Abstract
This study was designed with the aim of establishing a comprehensive picture of the problems and needs of local communities in upholding sustainable livelihoods in the face of forest degradation and recommending how their livelihoods may be improved in the short and long term.  Thus make them self-reliant by enhancing their resilience.  Study Methodology: included a literature review and a household survey for a total of 443 household interviews. In addition, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted with the rural population and other stakeholders respectively. Field visits were made to all the 8 sites in the two districts Serenje and Chitambo. The main constrain of sustainable livelihood in the communities, included, low levels of education and skills, low levels of asset holding, weak local institutions and unfavorable legal and institutional frameworks. But the respondents registered a wide variety of NTFPs based livelihoods obtained from forests resources (15). Most important usage includes land for cultivation, fuelwood, poles for construction, charcoal production and use of NTFPs (collection of mushrooms, wild fruits and nuts, caterpillars, honey production and medicinal plants). The livelihood activities remains largely subsistence and for safety net functions. Trade resulting into incomes generation is minimal, unstructured and therefore unsustainable. In conclusion: commercialization of NTFPS and PES activities may be the solution to sustainable livelihood and forest conservation. A range of specifically forest sector elements would also need to be addressed, including, entrepreneurship, market and skill development for forest product and services delivery; embracing these elements will also require new kinds of enhanced institutional arrangement.
Highlights
Zambia’s forested land cover comprises about 60% of her land mass of which; miombo woodland is the most extensive forest ecosystem in Zambia (Kalinda, et al, 2013, Campbell et al, 2008)
Central Province of Zambia has over the years experienced accelerated deforestation rates mainly due to fuelwood and charcoal production and agricultural expansion with little effort put into regeneration of the indigenous forests
The findings presented are based primarily on data collected from a sample of male and female respondents from the project sites
Summary
Zambia’s forested land cover comprises about 60% of her land mass of which; miombo woodland is the most extensive forest ecosystem in Zambia (Kalinda, et al, 2013, Campbell et al, 2008). The current forest utilization has resulted in continued deforestation, estimated at a rate of 250,000 to 300,000 hectares per year (Jayne, et al, 2014, GRZ, 2006). In central province the forest exists in both protected forest areas (20%) and open areas on customary lands (80%). Most of this deforestation occurs on customary lands where there is a tradition management regime in place mostly facilitating open access conditions (GRZ 2014). Central Province of Zambia has over the years experienced accelerated deforestation rates mainly due to fuelwood and charcoal production and agricultural expansion with little effort put into regeneration of the indigenous forests. Owing to its proximity to the Capital City Lusaka and other urban areas where fuelwood demand is highest
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