The National Forestry Programme

This is the draft National Forestry Programme and as such is a working document and not a formal programme document. It should not be interpreted as an approved programme of the Government of Swaziland or the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives until it has been finally agreed and adopted.

4 URBAN FORESTRY

Urban forestry can provide a variety of economic, social and environmental benefits to all inhabitants. Economic and social benefits include home consumption and sale of a variety of wood and non-wood products such as timber, fuelwood, fruit and other edibles, but also employment opportunities, improved health and well being, amenity, shade, shelter and recreation. Environmental benefits include conservation of biodiversity and important habitats, improved micro-climate, noise reduction, better control of disposed wastewater and overall hydrological balance.

The importance of retaining green belts and open spaces as part of the urban and peri-urban environment is acknowledged in the Swaziland Environment Action Plan (SEAP). Forests are an important part of green belts, which improve the quality of life. Urban forestry improves degraded urban environments, through trees and plants in private gardens, parks and other public places, and conserves valuable natural forests and woodlands in the peri-urban zone.

The Urban Forestry Action Programme is split into two strategies, each of them representing a group of actions.

Planning of urban and peri-urban forestry

Management of urban and peri-urban forestry

4.1 Planning of urban and peri-urban forestry

Lack of integrated urban forestry planning as part of holistic land use planning often results in conflicts of interest amongst stakeholders. It is essential that planning take place in an early stage of urban development, before irreversible changes in the forest coverage have occurred. All stakeholders should participate in the planning of urban forests and other green zones, including the urban and peri-urban dwellers, the urban local authorities (city councils and town boards), the peri-urban authorities – including traditional leaders –, the Government and non-governmental organisations.

4.1.1 Summary of key issues

The present and potential benefits of the economic, social and environmental functions of urban forestry are not sufficiently recognised.
The importance to declare unique natural habitats within the urban zone as protected areas is not satisfactorily reflected in current urban planning procedures.
Coordinated planning for urban forestry in the context of integrated and holistic land use planning is needed to minimise conflict of interest amongst stakeholders.

4.1.2 Strategy to establish sustainable integrated urban and peri-urban forestry planning

To formulate integrated and holistic planning procedures for urban and peri-urban forestry and to implement plans for conserving unique habitats as green zones and providing important economic, social and environmental benefits to the urban and peri-urban population.

4.1.3 Priority action programme

Action	Priority	Start	Period	Responsibility	Capacity building requirements
Action 4.1.1 Promote urban forestry and identify forests and other green zones for incorporation in urban functions (Policy reference 2.3.1.1)	Very high	Short-term		Government NGOs	x
Activities
- Complete the criteria and indicators for sustainable urban and peri-urban forestry		2003	1y	DoF	Expertise
- Increase the general awareness and understanding of the value of urban and peri-urban forests and green zones		2003	2y	DoF/NGOs Urban local auth.	Human resources
- Promote economic, social and environmental benefits, incl. forests products such as timber, fuelwood, fruit, other edibles, as well as improved well being, amenity, recreation shade, shelter, conservation of aesthetic values and biodiversity		2004	2y	DoF/NGOs Urban local auth. Peri-urban auth.	Human resources
- Widen the concept and provide comprehensive definitions of different kinds of open spaces and green areas as mentioned in the Urban Government Policy of 1996		2003	1y	MHUD/DoF
- Identify and develop green areas such as forests, parks, sports and recreational areas, green-ways and areas reserved for agricultural use as integral part of urban and peri-urban areas		2004	3y	MHUD/DoF MoAC Urban local auth. Peri-urban auth.	Expertise
Action 4.1.2 Incorporate urban forestry in urban development plans to ensure implementation of Structure Plans incorporating urban forests and green belts (Policy reference 2.3.1.3)	High	Short-term		Government
Activities
- Improve coordinated planning by enforcement of Structure Plans such that urban forests, green belts, agricultural and recreational land are incorporated as permanent features		2004	2y	MHUD/ DoF MoAC Urban local auth.
- Implement the draft Peri-urban Growth Policy, in order to facilitate smooth transition from rural to urban conditions		2004	2y	DPM/MHUD Peri-urban auth.
- Formulate integrated planning and implementation procedures for urban and peri-urban forestry development		2004	2y	DoF/MHUD Urban local auth.
Action 4.1.3 Declare green belts, wetlands and other special habitats within the urban and peri-urban zone as protected biodiversity conservation and recreation areas (Policy references 2.3.1.2)	High	Short-term		Government	x
Activities
- Identify and describe protection–worthy areas within the urban and peri-urban zones		2003	2y	DoF/SNTC Urban local auth.	Expertise
- Declare special habitats and other protection-worthy areas as protected parks or reserves, using existing legislation		2004	3y	DoF/SNTC Urban local auth.

