I recently visited the Kazimzumbwi Reserve Forest located about 40 km west of Dar es Salaam. This remnant of coastal forests covers about 4800 hectares and lies at the altitude of between 120-280m above the sea level, receiving an average of 1250mm rainfall annually. Generally, the situation of Kazimzumbwi is alarming as people continually keep encroaching into it, thus reducing it in both size and vegetation population.

Human activities such as charcoal burning, tree cutting for timber, building materials and firewood keep endangering the forest along with its various species including 170 plants, 35 mammals, 28 reptiles, 19 amphibians and 140 butterflies. Indicators of climatic changes taking place in the area include: shortened rain reasons resulting in crop failure and hardships in obtaining water for human and animal consumption; and reduced river streams.

The ever expanding Dar es Salaam population along with poverty engulfing the people residing in the villages in and about the forest, lack of commitment on the side of the authorities in keeping the forest from the reach of some greedy people all contribute to the victimization of the forest. People living in villages in and about the forest continue becoming even poorer with each passing day while at the same time the forest keep diminishing.

This trend leaves no option for people to try and get out of the vicious circle. Creation of new income earning activities for both the city dwellers and people inhabiting the villages in and about the forest could help in preserving the forest and all its wealth for both the current and future generations.