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   John Lucas, a farmer and small trader from Kazimzumbwi, one of two coastal forest reserves in the Kisarawe district of eastern Tanzania, has seen the impact of environmental degradation. Once, John fished in the Mzinga River, which supplied water for domestic use and to irrigate his vegetables.However, increased deforestation threatens the Mzinga River, which has become contaminated and unsafe to drink, The soil has also been degraded, affecting agricultural production. Pugu, the other forest, and Kazimzumbwi, which is only 20 kilometres from the capital of Dar es Salaam, are remnants of one of the world’s oldest forests, which once covered the east coast of Africa from Mozambique to Kenya. Forty years ago, the forests were home to hippos, lions, cheetahs, and black and white colobus monkeys. These old patches of forest are rich in endemic plants and animal life. They are also important to the communities in the area, which depend on the forest for firewood, poles, medicinal plants, fruits, fodder, vegetables and the gathering of mushrooms. In developing countries, 80 to 95 percent of the population depends on firewood or charcoal as their main source of cooking or heating fuel. Increased population and new economic policies since the 1980s have had an impact on the forests and on John’s livelihood. Trade liberalization and the involvement of the private sector, has meant a greater demand for forestry products and a doubling in exports to markets in Africa, Asia and Europe. John is chairman of the environmental conservation group in Kazimzumbwi village. In the past, they could harvest more rice and fish but a tremendous fall in the water level threatens these activities.Now the group is monitoring uncontrolled cutting of trees around the river. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is sponsoring six projects to assess the impact of trade liberalization on the environment in developing countries. In Tanzania, UNEP is focusing on policies that will prevent further degradation of the forests. John is confident that he will benefit from sustainable forest management because it will protect the resources on which he depends on for his livelihood. The Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST) has provided funds for 8 forest guards for the Pugu and Kazimzumbwi forest reserves. They have arrested illegal loggers and charcoal burners and greatly reduced the level of illegal activities in the forests. The World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) has provided housing, bicycles and uniforms for the guards. Since 1993, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have supported regional and district Natural Resource Offices in Tanzania. FIND OUT MORE about how the UNEP works to protect the planet's biodiversity and about the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Go to the links next to the picture of John and the other members of Kazimsumbwi’s conservation group. ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENT STORIES: Kobe Lee and Martin are undercover | Born to be wild
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