MAASAI TRADITION STORY, GOD ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE.

Once upon the time, God was living in the earth with people, and it was very easy people to communicate direct with God, this communication continued for long time where they are able to get anything they need such as food, rain, blessing good fresh air etc. they had a lot of cows but as times goes it happen in a certain village in maasai tribe that there was a man who had no cow, one day this man decided to cut a certain tree where Maasai tribe use to worship God, after that God was very angry with this people who destroyed a worship tree, God decided to go away from them, and so after that Maasai tribe started suffering from shortage of water, grass for their cows, food, no rain etc.
And this is the reason why Maasai tribe moves from one place to another to find pastures and water.

Nginyi Kimaai
nginyikariongi@gmail.com

WWF OPENS EYES TO ENVIRONMENTAL CSOS IN TANZANIA

It is good news to here the effort that has been done by one of international organizations that deals with environmental issues in Tanzania, known as World Wide Fund for Conservation of Nature (WWF) on her effort to empower environmental CSOs in Tanzania.

Fruits have started to be seen where most of her partners (environmental CSOs) have done a good job toward sustainable use of Natural resources on three sub-sectors (fisheries, forest and wildlife). This international Organization rendered grants to her partners form in year 2008/2009 based on the program known “Strengthening capacity to environmental CSOs in Tanzania”. Actually her dream has been seen to achieve. Hear I would like to share with you my follow Tanzanians on physical achievements which have seen;

WWF has worked with Journalist Environmental Team (JET) which has done a lot of activities in respect to environmental issues like raising awareness to individual by documenting different information relating to environmental bad practices for instance there is a newsletter titled “Stripping the gods naked” as it explains about illegal fishing around the coastal of Tanzania unfortunately amount to severe diminish of fishes while it people who are chief stakeholders remain in the dame of poverty.

Mr. Mushi (WWF staff) explained Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG) have created awareness through rendering education to local communities on sustainable use of forest resources due to severe deforestation that occurs in Mkinga forest in Tanga region. TFCG has disseminated information to local communities publishing it through leaflets etc;

Further more, UNGO in Morogoro has created awareness to local communities on forest issues based on advocacy and lobbying. Mr. Venance (UNGO Project Officer) said “UNGO has achieved to create awareness on laws, policies and principles which we have but the majority of Tanzanians are not aware with. Together with, UNGO integrated Morogoro district authority (forest sector) on establishing guide centers so as to seize forest products that acquired illegally”. The same issue was worked by Tanzania Environmental Conservation group (TECG) that created attention to individual by raising awareness. Again, DECO came up with real situation of is happening at Kisalawe District following excessive Pugu degradation where people engage in sand mining.

On illegal fishing that happened in Tanga were people became aware as well as government authority as a result, constructive action taken to prohibit illegal fishing. The same issue on illegal fishing was worked by KIMWAM organization on how member communities can participate on sustainable fishing;

Also, Nature Scope worked on awareness creation in respect to laws and policies, in Njombe District-Iringa. Member communities have understood their role to participate in environmental decision making and sustainable use of natural resources.

Another interesting action done by WWF-TPO is about having a meeting with Environmental Parliamentary Committee where several environmental issues were discussed. For instance, the deforestation in Kazimzumbwi and Pugu forest. Miss Muhale said (one of WWF staff) “since parliaments were not aware on destructive practices in Kazimzumbwi and Pugu forest”. Hence the effort done by WWF in collaboration with its partners opened the door to government on undertaking measurable action.

With all the above successes that have been achieved by environmental CSOs, it is exactly that the objectives of WWF have started to bear fruits. I would like to congratulate WWF for your success efforts. We have learned from you and we are going to be your followers.

