GRI - Strengthening local institutional structures and empowering local communities for better governance of natural resources + livelihood Forest ecosystems like other natural resources in ASALs are more vulnerable and susceptible to both natural and human related degradation. ASAL are characterised by high level of poverty over-exploitation of natural resources since the people draws their l
ivelihoods directly from the natural resources base.As the availability and quality of natural resources decline due to the natural and human-induced pressures in this area so does the viability and security of their livelihoods. With limited capacities an
d resources at their disposal to respond to stresses such as droughts famine and floods their ability to meet basic needs and move out of poverty is constrained. Sustainable management of Kibauni catchment requires a cocktail of approaches and intervention
s beyond what has been supported in the past. Demand for wood as end use energy (fuel wood and charcoal) for domestic use and for construction material remains as one of the key challenge to sustainable management of Kibauni catchment. Therefore future sup
port need to utilize past gains of enhanced community participation in natural resources management and governance as a platform to support strategies to avert dependence of the communities on the fragile ecosystem for wood and wood energy. This will be th
rough interventions further strengthen community governance structures promote adoption of on-farm agro-forestry systems woodlot establishment on farm and in schools adoption of energy efficient cooking stoves nature based enterprises and capacity building
. This will ensure sustainable production and utilization of wood on-farm and schools and therefore alleviating community pressure on the Kibauni forest for provision of forest products. Furthermore the initiatives are also aimed at improving the livelihoo
ds of the community and therefore enhancing their resilience to the effects of climate change.