RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AREA
MAP 4.1: MAP OF KWAZULU-NATAL SHOWING THE LOCATION OF NHLAZUKA
5.4 Forest conservation and management measures employed
Most of these people, do find some of the medicinal plants in the forest plantations and they are harvested in the small indigenous forest adjacent to the Nhlazuka Mountain. Most of the respondents who indicated that conservation is important are also of the view that the exotic/ pine trees that are scattered around the community should be further protected as it is currently emphasized by some community members that these trees might be economically beneficial to the community in the future.
Those who consider conservation as not important are those respondents who raised concerns that in the Saint Bernard area the conservation of tree resources is not really necessary since there is a huge demand of wood products in this area and people will continue to use wood given the low incomes that most households receive. This group also involves those who are of the view that the exotic/pine trees that are scattered around the community are not necessary since they have already degraded water streams in the community, and thus it is increasingly becoming difficult for households and cattle to access water resources in the Saint Bernard community.
Some of the respondents among those who chose the "not applicable" response mentioned that the issue of protecting trees, especially the exotic/pine trees in the community has raised major differences among some community members and the committee which might impede progress in the community.
It should be noted, however, that the indigenous trees in this area are used by a few members of the community, mainly for harvesting medicinal plants. This is either because the entry to the area where these resources are located is difficult for some since it is adjacent to the mountain or it is because the community committee (since it is the main decision-making body in the community) emphasizes that the indigenous trees in the area should only be used for minor purposes such as the harvesting of medicinal plants but not fuelwood and other purposes that would demand much of these resources. The superstitions that there is a big snake in the Nhlazuka Mountain which does not need to be disturbed could also be one of the factors restricting access to the indigenous forest. As a result community members often resort to the use of wood resources from the adjacent forest plantations either through stealing or purchasing.
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Table 5.25: Perceptions about the conservation and management of forest resources (in %)
Perceptions
It protects biodiversity
Ensures sustainable livelihoods to local community Denies access to important resources
Not applicable
Total(n=50) 50 38 20 30
It is interesting that the respondents showed a good understanding of what the conservation and management of forests entail for the well-being of the natural environment and adjacent rural communities, such as that of Saint Bernard. While half of the respondents believed that forest conservation and management protects biodiversity, a significant proportion (38%) also mentioned that conservation and management of forest resources is important for both protecting biodiversity and supporting sustainable livelihoods. This indicates that projects that seek to promote the sustainable resource management such as forest resources are likely to be accepted by a significant proportion of the community members in Saint Bernard. Thirty percent of the respondents did not indicate their perception and chose a "not applicable" response. Moreover, 20% of the respondents perceived forest conservation as denying the community access to the important resources. Some of the respondents in the latter group made specific reference to the exotic/ pine trees that are degrading water resources in the community while eliminating opportunities for agricultural development, but yet are still being protected. These respondents are also of the view that the indigenous trees should be used since access to the plantations is sometimes difficult and they do not see any value that could be attached to these trees given the current situation in Saint Bernard.
Table 5.26: Perceptions pertaining to who monitors the cutting of trees and collection of firewood (in %)
Responses Do not know
Special forest guards Community members
Total(n=50) 8
54 38
As indicated earlier, the community is not allowed to harvest any resource except for minor products such as medicinal plants. It is therefore necessary to look at how the
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community is monitored in terms of harvesting of essential products in the indigenous forest and this also involves the monitoring of the small pockets of exotic trees that are being protected by some community members and the committee. The same applies to the forest plantations which belong to the private owners. It is necessary to ascertain as to which monitoring measures are being employed by the forests owners.
Fifty four percent of the respondents mentioned that there are special forest guards who monitor the plantation forests from the morning until the afternoon hours, but not at night. Hence, people often have an opportunity to steal during the night. On the other hand, 38% of the respondents mentioned that community members have a responsibility to monitor one another on how they harvest forest resources. Only 8%
percent of the respondents said that they do not know who is responsible for monitoring the cutting of trees and collection of firewood both in the plantations and within the community. These respondents are people who do not collect forest resources but rather buy from trucks or vans and hardly attend any community meetings.
Figure 5.8: Whether respondents had problems in getting access to natural forests in the past (in %) (n=50)
n o t
n o 9 6 %
applicable 4 %
ca not
• no
applicable
The vast majority of respondents (96%) mentioned that they were not restricted from accessing the natural forest in the community in the past. Access to the natural forest was, however, granted on the basis that the people should only cut dry wood. This management procedure still applies today. The other group of respondents (4%) did not respond. This group of respondents represents those people who have relocated to Saint Bernard recently.
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Table 5.27: Whether respondents cut live wood (in %) Responses
Yes
No _^
Sometimes
Total(n=50) 16 58 26
When asked if they cut live wood, 58% of the respondents stated no. This group represents those respondents who mentioned that live wood is often not suitable for cooking and heating purposes since these types of wood do not easily catch fire.
Twenty six percent of the respondents agreed that they sometimes cut live wood, especially if dry wood is scarce while 8% openly confessed that they often cut live wood. The latter group also mentioned that they do cut live wood when dry wood is scarce in the area but also when they steal wood at night since they cannot select trees.
All of the respondents agreed, however, that except for fuelwood purposes, they all cut live wood for construction purposes.
Figure 5.9: Whether respondents experience scarcity of wood to provide for their needs (in %) (n=50)
yes
no
sometimes
10%
44%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
The above figure indicates that 46% of the respondents do not have a problem of wood scarcity in the Saint Bernard area and 44% have mentioned that they sometimes experience the problem. Only 5% of the respondents have agreed that they often experience wood scarcity in the Saint Bernard area, especially during the seasons
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when access to the plantations is difficult. Most of the respondents who mentioned that they do not have a problem with wood scarcity are those who hardly collect these resources themselves but often prefer to buy from the selling trucks. Some people mentioned that the scarcity of wood products is influenced by the number of people available in the household to collect and the distance involved.