The use of Village Participatory Land Use Plan (VPLUP) model as a natural resource management and conservation tool has been growing recently. This study examined the premise under which VPLUPs implementation can enhance the management and conservation of Village Land Forest Reserves (VLFRs) in the context of Reduced Emission from Deforestation and forest Degradation plus (REDD+) initiative in the Kilosa district of Tanzania. A mixed method research design, whichintegrates participatory community mapping (PCM), focus group discussions (FGDs), key informants interviews (KIIs), direct observations and household interviews were used in data collection. The results showed that there were significant (p<0.05) improvements in forest management and conservation indicators after VPLUPs implementation, and increase in the management and 2 conservation activities carried out by the community after the implementation of VPLUPs. There was also a significant decrease (p<0.05) in almost all uses of the forest after the implementation of VPLUPs. The findings provide evidence that the VPLUP model has potential for enhancing the management and conservation of forests in the context of REDD+ strategy. Thus, it is argued that VPLUP can be used as a forest management and conservation tool to facilitate the implementation of the REDD+ initiatives.

This study assessed community perceptions on Non-Carbon Benefits (NCBs) as incentives for participation in Reduced Emission from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) and the role of Village Participatory Land-Use Plans (VPLUPs) in supporting this in Kilosa district of Tanzania. A mixed-method research design was used in the data collection. Results indicated that the majority (95%) of the respondents thought that VPLUPs had facilitated REDD+ implementation. The results also demonstrated that the REDD+ initiative remains an important source of NCBs. While the respondents believed NCBs were available and important to them, its future availability was somewhat of a concern. The respondents further indicated that the best way to improve VPLUPs (and consequently enhance the REDD+ related activities) and maintain the flow of NCBs, was to improve the knowledge of VPLUPs. NCBs should be considered in the planning, design and implementation of REDD+, especially considering that carbon markets remain questionable and unreliable.

The role of Village Participatory Land Use Plans (VPLUPs) and associated Village Land Forest Reserves (VLFRs) under the REDD+ initiative is a fairly new concept with limited information on the success of its implementation. This study examined community perceptions of VPLUPs as well as their perceptions of the inclusion of VLFRs in these plans in the Kilosa district of Tanzania. A mixed method research design, which integrates participatory community mapping (PCM), focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), direct observations and household interviews were applied. Results indicated a significant involvement of the respondents (84%) in the process of implementation of VPLUPs, especially in meetings (95%). A significant majority (91%) favoured the inclusion of VLFRs in VPLUPs. Most of the respondents (85%) were satisfied with the implementation process of VPLUPs and most (94%) were willing to adhere to VPLUPs initiatives. Both challenges to and supportive factors for the implementation of VPLUPs were identified by the respondents. Due to the current high levels of participation in the initiative and potentially agreeable outcomes, it is concluded that VPLUPs and VLFRs might contribute to sustainable implementation of the REDD+ initiative.