Angelus Runji
runjifred@yahoo.com

CULTURE AND CATCHMENT CONSERVATION

During previous years a go there were an area where they believed that gods were living, the area were covered by densely populated forest as no one were allowed to touch that forest. The area comprised of different tree species, it was heavy and evergreen, as no one were allowed to cut even a single tree, they were saying once you cut the tree gods will be angry. Then no one touched that are and near by the water were flowing trough out the year, we never experienced drought like were experiencing today. Women and children were getting water readily near to their living areas and our livestock never walked long distance like today going to find where they are going to fulfill their thirst.

During the time the rain were available, we did not experience the rain problem as were experiencing today and wild animals were available at the area, once you go at the area you could enjoy seeing different type of animals and birds with different interesting colours. Birds were singing different beautiful songs so once you go there those birds would welcome you with those beautiful songs.

Now the situation has changed since people ignored our traditional and started cutting down those trees, then our gods become angry with us and now see how things has changed no that good greenish and more, water has become a serous problem and rainy is raining very hardily now, we are getting very few amount of rainfall now which did not even satisfy watering our crops and we are now welcoming a desert. This shows that our gods are angry with us as we made them migrate from their home area as those trees were cut down.

Now no confidential area for worshiping as we used the area before it was destroyed, just think what will happen after ten years to come what do you think you children will face. This shows how the modern culture has destroyed our culture, this is going to cost us, were going to face severe climate change. Real the situation is becoming worse and worse each day.

Remember this not each traditional culture is bad some are good and useful why are we abandoning our culture and praising the culture of others know what are we proud of if we are ignoring our own culture. We have good and unique things let us be proud of it and promote them, let us not be slaves of culture of others. Let’s put in mind that ours is ours and theirs is theirs.

Joyneth Mbogo
joymbogo@yahoo.com

HISTORIA YA SHERIA YA MAZINGIRA-DUNIANI

Vuguvugu la umuhimu wa kuhifadhi, kulinda na kusimamia kikamilifu utunzaji wa mazingira na matumizi ya rasilimali mbalimbali duniani limekuwa hai sana katika miaka ya karibuni hasa miaka ya 1990 na kuendelea. Vuguvugu hili ulimwenguni mwote lilianza tangu miaka ya 1970 hasa baada ya mkutano mkubwa wa Umoja wa Mataifa uliohusu mazingira na makazi ya watu huko Sweden mwaka 1972 katika mji wa Stockholm. Mkutano huo ulitoa tamko rasmi (Stockholm Declaration) lililosisitiza pamoja na mambo mengine umuhimu wa kuhifadhi mazingira ya mwanadamu ambayo ni chanzo kikubwa cha uhai wake. Miaka ishirini baadae, Mkutano mwingine wa kilele ulifanyika huko Rio de Jeneiro (Brazili) ambao pia uliweka changamoto kubwa katika suala zima la ulinzi, usimamizi na utumiaji endelevu wa mazingira na rasilimali tulizonazo.

Katika tamko lake (The Rio Declaration) mkutano huu ulisisitiza juu ya maendeleo endelevu ikiwa ni pamoja na kujali utunzaji wa mazingira kwa ajili ya vizazi vya sasa na vya baadae.Tamko hili lilisisitiza pia umuhimu wa kila nchi kuhakikikuwa shughuli zake za kimaendeleo hazileti madhara kwa mazingira yasiyorekebishika katika nchi au eneo jingine. Mkutano huu pia ulitanabaisha kuwa hali ya mazingira na rasilimali mbalimbali duniani ni tete (yaani si shwari kabisa). Kutokana na uharibifu uliokithiri wa mazingira dunia ilijikuta ikikabiliwa na changamoto za kina kama vile:-Mabadiliko ya tabia ya nchi (Climate change), upotevu wa bio-anuai (Bio-Diversity loss), hatari za majagwa ( desertification) na uharibifu wa vyanzo vya maji safi . Mkutano wa Rio ulihitimishwa kwa kuundwa mikakati na mikataba muhimu ya kimataifa kuhusu mazingira. Mikataba hii ni ule unaohusu mabadiliko ya tabia ya hali ya nchi, (Climate change Convention), Mkataba unaohusu Bio-nuai (Bio-diversity Convention), na Ule wa kuthibiti hali ya Jangwa (Convention to combat Desertfication). Pia ilitengenezwa dira ya karne ya 21 (The Agenda 21) ambayo ni kama sera ya kimataifa kuhusu mazingira.

