Govt eyes joint REDD implementation

Dar es Salaam. The government admitted yesterday that there is poor coordination towards the planning and implementation of the REDD, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation.

Tanzania is in the initial process of implementing REDD, a mechanism designed to pay developing countries to protect their forests and reduce emissions of greenhouse gas pollutants, especially carbon dioxide.

“Coordination (between the government and other stakeholders such as civil societies and the private sector) has not been good so far,” the Director of Forestry and Beekeeping in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Felician Kilahama, told a monthly breakfast debate.

Dr Kilahama told the debate organised by Policy Forum, a network that works to open up and influence policy processes that improve the lives of all people, especially those who are socially disadvantaged and impoverished, in order to empower them to self-organise and become part of a social movement for change.   

The two-hour debate entitled: How do we confront the challenges in the politics of REDD was held at the British Council in Dar es Salaam and brought together development partners, environmental experts, civil society organisations and individuals.

Reacting to an observation made by a participant on the government’s non inclusion of representatives of CSOs, communities and the private sector from the climate change and REDD structure in Tanzania, Dr Kilahama said:
“We (the government) can now consider to engage other stakeholders in the task force overseeing the structuring of REDD because representation of the task force is limited to the government.”

He added that the government will convene a stakeholders meeting on REDD in February or March, this year, that will deliberate on what is happening, what should be done and come up with a draft strategy.

Dr Kilahama said there was a need to be extremely careful because once the cabinet approved the final strategy or parliament it would be difficult to amend it.

He said the participation and contribution of the civil society and the private sector was very important, adding: “REDD is not a simple matter. We need to finalise the strategy within a year from now.”

The executive director of the Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG), Mr Charles Meshack, said the climate change and REDD structure in Tanzania drew members from only government institutions.

These include the Vice-President Office (Division of Environment), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (Forestry and Beekeeping Division), the Prime Minister’s Office and the Zanzibar ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Environment.

Prof Pius Yanda, the executive director of the Institute of Research Assessment of the University of Dar es Salaam and secretary of the Secretariat to the National REDD Task Force, said the preparation of the national REDD strategy has taken into account all stakeholders, including civil societies, expert groups and the private sector.

“Let’s work as a team for a successful implementation of REDD,” said the don, adding: “All stakeholders’ concerns will be accommodated in the process.”