Participatory Forest Management: Perceptions and Opinions of Forest-dependent Communities in Tanzania

Abstract

This study was initiated to provide information about people's perceptions and opinions about the implemented Participatory Forest Management (PFM) programmes in Tanzania. It also sought to find out the factors that influence households' perceptions about the success of PFM programmes. Data for this study was obtained from a random sample of l ,023 households in Morogoro and Tanga districts. Descriptive results show that households perceive the PFM initiatives as being successful with positive impact to the community but also feel that they are not given enough opportunity to participate in decision making. The Multinomial Legit regression results show that households' perceptions on the success of the PFM programmes are influenced by spatial characteristics, livestock ownership and dependence on fuelwood. The findings in this article could be used by government and other stakeholders to improve on the way they deliberate on PFM issues and to address appropriate forest management practices.