Download When is Conversion Justified?

When is Conversion
Justified?
The Case of KVTC in Tanzania
Principle 6.10 v Principle 10.9
Criterion 6.10
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FSC Criterion 6.10
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Forest conversion to plantations or non-forest land uses
shall not occur, except in circumstances where
conversion:
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a)
entails a very limited portion of the forest management
unit; and
b)
does not occur on high conservation value forest areas;
and
c)
will enable clear, substantial, additional, secure, long
term conservation benefits across the forest management unit.
Environmental, Biodiversity and Social Benefits.
Social Benefits
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Population of the Kilombero Valley c50000
GDP of the Valley cUS$100
Percentage of GDP directly attributed to KVTC 10%
Economic multiplier effect of c2 means in total 20% of economic activity is
related to the project.
500 Full time equivalent posts involving up to 2000 people each year. Each
person employed supports about 5 dependents.
In the communities close to the forest 50% of people benefit directly from
the company during a year.
Seasonal employment opportunities coincide with the period of food
shortage.
More than 80% of village government income comes from social funds and
village contracts. (Improved governance and decision making processes).
Development of stakeholder participation land use allocation plans for
villages supported by the company.
Environmental and Biodiversity
Benefits
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Protection of 75% of the area under management as miombo
forest. Unprotected areas are rapidly converted to shambas.
Protection of all areas identified as HCV
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Routine consideration of environmental and biodiversity issues
in planning using ISO14000 certified system
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Evergreen Forest
Raphia farinifera swamps
Wildlife population refuges
Archaeological heritage sites
Of areas pre-identified as being suitable for teak between 40 & 50%
excluded for environmental and biodiversity reasons
Restoration of degraded miombo to a productive and high
biodiversity state
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Research Programmes
The Result (2001 image)
Area to be
restored to
Miombo
Teak
Pre 2001
Area lost to
Shambas
2001 - 2004
Shambas