Although peri-urbanisation seems to be a driving force for city expansion in
most cities of the developing world, the unguided nature and rapid rate of growth is
increasingly raising a concern over the future sustainability of these cities. Peri-urbanization
has been taking place at the expensive of rich agricultural hinterlands and depletion of natural
resources. This type of urbanization culminates into conflict between natural resources
conservation initiatives and human activities. This paper attempts to analyse the link between
peri-urbanization processes and its effects on nearby forest reserves of Pugu and Kazimzumbwi
in Dar es Salaam City. Empirical evidence for this paper was captured through analysis of
aerial photographs covering a period between 1975 and 2012. Household interviews covering
a total of 150 households were administered in three settlements of Buyuni, Chanika and
Masaki. Literature review, focus group discussions, resource mapping were also used to
capture population dynamics, quantify types and trends of forest ecosystem services over the
period of 37 years. Empirical evidence shows that; while built up area increased from 2.4 to
19.1 percent, overall closed forest decreased by 57 percent within the same period. The
decrease in forest cover has been accompanied by the decline in forest ecosystem services
namely, the decline in number and type of plant and animal species and drying of water
sources. In view of these effects, it has been recommended that the government in collaboration
with key stakeholders should engage in developing guidelines for managing peri-urbanization
processes and creating community awareness for sustainable development and co-existence of
urbanization processes and forest reserves.