Lindi earnings from timber increase

VILLAGERS from Kilwa District, Lindi Region, have earned over 110,000 US dollars (over 179.4m/-) from sales of timber to international markets since receiving endorsement from Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC).

Mpingo Conservation and Development Initiative (MCDI) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jasper Makala, said several villages have joined Kikole village which was the first to get FSC endorsement in 2009.

“We have expanded our FSC group certificate scheme now covering 100,20 hectares of forest and more villages,” said Mr Makala who further noted that the villages are also poised to earn cash from Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD).

Most of the timber is exported to Britain where it is used as raw material for windwood instruments manufacturing. Kikole village was also the first village to join Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) group certificate scheme, joining the group in September 2009.

As of mid 2013 Kikole has earned 7,963,520/- (USD 4,913) from the sale of FSC-certified timber. “The communities used their profits in a variety of ways, including:

To build three new primary school buildings, a teacher’s house and a village open market, dig four new boreholes and provide school uniforms to 200 primary school students, one nursery school and Health Insurance to 12 vulnerable community members,” Makala noted.

He said the villagers also purchased forest patrolling gear and motorbikes for easy transportation to the forests.

United Kingdom-based clarinet manufacturer, Hanson Clarinets was the first to receive FSC in March 2010, which allowed the company to purchase treated timber from Sandali Wood Industries of Tanga and is also an FSC certified processor of timber.

Kikole received a payment of around £1,200 in return for 15 cubic metres of African Blackwood sold in 2010 and was processed by Sandali Wood Industries Limited before being exported to Europe at the end of 2010.

SOURCE: DAILY NEWS

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