Barriers to equity: investigating community challenges in accessing and benefiting from forest resources in Manyoni, Tanzania

Abstract

Manyoni District’s inhabitants depend on forests for food, fuel, and money, showing the intricate relationship between natural ecosystems and human well-being. Forests sustain local livelihoods and biodiversity, but demographic factors, legal frameworks, and benefit-sharing mechanisms have not been thoroughly studied in Manyoni district. Our study examines the obstacles to fair and equal access to and sharing of natural resource benefits in Manyoni, Tanzania. The mixed-methods study uses quantitative data and qualitative interviews to gather data on forest access challenges, main benefits, legal restrictions, and benefit sharing that affect community access. The study indicates complex results on age, gender, marital status, and education against forest resource use. More resources are used every day by 46‐65‐year‐olds. The majority of women use daily, demonstrating how gender affects resource consumption. Marriage and education further distinguish consumption patterns, showing that social roles and education affect forest resource availability and dependency. The study suggests that women and less educated people depend more on forests. Accessibility requires sensitive policy changes to legal and benefit-sharing restrictions. It balances environmental conservation and community rights for sustainable management and fair access.