Reclaiming Ancestral Heritage: The Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) and People’s Access to Forest Resources

Abstract

Climate change poses challenge to the global society. Different measures have been set off in an attempt to address the problem. Among the recent adopted options is the “Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation” (REDD+). However, little evidence exists on how options such as REDD+ may impact on forest-dependent communities. Drawing evidences from a forest-dependant community in Kilosa, this study reveals the impact of REDD+ on community access and benefit from forest resources. The study used a qualitative approach to investigate local people’s perceptions of REDD+. About 33 respondents comprising village members, local leaders and forest managers were interviewed. Results from this study indicate that, REDD+ has limited the ways village members used to access and benefit from forest resources and therefore jeopardized their wellbeing. This study concludes that any measure taken to improve forest management should take into consideration forest- dependent communities’ contextual situation in order to enhance the wellbeing of community members.