By John Kabubu, WWF Coastal East Africa Communications



The sound of a saw cutting deep into the kiaat tree (Pterocarpus angolensis, also called “bloodwood”) in a forest in Kisangi village fills the air. Sweat drips from the body of 56-year-old Rafii Hashim as he pushes the saw rhythmically back and forth to ensure a smooth cut. The birds are chirping, the forest air is clean and the lungs present are only too happy not to be breathing in the heavy and polluted city air. As the saw cuts through the tree, it bleeds a deep red color. It’s not unusual for the kiaat tree to release red colored sap from its trunk when cut.



The harvesting of trees in Kisangi village goes on in an orderly manner and without fear. This is because all activities being undertaken are legal and sanctioned by both government and the community. FSC certification is slowly taking root in some villages around Kilwa and Lindi districts in southern Tanzania.



Communities are beginning to realize the benefit of conserving their forests and putting a leash on illegal trade in timber. Despite this step in the right direction, it is worthy noting that it hasn’t always been as such in rural Tanzania.



A change for the better



Rafii Hashim bears an optimistic look on his face as he speaks to us about FSC certification and the challenges they experienced before coming to the decision to harvest their timber in a sustainable manner.



“Before FSC, we used to get 100 Tanzanian shillings per tree and this wasn’t always guaranteed since most of this timber was being harvested illegally. This money was not enough for us to do anything,” says the father of 13 children.



Today, the story is different for Rafii and the people of Kisangi village. After receiving education on how to manage and care for forests from the WWF-supported Mpingo Conservation and Development Initiative, Rafii and his fellow villagers are beginning to reap the fruits of their hard labour.



“This thing called FSC has helped us conserve our forests better. It has helped us know when it is right to harvest and when it is not. We are now making over 100,000 Tanzanian shillings for every cubic meter we harvest. All this knowledge will help us harvest our trees in a way that doesn’t harm the forest and ensure that even our children will have a forest to enjoy,” he says.



The forest in and around Kisangi village is indeed a lifeline for the communities that reside there. The money generated from sustainable harvesting of trees has the support of government. According to the National Participatory Forest Management Coordinator Joseph Kigula, the government gains when communities advance.



“This is their money and their forest. They decide when and how to use the revenue collected from sustainably sourced trees. We are not losing as a government because the villagers here are part of the government. In fact, they are the government,” says Kigula, explaining the benefits of the project.



Living in harmony with nature



The residents of Kisangi village are mainly farmers who grow maize, rice and the cash crop sesame seed. The forest around the village also has many benefits to the community. According to Rafii, the benefits of having a healthy forest cannot be underscored enough.



“We use the forest for many things. Many stomach ailments in my household are treated using medicine from the forest, from roots and leaves that make our children stronger. Today, our forests are even more beneficial to us after the education we have received so far to open our eyes and mind. We are able to build our schools and hospitals now with money from the forest. We did not know how valuable our forests were until we received education from Mpingo Conservation and Development Initiative,” notes Rafii.



It is this education that has kept illegal activities in the forest at bay and given an incredible drive and willpower to Rafii and the people in his village to protect the forest from illegal activity.



“Before, both outsiders and village insiders harvested trees illegally. Today, every villager watches the forest and takes care of it. We even want to increase the FSC certified acreage so that our villages can continue to benefit even more from our forests,” explains Rafii.



Worrying challenges remain 



“This is only our second harvest, and finding markets to sell our timber continues to be a big obstacle toward the development of the village,” he explains with a look of great concern on his face. This challenge could easily see the communities in Kilwa and Lindi districts revert to previous illegal activities and trade in timber.



A great tree has come crashing down, but the benefits of this project are evident. Hospitals, schools and other development projects will be carried out with funds from the sale of sustainably harvested timber. Communities will develop and forests will thrive – provided that markets are found for this community to keep FSC certification running on its own, sustainably.

Maputo, Mozambique, July 15th 2011 – WWF celebrated Mozambique’s strong engagement in conservation initiatives by delivering a ‘Gift to the Earth’, its highest awardfor publicly applauding a significant conservation achievement, to the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr. Armando Emílio Guebuza.



The Government of Mozambique was recognized today as a result of the Declaration of the Lake Niassa Aquatic Reserve and Ramsar site and of other conservation successes including the Declaration of the Ponto de Ouro Marine Reserve, the Extension of the Gorongosa Reserve Buffer Zone, the New Conservation Policy of the Republic of Mozambique and the “One Leader, One Forest”, and “One Student, One Tree” Initiatives.



