19 March 2014
CIFOR Reports on USAID-funded REDD+ Project in Zambia
story highlights

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) published a brochure that reports on the implementation of the U.S.

Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Nyimba Forest Project in support of REDD+ in Zambia.

Cifor-logoMarch 2014: The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) published a brochure that reports on the implementation of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Nyimba Forest Project in support of REDD+ in Zambia.

CIFOR underscores that Zambia currently has one of the world’s highest deforestation rates, driven by a high reliance on forest wood fuel and charcoal, as well as forest encroachment. To address such challenges, the CIFOR-led project has: supported the development of Zambia’s national REDD+ strategy; researched rural livelihood strategies and forest management approaches; suppored community-based forest monitoring; and developed forest models linked to satellite data.

The brochure takes particular note of the engagement of local communities through the training of representatives from chiefdoms in village-based forest research. Training also included the use of research technologies such as global positioning systems (GPS), digital cameras, and a variety of questionnaires.

According to the brochure, the engagement of stakeholders was a key criteria in the success of the project. In addition to the chiefdom representatives, the project successfully engaged the district women’s association, local and district government agencies, a youth organization and wildlife organizations and agencies.

The Nyimba Forest Project had a budget of US$3.1 million and was implemented from August 2012-March 2014. CIFOR is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). [Publication: Helping Zambia Benefit from REDD+] [Publication: Factsheet – Nyimba Forest Project]

related posts