The East Usambara forests in northeastern Tanzania are part
of the Eastern Arc mountains. More than one hundred years of
biological interest and research have shown that these forests have
a unique diversity of flora and fauna, and an exceptionally high
degree of endemism. They have gained global recognition as being
part of a Biodiversity Hotspot [Conservation
International], an
endemic Bird Area [BirdLife], a Centre of Plant Diversity [WWF and
IUCN] and a Globally Important Ecoregion [WWF]. Since 1990, the East
Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme [EUCAMP - formerly
known as the East Usambara Catchment Forest Project, or EUCFP] has
worked in the East Usambara Mountains with the mission to protect
these natural forests. The project is implemented by the Forestry
and Beekeeping Division [FBD] of the Ministry of Natural Resources
and Tourism of Tanzania [MNRT], with financial support from the Government of
Finland and the European Commission, and technical assistance from Metsähallitus
Consulting.
The overall objective of EUCAMP is to ensure
effective conservation of forests in the East Usambaras for
preservation of biological diversity and promotion of sustainable
catchment forestry and land use management for the benefit of local
and global communities
In order to gain the overall objective the programme is planned to
achieve five results, which deal with management of East Usambara Man and
Biosphere (MAB) Reserve, strengthening of village forest reserves and farm forestry,
improving the management of national catchment forest reserves,
management of Amani Nature Reserve to support ecotourism, research
and training, and strengthening
of research and monitoring systems relevant for forest conservation
and management.
The conservation status of East Usambara forests was upgraded in November 2000
through designation of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Reserve.
MAB–concept has now been taken as an overall framework for EUCAMP
activities that reconciles the biodiversity conservation with the
maintenance of sustainable livelihood of local communities.
Dr. Veli Pohjonen, Chief Technical Adviser
Lema Mathias, Programme Manager
East Usambara Conservation Area Management
Programme
P.O. Box 1449
Tanga, Tanzania Tel / Fax: +255 27 2646907
E-mail: usambara@twiga.com
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