“LIVING BEEHIVE” OPENS IN COP17 EXHIBITIONS

Last Thursday I had the privilege of attending the unveiling of the magnificent Living Beehive at the Durban Botanic Gardens. Durban’s mayor, James Nxumalo, attended the event and promised to nurture the structure as a lasting legacy of COP 17.

FARMERS WOW AT COP17

Farmers, African Farmers, Resilient Farmers. On this Farmers Day, we had the African Farmers 'Kamunkunji' or Parliament if you like. Farmers from Lesotho, Swaziland, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia among others attended and actively participated in the event.

GLOBAL WARMING, NOTHING BUT DESTRUCTION

Global warming, global warming, global warming
What global warming to talk about
What good is in global warming?
What beauty is in global warming?
Nothing but destruction

THE BENEFICIARIES OF MOUNT KIMANDOLU FOREST RESERVE

The idea of urban tourism was introduced in the year 2004-2005 by Arusha Municipal Council and Kimandolu Hill was selected to be among one of Tourism attractions. The project aimed at creating income generating activities to the council by introducing attractions of different kinds on the hill so as to be good destination place for tourist before they go to other tour places.

WE MUST MAKE MORE EFFORTS TO CONSERVE OUR ENVIRONMENT.

Tanzania like many other countries across the globe realizes the effects of environmental degradation. The effects of environmental degradation are well documented. Thanks to many efforts at regional and local levels, Tanzania established the environmental management Act, 2004(EMA) to regulate matters affecting the environment.

The authority is a step in the right direction but complementary efforts are very critical to avoid disasters occasioned by missteps in environmental utilization.

“PROMOTING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AROUND LAKE VICTORIA”

The importance of fisheries resource in the Lake Victoria basin cannot be over emphasized as it provides direct employment to about 300000 Tanzanians and other indirect employment to about three million people. Its contribution to export volume dotes to Tshs. 194 billion. This is according to various reports released in conferences. In spite of this crucial importance, fisheries resources are increasingly under serious threat due to various reasons. These include reduced fish stocks, decline of biodiversity, food and nutritional insecurity-all being a result of overfishing and illegal fishing.

ROBANDA THREATENS TO WITHDRAW FROM THE COALITION OF WMA

Robanda village is threatening to withdraw from Ikona Wildlife Management Area (WMA) that is made up of five villages of Serengeti District in Mara Region, describing it as helpless.

The village average annual income has decreased from 350m/- to 10m/- after joining the WMA bordering the world famous Serengeti National Park and game reserves of Ikorongo and Grumeti. Other villages forming the WMA are Robanda, Park Nyigoti, Natta Mbiso, Makundusi and Nyichoka.

THE CRY OF MOTHER EARTH

My name is mother Earth. The mother and father of all mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, failures and heroes.
I am here to register both my annoyances and grievances caused by my spouse called Humanity!!!!Hey you Mr. Man! Don’t you know that you depend on my loving and that without me you are nothing? But i don’t feel our love is any more mutual, because it seems to you i am no longer special.
Mind you i am the mother and father of all creation and my love goes beyond the boundary of your nation.

MNATAKA MUNGU ASHUKE ILI AJE KULINDA MALI ASILI ZETU?

Jukumu la kulinda Mali asili za nchi ni la kila mmoja wetu. Kila Mtanzania ana jukumu la kuhakikisha kwamba mali asili za nchi zinalindwa na kusimamiwa vizuri ili hata vizazi vijavyo viweze kunufaika na mali asili zilizopo nchini. Mbali na jukumu la ulinzi wa mali asili kuwa ni la kila Mtanzania, kuna watu wengine ambao kimsingi wamepewa dhamana ya usimamizi na ulinzi wa mali asili hizi, ambao ni pamoja na watumishi wa idara ya misitu au maafisa misitu, maafisa wanyamapori na maafisa uvuvi.

ADOPTING SUSTAINABLE LAND USE MANAGEMENT (SLM) FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN TANZANIA

Agricultural land is getting scarce as the population grows and the high pressure on land for agricultural production sometimes leads to cleaning of natural vegetation and cultivation on steep slopes.

