Planted forests |
Description of plantation resources
Introduction
The Comoros consists of three main islands; Moheli, Anjouan and Grande Comore. Each island has plantations. The main purposes are to protect soil from erosion and to produce fuelwood (Anon., undated; Ledant, 1993; MPIA, 1991).
Anjouan is the most populated of the three islands, and it suffers the worst ecological degradation. This has made this island more sensitive to efforts for conservation than the others (Ledant, 1993).
Development of forest plantations
In 1983, 92 ha of plantations were said to exist on Moheli and 24 ha on Anjouan (Ledant, 1993). In 1984, there were 400 ha of plantations on Grande Comore. The area was the same as in 1980 (Anon., undated). At the end of 1985 and 1989, the total plantation area was 800 ha and 1 000 ha, respectively (MPIA, 1991).
The idea of community plantations was introduced by the "Service des Eaux et Forêts". However, this was not accepted by villagers (MPIA, 1991).
Species composition
The main species is Eucalyptus robusta (MPIA, 1991). Pterocarpus indicus is also planted on Moheli, but no data are available (Ledant, 1993).
Trend
No information available.
Issues
Not much attention has been paid to plantations and they have not received enough maintenance (Ledant, 1993).
References
Anon. Undated. Report on present situation and future development of the Comoros forest resources.
Ledant, J.P. 1993. Reserve marine et cotiere de nioumachoua, Comores, conservation des ecosystemes foresteires. FO:TCP/COI/2251 9T), Document de terrain, No. 1.
MPIA. 1991. Rapport national pour le 10ème congres forestier mondial a Paris. Ministere de la Production, de l'Industrie et de l´Artisanat.