Kufuatia hali hii serikali mbalimbali ikiwemo ya Tanzania zililazimika kuingia katika harakati kubwa za kuleta maboresho au marekebisho mbalimbali ya mifumo, sera na sheria zinazohusu mazingira pamoja na kuhakikisha kuwa wanajamii wanahusika kikamilifu katika suala zima la uhifadhi wa mazingira. Jambo hili linatokana na ukweli kuwa upo umuhimu wa kufanya mabadiliko katika sheria na mifumo iliyorithiwa toka kwa wakoloni na kuiona jamii kuwa wadau wanaotakiwa kushirikishwa kwa umakini. Faida za dhana shirikishi ni dhahiri ikiwa ni pamoja na kupunguza gharama za uendeshaji, utekelezaji wa sheria na kuongeza ufanisi. Kwa upande wetu Tanzania Bara, serikali ilianza mchakato wa maboresho kwa kupitisha na kuchapisha sera ya Taifa ya mazingira mwaka 1997.Sera hii ilifuatiwa na kutungwa kwa sheria mpya ya mazingira Tanzania mwaka 2004 ambayo imeanza kutumika tangu mwaka 2005.


Sheria ya Mazingira ya Tanzania-EMA
Sheria ya mazingira Tanzania ilitungwa kufuatia kutungwa kwa sera ya taifa ya mazingira mwaka 1997. Sera bila sheria haina nguvu kwani hakuna anayeadhibiwa mahakamani kwa sababu ya kukiuka sera bali kwa kukiuka sheria. Kwa hali hiyo, Sera ya Mazingira ya mwaka 1997 imebainisha wazi (aya ya 70) juu ya umuhimu wa kutungwa kwa sheria itakayosimamia maswala ya mazingira nchini. Vile vile sera hiyo imetaja mambo muhimu ambayo sheria hiyo itayapa kipaumbele nayo ni:-
(a) Upembuzi yakinifu wa athari za mazingira (EIA)
(b) Matumizi ya dhana na viashiria vya kiuchumi
(c) Kuandaa viwango na viashiria vya mazingira (Standards & indicators)
(d) Kutumia kanuni ya kuchukua tahadhari kabla ya athari (Precautionary Principle)
(e) Kuimarisha ushirikiano wa kimataifa
Hivyo uandaaji wa sera na hatimaye rasimu ya sheria ya mazingira ulishirikisha wadau mbalimbali hadi Sheria ya uhifadhi na usimamizi wa mazingira Namba 20 ya mwaka 2004 ilipopitishwa na Bunge na kuridhiwa na Mheshimiwa Rais. Imlianza kutumika rasmi tarehe 1 Julai 2005 na kama ilivyotanguliwa kesemwa, Sheria hii imelenga kutekeleza yale yaliyobainishwa ndani ya sera ya mazingira. Kwa vile sheria hii ndiyo sheria mama juu ya uhifadhi wa mazingira nchini na rasilimali zake na inalenga uhifadhi wa mazingira kwa ujumla wake, imeweka misingi thabiti na kanuni za usimamizi endelevu wa mazingira nchini. Vile vile ina ainisha muundo wa kitaasisi wa utunzaji endelevu wa mazingira nchini na kuunganisha mamlaka za taasisi ilikuepuka migongano ikiwa ni pamoja na kuleta ushirikiano wa kiutendaji kati ya wahusika wa idara na wizara mbalimbali.