MAASAI WOMEN SUFFERINGS

Women in Loovikuny village encounter hardship situation because of climate change to the area which caused by drought. In earlier time 1970’s there was no such problem but due to the population in the area the situation was changed and cause many problem to women and children who are the working group in Maasai culture.

WHY SHOULD WE PRACTICE INNER PEACE?

We can look at this from a few different angles. Suppose that we were to take a bucket and scoop up some water, including a bit of muddy sediment, from a lake. The water is a bit murky because the sediment has been mixed with the water and is in motion. If someone was to ask what is inside of the water, would we be able to tell them? We might be able to make some good guesses. Maybe there's a piece of a tire, maybe a shoe, or a license plate, or maybe a fish. In reality we would have to wait for the sediment to settle for us to really be able to see and then know.

TO WHOM ARE NGOs ACCOUNTABLE?

There has been misconception about NGO’s and donors. Many people failed to understand to whom these NGOs are accountable. I have been touched by this subject and fix on to disclose the hidden mysterious to Donors, NGO’s members and those who wish to have NGOs in the near future since having this piece of information, I believe, will enforce the stakeholders to change their attitude positively and push forward Tanzanian’s developments in all aspects of culture, social economic and political.

CONGRATULATION TEMEKE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, MORE IS EXPECTED.

Few months ago we had witnessed four Lories from Hyundai company been given to Temeke Municipal council for caring wastes to the dumps. The main objective was to make the city clean, attractive, and conducive for human beings to live and enjoy the environment as in other developed city’s in the world, “Congratulation”.

The Temeke municipal Director said “the lories could help to solve the problem of wastes scattered in different areas in the municipality”, it’s true that the lorries have brought the new hope about the city’s cleanliness but I want to remind the district government that they have challenges to educate the citizens.

DECENT EMPLOYMENT A PATHWAY OUT OF POVERTY

High percent of the world’s poor live in rural areas. Rural communities generally rely on agriculture, forestry, fisheries and livestock for their livelihoods. Many rural workers remain poor because they receive low earnings and live and work in precarious conditions, are vulnerable to health and other shocks and have little access to risk-coping mechanisms such as insurance or social assistance.

YES “EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER” EVEN WHEN IT COMES TO CONSERVATION.

Unlike other wards of Meru district which COMECA is implementing the project on the 1998 forest policy training, Songoro does not have that much forest degradation as compared to her neighbors, Nkwarisambu and Sing'isi. The hills of this periphery ward looks well conserved, the trees and other vegetation looking younger in most parts. When you are here, u can hardly feel that scorching sun which is a character in most dry not-well-conserved areas including populated urban areas.

NURTURING CONSERVATION SKILLS AMONG THE LEADERS IS NOW THE WAY TO GO!

A recent training on Community Based Forest Management at Seela village of Singisi ward in the new Meru district has brought into attention that sometimes our environment could be well conserved if we could equip and train our local leaders with conservation skills.

IS IT RIGHT TIME TO EMPOWER VILLAGE NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEES?

The Mkupuka Village Natural Resource Committee found near Ikwiriri in Rufiji district has proven the fact that it is possible for communities to protect their own forest resources. It was 3rd September of this year (2011) when we caught timber harvested illegally in our forest (Ngumburuni Forest) said Mkupuka village chairperson Mr Issa Moyogani.
I have reported to the village council and we have agreed to sell all timber confiscated, 70% will go to the village government for village development and 30% will support village natural resource committee

THE CAMPAIGN OF CONSERVING THE LUNGS OF DAR ES SALAAM WILL RESCUE KAZIMZUMBWI AND PUGU FOREST RESERVE

Pugu and Kazimzumbwi forest reserve is a big resource which is available at Ilala district in Dar es Salaam and Kisarawe in coastal region. Different environmental expert claims that, those reserves have resources including different animals and plants. These forests reserves are a source of Kizinga river which are the one of river which preserves water downwards in Dar es Salaam region

A CRY FROM ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEES IN MBEYA CITY!!

Mbeya city has wards environmental committees which were formed in 2007 but they don’t have full mandate in operation as their cry. The committees comprise of members from each street within the ward. They were formed in order to supervise the environmental conservation and protection.

