The impact of Households Fuel Wood Energy Consumption to Forest Resources: A Case Study Ruangwa District

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of household fuel wood energy dependency on village trees in Ruangwa District. The study's specific
 goals were to identify energy sources in Ruangwa District, investigate the
 consequences of home energy dependency on trees in rural areas, and evaluate strategies to alleviate the effects of household energy dependency on forests. The study used a case study in southern Tanzania to examine the effects of household fuel wood energy dependency on forest resources. The study sample constituted
 96 local forest resource stakeholders. Purposive and non-probability sampling techniques were employed in data collection. Both quantitative and qualitative
 methodologies were used. Closed and open-ended questionnaires were used to
 collect both primary and secondary data including relevant documents related to village forest resource production, sales patterns, and resource control. The study established that, charcoal and firewood were the primary sources of cooking energy. Also, lack of knowledge and household poverty had a significant impact on forest management and control. The study concluded that, poverty was the primary factor driving household reliance on charcoal and firewood compounded by forest management authorities restricting local communities from extracting essential forest products; and lack of education on the importance of conserving trees in the local environment. Recommended that, local communities should be educated on the negative fuel wood human activities to the environment specifically excessive tree cutting for fuel wood energy. Besides, villages around forest resources and forest management on authority should jointly draw regulations and supervision mechanisms sustainable use of forest resources and products.