Kanuni za Misingi zilizopo katika sheria ya uhifadhi wa Mazingira ya Mwaka 2004.
Kama nilivyokwishadokezea katika makala yangu ya miezi iliyopita, si vibaya nikarudia tena baadhi ya kanunu zilizopo katika sheria hii ya Mazingira.
Miongoni mwa kanuni hizo ni ;kanuni ya mchafuzi kulipa. Sheria hii ya uhifadhi wa Mazingira inatamka wazi kuwa yeyote yule atakayebainika kuchafua mazingira analazimika kulipa kwa kiwango kile cha uchafuzi aliyeufanya. Lengo la hii kanuni ni kuhakikisha kuwa mlipaji wa uchafuzi wa mazingira kwanza aogope kuchafua tena mazingira na pili uchafuzi uliofanywa unasawazishwa na ulipaji huo.

Kanuni ya pili ni ile ya mtuhumiwa wa uchafuaji wa mazingira kudhibitisha mahakanani kuwa hachafui mazingira. Hii ni kanuni ambayo iko tofauti na sheria nyingine zote ambazo humtaka yule anayemtuhumu mwenzake kuwa amefanya jambo fulani kunyume na sheria fulani kudhibitisha mahakama kuwa kweli mtuhumiwa amefanya vile. Sheria hii ya uhifadhi wa mazingira inatamka wazi kuwa mtuhumiwa wa uchafuzi wa mazingira anatakiwa adhibitishe kuwa hachafui mazingira kama inavyodaiwa na mshitaki.

Kanuni ya tatu ni ile ya ushirikishwaji wa wananchi katika kutathimini athari za kimazingira katika mradi wowote ule unaotarajiwa kuanzishwa katika eneo fulani. Sheria hii ya uhifadhi wa mazingira inataka ushiriki wa wananchi wa eneo tarajiwa la mradi kuhusishwa moja kwa moja katika hatua zote za kutathimini athari za kimazingira zitakazoletwa na uanzishwaji wa mradi unao tarajiwa kuanzishwa.

Kitu cha msingi cha kukumbuka hapa ni kuwa mradi ni kuwa mradi wowote ule unakatazwa na sheria hii kuanzishwa kabla ya kufanyawaji wa tathimini ya kina ya athari za kimazingira zitakazotokana na uanzishwaji wa mradi katika eneo fulani Ni ukiukwaji wa sheria hii, tena wa makusudi na uliodhahiri kuanzishwa mradi wowote ule nchini Tanzania bila ya ufanywaji wa tathimini ya athari za kimazingira wa kina na wenye ushirikishwaji wa wananchi wa eneo la mradi tarajiwa.

Kanuni ya uchukuaji wa tahadhari. Sheria ya uhifadhi wa mazingira imejikita zaidi katika kuhakikisha kuwa uchafuzi wa mazingira hakutokei kabisa na siyo vinginevyo. Msingi mkubwa wa kanuni hii ni kuzuia kuharibika kwa mazingira kwa kufuata msemo wa Kiswahili wa “kinga ni bora kuliko tiba”. Hivyo basi sheria hii inachukua tahadhari na kuhakikisha kuwa uchafuzi hautokei kwa kuwa ukishakutokea ni vigumu au hawezekani kabisa kurudisha mazingira katika hali yake ya awali kabla ya uchafuzi huo kufanyika.

Kanuni ya kuwa juu ya sheria nyingine. Sheria ya Uhifadhi wa Mazingira ya mwaka 2004, inasema wazi wazi kuwa pindi itakapotokea kuwa sheria yeyote ile inapingana na kipengele chochote cha sheria hii, basi kipengele au vipengele vya sheria ya Uhifadhi wa Mazingira 2004, kitatumika. Katika msingi huu ni wazi kuwa sheria ya mazingira itakuwa juu ya sheria zingine pindi utata utakapojitokeza. Sheria hii inaweka wazi kuwa katika mgongano au utata wowote utakaojitokeza kimaantiki au kitaadhira, basi sheria ya Shifadhi wa Mazingira itume katika kutoa utata huo. Kimsingi sheria ya uhifadhi wa mazingira ndiyo msingi wa kutatua utata / mgongano huo.