”In the name of the Mozambican people I´d like to dedicate this prize especially to community leaders, teachers, students, professionals in the field of conservation, to the media and to the Mozambican people in general for the laboriousness work all have been doing for the protection of our natural resources”, said the President of Mozambique in his speech.



‘This decision culminates with a number of joint efforts carried out by the Government of Mozambique and WWF, aiming the reduction of poverty for local communities through the promotion of best practices in the use and management of lake´s biodiversity - this is by far the best gift Mozambican people could ever give to the lake’ said Florencio Marerua, WWF Mozambique Country Director.



The Gift to the Earth, symbolized in a certificate signed by Jim Leape, WWF International Director General, was delivered to the President of the Republic of Mozambique by Jean-Paul Paddack, Director, Global Initiatives at WWF International, during a ceremony that gathered WWF partners and Governments.



‘This celebration recognizes Mozambique’s significant contribution and commitment to the protection of the living world and that is clearly visible: from the declaration of the Quirimbas National Park, the Marromeu Ramsar Site and the Extension of the Bazaruto National Park, all between 2002 and 2003, and now with the Lake Niassa Reserve Declararion in June 2011, ’ said Paddack.



‘We hope that these important actions will be followed by the official declaration of the Primeiras and Segundas as a Marine Park – which would create the largest marine protected area (MPA) in the Western Indian Ocean Ecoregion. WWF will continue to work with the Government of Mozambique and population to monitor progress and assist where possible’ he said.



Lake Niassa is the third largest and the second deepest lake in Africa. It is also the southernmost lake in the Great Rift Valley system of East Africa. This great lake's tropical waters and shores are home to about 1000 species of cichlids (mostly endemics) and significant and diverse bird populations, mammals and reptiles.



The new Aquatic Reserve, announced in June of this year, is the first fresh water lake under protection in Mozambique covering an area of 47.8 thousand hectares adjoined by a buffer zone of another 89.3 thousand hectares. The area will be managed by the Ministry of Fisheries with support from the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry for Coordination of Environmental Affairs.



The main purposes of the new conservation area include the preservation and protection of the biodiversity of Lake Niassa and their resources in Mozambican coast, maintenance of the area’s ecological integrity and sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of present and future Mozambican generations.



The Government of Mozambique has also approved the Lake Niassa Reserve as a Ramsar site as it meets five of the eight criteria needed for acceptance to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. This wetland will be the second Ramsar site for Mozambique after the declaration of Marromeu Complex in 2003.



These commitments will ensure that the livelihoods of fisher communities are secured and priority is given to development options that maintain the resource while deriving benefits. For instance, due to its pristine environment, the Mozambican part of the Lake is regarded as the most beautiful attraction for future ecotourism options. The aquatic systems wisely used can make tremendous contribution to the fisheries economy and livelihoods.



 

By Ameen Ahmed



WWF-India and authorities join hands with communities for long-term conservation of the River Kosi-Baur corridor near Corbett Tiger Reserve



The Terai Arc landscape, shared by India and Nepal, sits at the base of the Himalayas. It is one of the few places in the world where wild tigers, elephants and rhinos still roam. At the heart of the Terai Arc are Corbett Tiger Reserve and the surrounding forests, where a substantial part of WWF-India’s conservation efforts are focused. The forests in the landscape are facing threats like never before: fragmentation and loss of wildlife corridors, unsustainable land-use policy, human-wildlife conflict, overuse of forest resources. Also, poaching of wildlife – both prey and their predators – remains a serious risk to the region’s famed biodiversity.



In 2006, WWF began working with the village of Mankanthpur in the Kosi-Baur wildlife corridor. This village is located in the middle of the elephant and tiger movement area, and is among the top 20 sites for human-tiger conflict.



Women at risk

At first, WWF staff had to earn the trust of community members, understand their livelihoods and routines, and figure out how to minimize the risk of contact with wild tigers. It became clear that women faced the greatest danger, because it was their responsibility to go to the forest to collect firewood and cattle fodder.



Frequent forest fires, caused by the large amount of leaf litter on the forest floor, also threatened the community. Was there some way to keep women safe, and reduce the risk of forest fire? Sometimes you have to look for unlikely solutions.



