The total area of the East Usambara mountains is about 100,000 hectares, of which some 45,000 hectares is covered by forests. Presently about 33,000 hectares is within the central government forest and nature reserves, scattered in 13 forest blocks.

Geologically the mountains are very old, at least 100 million years. The total area of African rain forests diminished due to cold and dry periods which started about 2.5 million years ago. The Indian Ocean maintained the moist climate required by the rain forests. The individual Eastern Arc mountains became isolated from the large African rain forests and finally from each other.

Through evolution new species were born and maintained; endemic species, which can today be found only in the East Usambaras or other Eastern Arc mountains. In the East Usambaras there are more than 3,500 plant species of which some 650 grow into tree size. The moist forests of the East Usambaras are also home for some 100 different mammals, 70 reptiles, 50 amphibians, 350 birds and 350 butterflies.

From Forest Exploitation to Nature Conservation
Man has been living in the East Usambaras for at least 2000 years. The history of Washambaa kingdom, which governed the area in the 18^th and 19^th centuries is quite well documented. The East Usambaras were rather lightly populated till the beginning of 20^th century and still carried very extensive tracts of forests.

German East Africa founded in 1902 a biological and agricultural research station in Amani in order to carry out research and provide information on introduction of exotic species in fields cleared from natural forests. This time an extensive botanical garden was also established. A railway was built up to Sigi to transport timber to the port of Tanga.

The Germans established coffee plantations in the main plateau, which later during the British colonial time were gradually converted into tea fields. The tea plantations covering an area of about 2,200 hectares are still today a remarkable feature in the landscape and the tea industry is an important employer in the area.

Large-scale commercial timber exploitation was started in the late 1950’s as there was a demand for raw material for scentless tea-chests. A logging and wood industry company, Sikh Saw Mills was established in Tanga for processing the raw material from the East Usambaras into plywood and sawn wood.

Finland involved for the first time in the East Usambaras in 1977 - 1978 by carrying out a forest inventory. The inventory was renewed at the beginning of the 1980’s. Development of the forest industries was then the focal point in development co-operation. Forests were mainly considered as raw material to plywood and sawn wood industries. Sikh Saw Mills co-financed by the Finnish Government started to cut forests following the management plan based on the inventory. Then it was believed that the submontane rain forests sustain the heavy logging methods.

In the mid 1980’s the national and international concern on the effects of commercial loggings to the forests led to the termination of logging. Finland and Norway financed in 1986-1987 Amani Forest Inventory and Management Plan Project, which carried out a many-sided forest inventory and compiled a management plan for the forests in the East Usambaras. It was observed that the loggings had not been at sustainable basis, and that they jeopardized the existence of unique nature. The dangers were: decrease in biodiversity value, extinction of endemic species and the final destruction of the forests. The new management plan pointed out the nature conservation and the gentle management of watershed areas.

Conservation Projects
The plan served as a basis for the first phase of the East Usambara Catchment Forest Project (EUCFP, 1990-1994). It was implemented by the Forestry and Beekeeping Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism with the financial support from the Government of Finland. Technical assistance was given by Metsähallitus – Forest and Park Service of Finland. During the phase I of EUCFP valuable forest areas were included in the forest reserves and the boundaries of the reserves were marked. Forest destruction and degradation were controlled through strengthened law enforcement. The plans to establish the Amani Nature Reserve in the southern block of the East Usambaras were specified.

It was noted in the evaluation of phase I of the EUCFP that the local communities had not been involved adequately. The European Commission had started to support another project, the East Usambara Conservation and Development Project (EUCDP) in 1987. This project was implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development with the technical assistance of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The EUCDP was aiming at improving the living conditions of the local villagers in Amani Division through farm forestry and income generating activities in order to decrease the pressure on natural forests. However, it was obvious that the needs of the local communities should be better addressed also in the EUCFP.

Planning of the phase II of EUCFP (1995-1998) started in the final year of the phase I in 1994. The planning was conducted in a participatory manner involving local communities and other relevant stakeholders. The new project plan identified the local communities in the East Usambaras as the primary target group and more emphasis was put on farm forestry and improved land management activities, which were tested in some pilot villages. Another target group of the project was the 200,000 inhabitants of Tanga town, whose supply of water is dependent on the East Usambara mountains. Maintaining the forest and vegetation cover in the upper slopes in the upper slopes of the watershed secures the supply of good quality water. The main achievement during the phase II of EUCFP was the establishment of the Amani Nature Reserve in 1997. It is the first forest reserve in Tanzania to be managed for nature conservation. Systematic biodiversity surveys were also initiated during the phase II. These have been conducted in collaboration with Frontier Tanzania, a joint venture between the University of Dar es Salaam and the Society for Environmental Exploration.

For phase III of the project, the East Usambara Catchment Forest Project (EUCFP) and the East Usambara Conservation and Development Project (EUCDP) were structured under the umbrella of the East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme (EUCAMP, 1999-2002). The Forestry and Beekeeping Division of the Ministry of the Natural Resources and Tourism was given the responsibility of implementing all programme activities. The Government of Finland and the European Commission are providing financial support, and technical assistance is given by Metsähallitus Consulting. In EUCAMP, the pilot efforts from phase II have been consolidated under an overall Man and Biosphere (MAB) -strategy. Conservation activities is focussing on the establishment of the Derema corridor, which would connect Amani Nature Reserve to the northern forest blocks. Management of catchment forest reserves is improved by introducing joint forest management involving the local communities. Farm forestry and income generating activities are strengthened, and villagers are assisted in the establishment of village forest reserves. Systematic biodiversity surveys have continued so that by the end of 2002 the surveys will reached the full coverage over East Usambara forest reserves.

The versatile nature of the East Usambaras is important also in global perspective. External governmental and non-governmental organizations may help Tanzania in protection of this globally important asset. Conserving valuable natural resources is difficult for a country struggling with economical and social problems.