Haki ya kupata habari za kimazingira
Kama tulivyokwisha eleza hapo juu ili mtu aweze kutimiza wajibu wake wa kutunza mazingira, kushiriki kikamilifu katika michakato na maamuzi yanayohusu mazingira ni lazima awe na uhakika wa kupata habari za mazingira ya sehemu na nchi yake, miradi inayofikiriwa kuanzishwa katika sehemu yake na mambo mbalimbali. Haki hii ni haki iliyotiliwa mkazo na Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania inasema kuwa kila mtu ana haki ya kupata, kutafuta na kupewa habari. Haki hii haina kipingamizi au utofautisho wowote.

Hivyo haishangazi kuona kwamba Sheria ya Mazingira, ya Mwaka 2004 inatambua na kutoa haki kwa kila raia anayo haki ya kupewa habari na taarifa zilizoko katika mamlaka za umma zinazohusiana na mazingira, hali ya mazingira, hatari zilizopo na zinazoweza kujitokeza katika mazingira ikiwa ni pamoja na utoaji wa vichafuzi katika maji, hewa au ardhi, utupaji na umwagaji na utunzaji wa takamadhara.

Sheria inadai kuwa haki hii inaweza kutotekelezwa kama: (a) habari au nyaraka zinazoombwa zitakuwa ni zile ambazo bado hazijamalizwa kuandikwa, takwimu au taarifa za ndani ya ofisi, au kama maombi hayo si ya busara au yameandikwa kwa ujumla au kijuujuu tu; (b) kama utengamano wa umma au usalama wa taifa utahatarishwa kwa kutolewa habari hizo; (c) kwa ajili ya kulinda siri za kibiashara, viwanda na kitaalamu; (d) kama maombi ni ya kijuuju, hayaeleweki au ni vigumu kufahamu aina gani ya taarifa inatakiwa; na (e) kama taasisi inayoombwa habari au taarifa hizo haina habari ya kuwepo kwake.

Kama maombi yanakataliwa ni jukumu la taasisi ya umma inayoyakataa kutoa sababu za maandishi za kukataa maombi hayo.

Inabidi tueleze wazi kuwa ni kosa kwa sheria hii kutaka kuviza haki ya wananchi kupata habari eti kwa ajili ya kulinda siri za kiviwanda au kibiashara. Kama habari zinahusiana na mazingira haziwezi kuwa za siri hivyo kwa sharti hilo sheria hii inakiuka kwa uwazi mkubwa Ibara ya 18 ya Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania. Wakati ni kweli kwamba habari ambazo haziwezi ni zile ambazo zinahatarisha usalama wa taifa, kizuizi hiki hakiwezi kutoa kinga kwa miradi yoyote ile ya kijeshi ambayo inachafua mazingira. Nchi mbalimbali zimetoa uhuru wa wananchi kupata habari za uchafuzi wa mazingira unaofanywa na vyombo vyao vya ulinzi na usalama. Habari ambazo ni siri na haziwezi kutolewa ni zile zinazohusiana na zana za kijeshi, maeneo zinapotunzwa zana hizo au uwezo wa kijeshi wa majeshi ya nchi hiyo. Lakini pale kunapokuwa na uchafuzi wa mazingira katika vyombo hivyo habari hizo lazima ziweze kupatikana.

Mkurugenzi wa Mazingira na Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa NEMC wao wana haki ya kupata habari zote zinazohusiana na hali ya mazingira ya nchi, vitu vinavyoharibu na kutishia kuharibu mazingira ikiwa ni pamoja na utoaji na umwagaji wa vichafuzi katika maji, hewa, na ardhi na utupaji na uhifadhi wa takamadhara. Hii ni kuweza kuwawezesha kutenda kazi zao vizuri. Ni kosa la kisheria kukataa kumpatia Mkurugenzi wa Mazingira na Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa NEMC habari na taarifa za mazingira ambazo wanazihitaji au wanatakiwa kupewa.

