WWF PLANS TO BE AFFECTED BY MMP’S PROJECT

The plan for starting a baseline survey in Rufiji delta by World Wildlife Fund for Nature that will help residents to get paid  through REDD  has been affected because they have been refused by Mangrove Management Project officials to burn down  the farm huts and cutting down the coconut trees.

United Nations compensates communities for keeping the forests undamaged because they help absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and reduces global warming.

The villagers from Salale ward at the delta have welcomed the offer though not fully convinced because they accepted the idea of MMP 10 years ago but have been suffering from the outcomes. When MPP was introducing the project, the villagers were promised a number of benefits but they haven’t gained anything until today.

Jumanne Kinkumbi, Chairman of Nyamisati village, said though good stories have been said about WWF, the actions for MMP have made them not welcome any partner to touch their resources therefore it will be hard to convince them.

Around 10,000 villagers of Salale ward have lost more than 3,000 farm huts because MMP and armed policemen have invaded their paddy rice fields, set them on fire and cut down coconut trees because they want them to leave the forest reserve. This has made the work of WWF because the residents are scared of whoever approaches them.

Prof Mwakalla said the work for WWF was to start in November but because of the  forceful evictions have caused  chaos and panic therefore leading to frustration of their programme because they have to bring up new ideas to convince the community.