The Contribution of Rural Communities to Conservation of Mangrove Forests A Case Study of Pangani District, Tanzania

Abstract A study paper on contribution of rural communities to conservation of mangrove forests is conducted in Pangani District, North Eastern Coast of Tanzania and covered two divisions namely as Pangani and Mwera. The objectives of the study is to identify the activities of rural communities m conservation of mangrove forests in Pangani district, to determine the impact of the rural community actions to conservation of mangrove forests and to identify challenges to rural communities in conservation of mangrove forests. The target areas for the study were communities and mangrove forests. Data was collected using questionnaire, interview, observation, literature review and uses of secondary sources of qualitatively using statistical data such as tables and charts. A total of fifty (50) respondents were random sampled and interviewed through prepared questionnaires and data are collected. Communities' actions for conservation of mangrove forests it include patrol to watch mangrove forests, replacement of mangrove trees and sustainable conservation of mangrove forests. Results indicated that there is high deforestation of mangrove forests in these areas, from over harvesting of mangrove trees for daily human activities. Also it was found that fuel wood, building poles, timber and beehive are the some of the human practices which causes low sustainable of mangrove forests conservation. The study also presents challenges facing rural communities in conservation of mangrove forests, such as shortage of extension workers, lack of projects dealing with conservation of mangrove forests, lack of laws and polices for reinforcement conservation of mangrove forests, lack of other alternative for rural communities income generation and low knowledge and skill on mangrove forests conservation. The problems identified through related and it was realized that rural community contributions to conservations of mangrove forests was poor. Therefore, there is need to