Ili kuwezesha kuwepo kwa taarifa za mazingira NEMC inatakiwa kukusanya taarifa zinazohusiana na mazingira pamoja na takwimu; kuwa na haki ya kuzipata na kupewa takwimu zozote za mazingira na maliasili; kuchambua taarifa zozote zinazohusiana na mazingira na maliasili; kusambaza habari kwa umma na taasisi binafsi; kufanya tafiti kuhusiana na idadi ya wtu na mienendo inayoathiri au gusa mambo ya mazingira na maendeleo; kufanya kampeni za kutoa taarifa na kuelimisha umma juu ya mambo ya mazingira; kubadilishana habari za mazingira na mashirika ya kiraia au taasisi za kikanda na kimataifa; kuratibu usimamizi wa taarifa za mazingira katika wizara za sekta ya mazingira; kumshauri Waziri juu ya mapengo na mahitaji ya taarifa; na mwisho kuanzisha, kwa kushauriana na wizara za sekta ya mazingira, miongozo na taratibu za kukusanya, kuchambua na kusambaza habari na taarifa za mazingira.

Sheria inaitaka NEMC kuanzisha na kuendesha Kitengo cha Habari za Mazingira ambacho kitakusanya na kuweka pamoja ugunduzi na takwimu ambazo zimetolewa na taasisi za umma na binafsi katika harakati zao za kuangalia na kusimamia mazingira. Kwa upande wake Mkrugenzi wa Mazingira anatakiwa kuchapisha ripoti ya hali ya mazingira na usimamizi wa mazingira nchini ambayo inatakiwa kuwasilishwa bungeni. Ni jukumu la wabunge wetu kumdai Mkurugenzi wa Mazingira kuchapisha na kuiwasilisha ripoti hii kwao. Nasi wananchi tunayo haki ya kumdai Mkurugenzi wa Mazingira juu ya uchapishaji wa ripoti hii. Ripoti hii inatakiwa iwe imekamilika na kueleza kwa kinagaubaga hali ya mazingira ya nchi yetu na utendaji wa idara na wizara mbalimbali zinazohusika na sekta ya mazingira. Ripoti hii lazima ieleze mikakati iliyopo ya kuyalinda na kuyaboreshs mazingira.

Sambamba na jukumu lake la kuchapisha ripoti ya hali ya mazingira Mkurugenzi wa Mazingira anaweza kuchapisha habari yoyote ile anayoiona kuwa ni ya lazima kwa ajili ya elimu ya umma juu ya mazingira na mambo ya mazingira. Hii ni pamoja na kuanzisha mipango na programu zinazolenga kukuza uelewa wa wananchi juu ya maendeleo endelevu na usimamizi wa mazingira. Vilevile Mkurugenzi anatakiwa, kwa kushauriana na wizara za sekta ya mazingira na elimu, kuchukua hatua za kuiingiza masuala ya mazingira katika mitaala ya elimu ya shule, vyuo na taasisi za elimu ya juu.

Baraza la Taifa la Usimamizi na Hifadhi ya Mazingira nalo lina wajibu wa kufanya upimaji na tafiti kuhusiana na hali ya mazingira na kutoa matarajio au maono yake juu ya mabadiliko ya mazingira kwa upande mmoja na kufanya tafiti ambazo zitachangia katika kuandaa sera na mipangokazi na mikakati inayohusiana na uhifadhi na usimamizi wa mazingira.

Waziri kwa upande wake anaweza kuiteua taasisi yoyote ile kuwa taasisi ya ushauri ya mambo yanayohusiana na ukuzaji wa tafiti-lengwa za kisayansi, utengenezaji wa habari kaitka nyanja ya mazingira, kufuatilia na kupima tija ya vitendo vilivyotendwa.