At the same time WWF was working to protect tigers and reduce human-wildlife conflict, the Indian government was training communities on composting to improve farm yields. WWF asked the forest department to allow community members to remove leaf litter from the areas most prone to forest fires. The leaf litter went to the compost pile, and the forest was less likely to go up in flames during the hot, dry summer months. 



“WWF-India’s team worked with the Forest Department and the communities to devise a way for the villagers to extract resources from the forest in a sustainable way. Lopping and cutting of wood was prohibited and only fallen branches could be removed. The communities were also informed that they would not be allowed to use certain sections of the forest, the main corridors used by tigers. As you can imagine, they readily agreed. It was also agreed in the village meetings that only the forest fringes would be used to extract the fallen wood, and that each village would extract fodder and firewood just two or three days a week,” says Dr. KD Kandpal, Landscape Coordinator, WWF-India’s Terai Arc Landscape project.



To compensate for the loss of some firewood, WWF has promoted biogas stoves, which have multiple benefits. The cattle are now kept in pens, so people can collect the dung needed to run the biogas stoves. This has decreased the pressure on forests, as there are hardly any cattle grazing inside them. It is also safer for the cattle; in 2006 there were 15 cattle killed by wild carnivores; this dropped to below 10 in 2007 and in 2010 there were only three cattle kills reported on the periphery of the village.



Residents of Mankanthpur village have now become part of community forest patrolling team, along with the Forest Department officials. This has increased the efforts to combat poaching and encroachment, and other unwanted interferences in the forests. Because of their close ties to the forest, residents were able to inform WWF staff that people from other villages were extracting firewood and fodder from the off-limits wildlife corridors. WWF-India’s team approached the authorities along with Mankanthpur villagers to stop this, and the Forest Department ordered the range officer to keep people out of these sensitive and dangerous areas.



A final measure of the success of this project is the absence of retaliatory killing of carnivores by the villagers of Mankanthpur, despite a recent survey showing the presence of tigers in all sections of this forest landscape.



KD Kandpal adds, “The future looks bright for the tigers of this area. The recent tiger survey in the adjacent Ramanagar forest division revealed a density of 12 tigers per 100 sq. km. WWF-India has taken a step forward and started similar work this year in the nearby Pawalgarh village. Our aim is to ensure the corridors are kept for good for generations to come.”

By Ameen Ahmed



WWF-India helps provide renewable energy lighting and electricity to remote communities



The Sundarbans in India is a vast mangrove forest – a place where rivers and the sea meet and nourish a vibrant yet fragile ecosystem. Home to myriad reptiles, birds and the iconic and endangered tiger, the Sundarbans also has many human residents. It remains, however, an energy-deficient region, with many communities yet to be connected to the conventional power grid.



According to a study, 18 villages coming under the purview of the Sundarbans Development Area are not likely to be electrified through conventional power, at least in the near future. Given this scenario, one solution is local, decentralized power generation using renewable sources like solar, wind or biomass. WWF-India, in collaboration with The Centre for Appropriate Technology, Australia’s indigenous science and technology organisation, is implementing the Bush Light India Project to demonstrate and assess a model for the electrification of remote villages in the Sundarbans using renewable energy.



In March 2011, a solar power station was set up at Rajat Jubilee village. This project is unique, as it is owned and managed by a cooperative in which all consumers are shareholders. WWF-India took the lead in facilitating community mobilisation, including the village energy planning process. In addition, WWF-India assisted and supported the community to establish the institutional structures required to manage the system for the 15 years of its design life.



Lighting to reduce human-wildlife conflict

Most of us don’t need to think very hard to name the benefits of electricity in our lives. For some communities in the Sundarbans, a simple streetlight can be a lifesaver. In the villages adjoining the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, we installed 20 solar streetlights. To ensure security of the systems, WWF-India provided one home light connection to each of the individual households that were the immediate beneficiaries of the streetlights, thus making them accountable for the systems.



Before installation of each solar streetlight, an agreement was signed with local leaders, forest department officials and community representatives. The responsibilities detailed in the agreement have been performed successfully by each organization, and the systems are functioning well. There have been no incidences of tigers straying out of the reserve into the villages where the lights are installed.



Even when some of the streetlights were destroyed by a cyclone, none of the materials supporting the systems – modules, batteries, solar panels – were lost, because all was kept in safe custody by the immediate beneficiaries. This proved the communities’ commitment to maintaining the system, and prompted authorities of the tiger reserve to come forward to pay for the repair and reinstallation of the lights. The repaired lights are working to date.



