From the report some statistics on Tanzania Bio-diversity

More than a quarter of the 10 000 plant species recorded in the country is endemic. There is also a large number of endemic animal species in Tanzania.

It is estimated that about 300 000 to 400 000 hectares of forest are lost annually in Tanzania through deforestation. However, recent figures by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations) cite 130 000- 140 000 hectares per year as more realistic. Despite the lower rate, it is still alarming. The major causes of deforestation are fires, poor agricultural practices, overgrazing, clear felling of trees, commercial exploitation and woodfuel.

Coastal forests are those found in areas with a full monsoon climate of the Indian Ocean, with an annual rainfall between 1000 and 2000 mm, usually at an altitude of 500-700 meters Undisturbed coastal forests have a closed canopy in which a few pioneer species are found. More than ten million years ago a belt of thick forest was covering the east coast of Africa, from Mocambique in the south to Kenya in the north. Today, only a few remnants of this coastal forest are left. These old patches of forests are rich in endemic plants and animals. Pugu and Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves are two of these forests.

The Kazimzumbwi and Pugu Forests are part of one of the oldest forests in the world, one that just 40 years ago was a much larger forest extending to within 10 km of Dar es Salaam. At that time the forest was a home to for instance hippos, lions, cheetas and black- and white colobus monkeys.

In general the coastal forest of East Africa have many species of which several are endemic for the area. The number of species endemic or near endemic to coastal forest areas in East Africa are: 400 plants, five mammals, five birds, 20 reptiles and five frogs. 

Kazimzumbwi Forest

The Forest is more known for the violent clash in 1998 between villagers and government when 200 poeple were evicted from the forest, than for its natural beauty or what is left of it. The following excerpt of the Swedish study proves that there is still work to be done for increasing the interest in the Kazimzumbwi Forest as an recreation attraction for Dar es Salaam 

The Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve was established in 1936. Inside the protected area cultivation was permitted even after the 1930s, when the local villagers were allowed to clear land and to farm for two seasons. This was probably a cheap method for the Forest Division to clear land prior to planting exotic timber species.

Logging of commercial timber trees in Kazimzumbwi Forest ceased in the 1970s, because these species became too rare to be further exploited on a commercial scale.

The Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve is situated approximately 20 km south-west of Dar es Salaam. The forest has an area of 4887 hectares and is located on the Pugu Hills (Appendix 2), between 120 and 280 metres altitude. The forest contains four main vegetation types:

• Dry forest is found on some of the ridges and hillsides.
• Moist forest, with an extra groundwater supply of moisture, is present along the watercourses and in the steeper-sided valleys.
• Dense, impenetrable thickets occur on many of the ridge tops.
• Open grassland with a poor tree cover can be found in patches within the forest and may indicate areas that were once cleared for agriculture. 

One permanent stream arises from the forest reserve and provides a water supply for some of the local people. The Kazimzumbwi Forest has been object of very little biological study until recently.