Itaendelea

Nyembea Stanslaus

nyembeason@yahoo.com

DO WE SAIL ON THE SAME BOAT OF GOOD GOVERNANCE?

We as Tanzanians should ask ourselves how the essence of good governance operates in our country. I would like to present a message following wise words spoken by US President when he delivered speech to Ghana citizens following his visit on 11th July, 2009. Actually the speech is so inspires and narrative. I believe that the speech itself entails the true focus of what is going on not only in Ghana but also in most African countries like here in our country (Tanzania) I would like to quote one party “So I believe that this moment is just as promising for Ghana and for Africa as the moment when my father came of age and new nations were being born. This is a new moment of great promise. Only this time, we've learned that it will not be giants like Nkrumah and Kenyatta who will determine Africa's future. Instead, it will be you -- the men and women in Ghana's parliament -- (applause) -- the people you represent. It will be the young people brimming with talent and energy and hope who can claim the future that so many in previous generations never realized.

Now, to realize that promise, we must first recognize the fundamental truth that you have given life to in Ghana: Development depends on good governance. (Applause.) That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That's the change that can unlock Africa's potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans” This is a historical speech as it tries to touch different angles on how every individual should understand his/her contribution in his/her country so as to bring economic changes and improvement of life standard. On his speech, he mentions the theme of “Good governance” as he says “Developments depends on good governance” do this theme operates accordingly in Tanzania? I don’t think, and if we are not sailing on the same boat meaning that the theme of good governance is still a problem in our country to different sectors. As we can see there is over utilization of natural resources with low earning to raise economic status of every individual. One non governmental organization called UNGO realized the severe deforestation occurs in Morogoro District while its people are in dam of poverty. As one interviewed from Mvuha Village said “There is no good government since there is narrow participation of villagers to discuss environmental issues like, though we have our local authorities”.

I agree with Obama’s Speech as he pointed out issue of good governance as a tool for development. I here put emphasis that we Tanzanians should consider the existence of good governance by having so we shall have development changes to a better stage.

Angelus Runji
runjifred@yahoo.com

TRACE FORWARD OVER NGORONGORO ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCES; Reproduction matters.

I congratulate Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism in her "Save Our Soul Message" As reported by Adam Ihucha (staff writer of ETN) “Mwangunga sends SOS message to frustrated Maasai in Ngorongoro”, by considering the right of the native Maasai to stay in the area. The Question to ask is, “what will be the ecological perspectives of the area for the five years to come as far as the Natives population is increasing?” The number of population in third world countries is increasing dramatically. The relocation of the Natives in Ngorongoro must consider the growth of population in term of reproduction not immigration.

NCAA acting chief conservator, Bernard Murunya, said the ecosystem can only support 25,000 people. Trace back the establishment of the NCAA as World Heritage Site the area is fragile to be occupied with large population of larger than the mentioned above as well as advancement in technology of carrying out human activities.

UNESCO is not happy with the cultivation undertakings within the NCA Likewise the threats are caused by peasant agriculture which the native complains of its little contribution towards their lives and request for alternatives which most of them is supported by advancements in technology. This is contradictory because while UNESCO is not happy for their activities the request of the site does not require advancement in technology. The problem is increase in Demand to sustain the native’s population which requires advancement in technology (This is demographic factor)

The perspective of rescue NCAA Future importance must include the number of factors such as Population control especially in term of reproduction, control of Tourists Activities and take into consideration of alternatives that are sustainable and serve Pastoral Maasai lives. Natives have declared for their threats to ecology but request Government to provide alternatives that will stop their deeds. This is the best opportunity that can be used to provide deep knowledge, Skills and attitude over the importance of the site and sustainable utilization supported by improved population growth.

Elihoise Malisa
hoylus3@yahoo.com