The role of communication, education and public awareness raising on community participation in forest management in Mufindi District, Tanzania

Abstract

A study was carried out to investigate the role of Communication, Education and Public Awareness raising (CEPA) on community participation in forest management in Mufindi District. The specific objectives were: To identify existing CEPA materials/channels and assess level of awareness on community participation in forest management, to determine the influence of CEPA and socio-economic factors on community participation in forest management, to compare community participation in forest management between government-facilitated villages and those facilitated by TFCG an NGO. A total of 120 households were randomly selected from four villages implementing CBFM namely Tambalang’ombe, Igombavanu, Ihanu and Mtwango. Primary data were collected using household questionnaires, checklist for key informants, participant observation, PRA techniques and field observations. Secondary data were collected through literature search. Data collected using PRA was analyzed by involving group discussion with local communities. Qualitative data and information from key informants was analysed using content and structural-functional techniques. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyze quantitative data. Multiple regression model was used to explore the relationship between community participation in forest management and CEPA and socio-economic factors. Results showed that existing CEPA materials/channels in the study villages were posters, meetings, seminars, video shows and radios. CEPA showed statistically significant (P<0.05) and positive influence on community participation in forest management and socio-economic factors like education level of respondents had positive and statistically significant (P<0.001) while household annual income was negatively statistically significant (P<0.01). Socio-economic factors i.e. duration of residence, household land ownership and availability of extension agents were positive but statistically insignificant on community participation in forest management. ii The study concluded that CEPA had positive significant role on promoting community participation in forest management and recommended that in order for any intervention on community participation to be successful, CEPA and socio-economic factors should be considered.