I visited Ruanda and Ilomba wards environmental committees where I met with its members from streets. The environmental committee members directed their cry to the Mbeya city council on the environmental department especially to the City Environmental Management Officer, health officers and local community.

AGRO FORESTRY AS ONE WAY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.

Agro forestry includes practices that involve a close association of crops and trees, animal and pasture and this helps in environmental conservation because small area can be used to accommodate farming activities that one has planned to conduct such as growing pasture and grazing animals in the same area, this reduce the movement of animals from one area to another hence decrease the rate of soil erosion.

TOBACCO PRODUCTION A THREAT TO SAVANNAH WOODLANDS IN TANZANIA

‘Processing a hectare of tobacco may consume woodfuel equivalent to one hectare of savannah woodland’’
It is very true that tobacco is essentially a smallholder enterprise in Tanzania. There are so far more than 56,500families, with more than 339,000 people, engaged in tobacco growing.

The production involves the use of indigenous species which are Brachystegia, Jubernadia, Erythophreum africanum, Afromosia angolensis and Eucalyptus spp. These indigenous species are difficult to be regenerated because of adverse environmental factors as well as the inherent characteristics of some of the species involved.

WHERE IS THE COMMUNITY TO CONSERVE OUR NATURAL FORESTRY?

Natural forest that are found in different places in our country has been destroyed while they are the main source of important services that we depend much in our well being such as the source of water, fresh air, rainfall and climate regulation in general.
Chimala village is one of the villages that is adjacent to Chimala natural forest reserve that has been destroyed

PASTORAL COMMUNITIES NEED MORE SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

This was discovered during the Young Environmentalists Trainees (YET’s) visit to Simanjiro community radio station and the Maasai community surrounding the radio station. The production manager Wilbert Kiwale informed YET’s that there were several programs of environment education by the radio to the Maasai community

MARINE CONSERVATION AND QUARRYING ACTIVITIES IN MTWARA COST ZONE.

Several times from different actors including KIMWAM, community in Mtwara cost zone had been provided with marine resources conservation knowledge that contributed to minimise the rate of marine degradation particularly through white corals harvesting

BOUNDARY CLEARANCE AS ONE OF THE MAIN ACTIVITIES TO MAINTAIN AND PROTECT THE FOREST

Among many other activities which ensure forest maintenance and protection, boundary clearance is the best method that ensures the security of the forest by restricting and minimizing wild fires for the sustainable
Utilization of the forest.

DEATH TWISTERS BACK TO LIFE

Vultures are large birds of prey famously known as the best death twisters back into life as they consume dead animals to earn their living. Each year the first Saturday of September it is an International Vulture’s Awareness Day (IVAD) with the aim of raising awareness on vulture’s conservation. Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST) as ambassadors of birds conservation, are expecting to commemorate the International Vulture’s Awareness Day on 10th September 2011 at Dar Es Salaam Zoo. During the commemoration there will be different activities concerning vultures’ conservation.

IS OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO CONSERVE ENVIRONMENT

There is some local saying which states that, if we conserve our environment properly, it will conserve us as well, but nobody cares. Instead we are putting our life at risks for not conserving our environment. We experience problems such as diseases like cholera, unpleasant smell, excessive hotness, drought, bush fires and sometimes death.

JOURNALIST: THE KEY INFORMANTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

Most people do not know the role played by journalist in promoting environment conservation. Many community members have negative attitude toward them as they think that they are liars, but in real sense, Journalists are the ones providing us with information about different environment issues. Journalists not only create awareness to community members but also advocate and expose various evil things which are affecting our environment.

AGROFORESTRY: AN ALTERNATIVE TO LAND MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS IN TANZANIA

Agroforestry is a land use system that integrates trees (wwody perenials), crops and/or animals in a system on the same piece of land in order to get higher productivity, greater economic returns and more social benefits on a sustainable basis. This can be done by planting trees and crops together in the same field at the same time, or they can be planted in a rotational system.

