Decentralized Forest and other Natural Resources Management Programme

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

Although Zambia has one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, the poverty rate in rural areas - 77 % in 2011 - has not decreased and the gap between the wealthiest and poorest population is growing. There is a direct link between poverty and the status of environment and natural resources. Most of the rural population is highly dependent on forest resources for food security, e.g. non-wood forest resources (nuts, fruit, mushroom, caterpillars), on wood resources for constructions and as source of energy. Also in poverty stricken rural areas, extraction of trees for charcoal production and timber offer the main source of income. The use and management of forest and other natural resources in Zambia are complex and challenging for most stakeholders, especially for the local communities. This project is aimed at developing a mechanism that can address the difficulties faced by local stakeholders in forest and natural resources management and contribute to the sustainable use and management of forest and other natural resources.