4.2 Management of urban and peri-urban forestry

Lack of planning and different views on the management and control of urban and peri-urban open space and green areas has led to conflicts between interested parties. Government controls and manages most land within the urban boundaries and makes unilateral decisions with respect to planning, use and management. Local authorities manage urban areas, but are currently not empowered to plan and implement initiatives such as development of parks and urban forestry. Empowerment of peri-urban authorities through the Peri-urban Growth Policy is a prerequisite for sustainable forest planning in peri-urban areas (see Action 4.1.2)

4.2.1 Summary of key issues

Conflicts in the development, utilisation and management of urban land are to a large extent caused by different economic and environmental interests.
Participation of urban and peri-urban dwellers in the planning and management of urban and peri-urban trees, forests and other green areas is very low.
The management capacity and capability to plan, manage and monitor urban forests and green areas is insufficient.

4.2.2 Strategy to establish adequate urban and peri-urban forest management

To develop adequate and participatory management structures and procedures for the development, maintenance and monitoring of urban and peri-urban forests and green zones.

4.2.3 Priority action programme

Action	Priority	Start	Period	Responsibility	Capacity building requirements
Action 4.2.1 Ensure that all parties in urban areas comply with existing legislation stipulating ownership rights and management responsibilities (Policy reference 2.3.2.1)	High	Short-term		Government
Activities
- Improve co-ordination and working relations between urban local authorities and Government in the planning and management of urban forests and green zones		2003	2y	MHUD/DoF Urban local auth.
- Agree on the interpretation and application of the legislation relevant to ownership rights and management responsibility		2003	2y	MHUD/DoF Urban local auth.
Action 4.2.2 Enhance community participation in the planning, implementation and management of urban and peri-urban forests and green zones (Policy reference 2.3.1.4)	High	Short- to medium-term		Government Urban & Peri-u. population NGOs	x
Activities
- Establish a forum for participation of all stakeholders in the planning and management of urban and peri-urban forestry and other green zones		2003	2y	MHUD/DoF Urban local auth. Peri-urban auth.
- Formulate guidelines for community and NGO participation in forest planning and management in towns, cities and peri-urban areas		2004	2y	MHUD/DoF Urban local auth. Peri-urban auth.
- Involve public organisations, schools and individuals in activities such as tree-planting, development of urban forestry, urban agriculture and maintenance of parks, sport fields and recreational areas		2004	3y	Urban local auth. Urban & peri-urban population DoF/NGOs
- Estimate the need for urban forestry extension services and provide the required forest support services to the urban and peri-urban dwellers		2004	4y	DoF	Expertise Human resources
Action 4.2.3 Define clear forest management responsibilities between all stakeholders and strengthen the management capacity of urban and peri-urban authorities (Policy reference 2.3.2.2)	High	Short- to medium term		Government NGOs
Activities
Assess current management capacity and capability to plan, manage and monitor urban forest and green zones		2003	1y	DoF/MHUD Urban local auth.
- Discuss and define the responsibilities for the implementation of urban and peri-urban forest policy between relevant government ministries, urban and peri-urban authorities and other stakeholders		2003	1y	DoF/MHUD DPM/MoAC Urban local auth. Peri-urban auth.
- Define mandates and tasks of the various authorities with respect to management of urban forests and green zones		2004	1y	MHUD/DoF
- Estimate the required human resource development for the sustainable management of urban forests and green zones		2004	1y	DoF/MHUD Urban local auth.
- Strengthen the management capacity of urban local authorities, peri-urban authorities and other stakeholders with respect to urban forestry		2005	3y	Government NGOs	Expertise Human resources

This page was last updated on 27 October 2004