Regardless the contribution of agriculture, Biodiversity loss, through land degradation and drought, is a serious threat to the sustainable development activities across the continent of Africa (unep.org) and Tanzania. But forests have contributed a lot to reduce the threat, when you speak of forest you are speaking of benefits like reducing global warming, absorb toxic gases & noise, reduce pollution, conserve soil, mitigate natural hazards, but it is impossible to speak of those benefits if we don’t speak tree planting. Deforestation ranks at the top in the global environmental agenda because forests provide goods and services which are crucial in enhancing the livelihoods of poor households and the national economy etc.
Unsustainable use of forests has resulted in severe environmental problems, especially land degradation which is manifested by soil erosion, desertification and general loss of productive potential in rural areas. According to World Bank 1992, Soil degradation has been the cause of deteriorating or declining yields in parts, especially on fragile lands from which the poorest farmers attempt to wrest a living. Deforestation has also affected water catchment areas and destroyed watersheds, affecting the quantity and quality of the water supplies. In some cases, deforestation has resulted in extraordinary floods and loss of life.
Tanzania, like many African countries has been experiencing rapid rates of deforestation. While nyumbaniculture is helping to answer the question of what could be the underlying forces behind the problem of deforestation in Tanzania? Nyumbaniculture foundation is playing a great role to reduce this gap by create awareness, by teaching students and other people, the importance of tree planting. Levels of awareness and sensitization of the advantages of land restoration through trees planting among some, must be given a priority.
