Perceptions of communities adjacent to Mabira central forest reserve on the use of collaborative forest conservation approaches.

Abstract

Collaborative forest conservation helps to ensure sustainable forest conservation and improved livelihoods of the local communities especially adjacent to the forest through sustainable utilization of forest resources. Using a qualitative case study design, this study aimed to explore the perspectives of communities adjacent to Mabira Central Forest Reserve on using a collaborative forest conservation approach. The study benefited from 12 participants who were purposively selected and interviewed through which they provided their insights in line with the study objectives. The study found out that, although communities adjacent to Mabria Central Forest Reserve participated in various collaborative activities, the swinging attitudes of some community members towards engaging in conservation activities remains a hindrance to long-standing conservation outcomes. This study therefore established that collaborative forest conservation is a process whose success depends on a number of factors including among others the communities’ attitude towards it and the management structure. The study recommends strengthening capacity and engagement of the responsible bodies (such as NFA), enforcing strict laws, and promoting progressive/phased approach to CFM and strengthening grassroots CFM networks/platforms.