Contribution of community forest management groups to effective forest conservation. A case study of the Mwamba Community Forest in Kasama, Zambia

Abstract

Forests play vital roles in the survival of people globally. Despite their usefulness, the loss of forests has not slowed. Hence, various approaches have been used to enhance their management. Effective forest management is key to food security and stability of national economies. The quest for efficient and sustainable management of forested areas has led to the surge in research exploring the involvement of local people in forest management. This study aimed to assess the contribution of community forest management groups in effective forest conservation. Several research questions were asked to explore the subject: What are the approaches used to sustainably manage the Mwamba Community Forest and how effective are they? What challenges are faced to achieve sustainable forest management? What strategies are used to overcome the challenges faced in managing forests in a sustainable manner? This study targeted 127 household respondents living around the Mwamba Community Forest, together with key informants. The mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies was used. Questionnaires were administered to collect data from respondents. The variable parameters were analysed using Excel and IBM SPSS statistic 26. The effectiveness of the approaches in managing the natural resources in the forest were confirmed by 84% of the respondents, but 11% disagreed, and 5% were indecisive. The study also revealed various forest management activities being practiced, such as woodlot management, beekeeping, and gardening. The study recommends that the government build capacity in the local communities through training, financial empowerment, and incentives.