Deal #1851

GRL areas of interest cover 7 villages (Chogo, Mapanda, Ukami, Makungu, Idete, Uchindile and Mapanda) in Kilombero and Mufindi districts. Additional villages affected by the GRL’s plantations, namely Kihanga, Nzivi, Mninga, Taweta, Ukami, Mgugwe, Mnyela, Igowole.

Acquired Farm 900 (5,665 hectares) with full consent of the Idete communities. Additional Farm 901 (4856ha) aquired without consent and without consultation. Consultation for additional farms unknown.

Since then GRL has been operating successfully for more than 20 years however its commitments to the villages have not been fully realised. To date, community members assert there is no permanent employment in their villages as well as poor working conditions, low salaries (below the minimum), and lack of transport to and from work.

" Land related conflicts among local communities at Idete are increasing as people compete and fight for smaller pieces of lands".

Some villages in the Green Resources project areas have lost more than 33% of their land – the limit under the 1999 Village Land Act. One village, Uchindile, lost 60% of its land to Green Resources.

The planting of eucalyptus has led to environmental impacts as eucalyptus are not native and have negative effects on the local environment as it induces soil degradation, decline of groundwater level, and decrease of biodiversity. The Rights to favourable working conditions, health, non-discrimination, freedom of association, housing, an adequate standard of living, and education are negatively impacted by the project.

10 per cent of the revenue from selling carbin credits. Many of the promised compensations have not materialised. The first payment for several residents only occurred in 2011. The Company’s Operational Health and Safety policies do not align with its performance. Worker safety is not prioritized in Uchindile transport, where workers are brought to job sites on a cart hitched to a tractor, which annually slides off the road and injures workers.

In Ukami village, lots of promises were made, such as building a village government office, classrooms, health facilities, and creating employment to communities. Most of these promises have not been fully fulfilled.

Construction of community hall, classrooms, maternity ward and renewable energy system at primary school. Training of local women in making soap, detergent and Batiki clothes. GRL also offers free tree seedlings to villagers for them to plant in their personal land parcels.