Shakila Bibi is a resident of Kalitala village, adjoining Sundarbans Tiger Reserve. She says: “A narrow creek separates our village from the forest, and earlier there was no light at night in the area where I lived. Tigers would frequently visit our village under the cover of darkness. WWF-India provided me a combined solar light connection (a streetlight and home light). The streetlight was installed in front of my house, and now the tigers stay away. I am also happy with the home light connection. When the cyclone damaged the system on my street, I kept the materials at a safe place with the hope that they would be re-installed. I am happy that the light was repaired.”

Alicante (Spain), July 15th 2011 – WWF Solar, a sun-fuelled catamaran, will sail of today for a two month journey along the Spanish Mediterranean coast, raising awareness for the need to move towards a 100% renewable world.



The boat, a 14 m catamaran equipped with a 65 square meter solar panel roof, is powered solely by the light of the sun.





As an “ambassador in motion” for WWF campaign “Renowatio, muévete con el Sol” - RenoWatio, Move with the Sun – the boat will travel the Spanish coast stopping in the main coastal towns highlighting the benefits of renewable energy resources among locals and tourists.



“It’s essential that Spain leads the way when it comes to changing the current energetic model. We can’t keep on relying on fossil fuels, so it’s crucial to count on society’s support and trust in renewable energies” explains Juan Carlos del Olmo, Chief Executive at WWF Spain.



“Our goal is a 100% renewable country in 2050, and this solar catamaran, today, is our best ambassador on the quest for a cleaner future”



A recent WWF study revealed that there is still a high degree of confusion in society when it comes to renewable energies. The aim of the RenoWatio campaign is to address people’s doubts and set the record straight - clean energies are not more expensive, or unable to supply the electrical demand of a whole country.



From July 15th to September 15th WWF Solar will stop at 9 coastal destinations, traveling a distance of 1’000 nautical miles. During the four day stopovers, activities will be proposed by a group of WWF staff and volunteers, both on the boat and at the Panda stand.



WWF will display solar powered ovens and participants will have the opportunity to build miniature wind turbines or attend a lecture. They will also get a chance to sail on board of WWF Solar.



The campaign is also greatly aimed at children. For the youngest, there will be experiment workshops where they’ll be able to build and use their own solar toys.



Thanks to the collaboration of the company ByD, the campaign will use an electric car prototype, to make sure all road journeys are also emission-free. The model F3DM uses two electrical engines and the latest Dual Mode technology.



About WWF Solar



• Model: Aquabus C60

• Length: 14 m Beam: 6.6 m Draft: Max. 1 m

• Weight: Aprox. 12 tons.

• Engine: 2 electric engines, 8 Kw each

• Battery: 520 Ah/C5, 2 lead battery storage 48 V DC

• Autonomy: Cruise speed 5 knots during max of 18h (90 nautical miles) in the dark.

• Solar panels: 2 x 5 Kw, aprox. 65 m2

• Speed: Max 7 knots (aprox. 13 km/h. Regular cruise speed 5 knots (aprox. 9 km/h).

• Max. people on board when sailing: 12

• Cabins: 2 double cabins + kitchen + bathroom



A brief history of WWF Solar



WWF Solar is the organization’s flagship. It’s only power source is the light of the sun shining on its 65 square meter solar panel roof. The boat sails the ocean without any nasty pollution, noise or smells.



WWF Solar will cruise Spain’s most beautiful landscapes and crucial coastal areas, from an environmental point of view. The boat will cast the spotlight on the need of solar energy on the fight against climate change, one of the main threats in the Mediterranean region.



In 2007 the Swiss foundation, Transatlantic21 showed the World that it was actually possible to sail across the Atlantic Ocean without any fossil fuels and pledged the commitment to the modernization of the current energy patterns.



It took 7.000 miles and 5 months, from Basilea (Switzerland) to Seville (Spain) and then across the seas arriving at the Caribbean and finally New York. The boat entered the Guinness Book of Records as the first solar catamaran to cross the Atlantic Ocean



The dream of crossing the Atlantic under the sun was made possible thanks to the vision and the funds donated by the Margarethe und Rudolf Gsell-Stiftung Foundation, to whom WWF Spain wishes to show their appreciation. Without their contribution, this campaign would not be happening.