WHY ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND LAWS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE IN TANZANIA

Since independent 1961 Tanzania have formulated very good environmental laws, policies and strategies such as Forest act no 14 (2002), environmental management act no 20, 2004, fisheries act no 22 of 2003, wildlife conservation act no 12 of 1974 and policies includes environmental policy of 1997, foresty policy of 1998, wildlife of 1998 and tourism policy of 1999. Not only that but also strategies for supporting sustainable implementation of such laws eg. MKUKUTA and MKURABITA in mainland MKUZA in Zanzibar. Why environmental destruction still engulfing the country? Below are the key reasons:

IS GLOBALIZATION PROCESS FAIR TO THE ENVIRONMENT?

The whole world is captured with the highest stage of Development. This stage is Globalization. Globalization can be defined as rapidly increasing complex interactions between societies, cultures, economies, technologies, governance, institutions and individual world wide.

IS CROPPING UNDER A CANOPY FRIENDLY TO SUSTAINABLE FARMING?

Agro forestry is becoming increasingly important throughout the world. Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations confirms that while the number of trees in forests is still declining every year, the number of trees on farms is steadily increasing.

FOREST IS LIFE

Forest is important in our lives. it provides medicine, firewood, timber, charcoal making, as well as it also absorb carbon dioxide which has adverse impact in our health, attracts rainfalls which helps our crops to grow well as result contribute in national economy.

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO PRESERVE OUR ENVIRONMENT?

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO PRESERVE OUR ENVIRONMENT? This question was answered by the Director of Environment Division at the Vice Presidents Office during a discussion with LHRC officials including the current and former YET.

VILLAGE NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE AND ITS RESPONSILITIES IN CONSERVING FOREST RESOURCES IN WEST USAMBARA

VNRC is the group of people who has been selected by the village members of the community to be responsible in managing of natural resources available in the village on behalf of the entire village.

CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS OUR LIFE: WE SHOULD TAKE MEASURES TO COPE WITH THAT CHANGES

The problems associated with climate change affects people’s livelihood in almost aspects of life i.e. socially, economically, and culturally. Climate change brought changes in temperature, floods drought and rise of the sea level. In Tanzania there are some evidence which shows the climate change is there and continuing taking place particularly in our surrounding areas.

ALLOWANCES VS KNOWLEDGE IN MTWARA DISTRICT.

In Mtwara and other part of our country, community has been affected by allowance acquisitions as factor for training and meeting attending. That is even in activities that benefit an individual person such as training or a small meeting if you will not provide them with allowances very few will attend you meeting.

WANAMAZINGIRA TUJIFUNZE NINI KUTOKA WIZARA YA MALI ASILI NA UTALII?

Hivi karibuni kuliibuka sakata la kutoroshwa kwa wanyama hai nchini kwa kutumia ndege ya jeshi la Qatar uliofanyika katika uwanja wa ndege wa kimataifa wa Kilimanjaro( KIA).Kwa habari zilizosikika miongoni mwa vyombo vya habari wanyama hai waliotoroshwa kwa njama ni zaidi ya 120 na thamani yao ni takriban sh. Milioni 6.9 ambao ni ndege hai na jumla ya fedha za wanyama wote hai hao ikiwa ni shilingi 170,570,500.

TEETHLESS BMUs AT MTWARA

BMUs plays a great role in sense of marine conservation and community development and this is only if they are well formulated and given full mandate to control their resources. BMUs has very big roles to play, such as undertaking monitoring activities, licence inspections, inspection to illegal fishing, protecting resources from all forms of pollution, resources data collection, environmental conservation, tax collection and many more.

TOWARDS EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN FOREST MANAGEMENT: A LOT NEED TO BE DONE.

Every time I get the opportunity to speak with communities in Meru district, particularly the rural communities over issues of community participation for effective management of forest resources, I note a great confusion that lies within the minds of these key stakeholders.

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO PRESERVE OUR ENVIRONMENT?

This question was answered by the Director of Environment Division at the Vice Presidents Office during a discussion with LHRC officials including the current and former YET. The LHRC members were majorly concerned by the increasing destruction of the environment by the investors.

DID YOU KNOW THE POTENTIAL OF SOME SOLID WASTES?

On august, 2011 I had a field visit to Muleba District aiming at training different community groups on matters pertaining to conservation of natural resources.

EASTERN ARC MOUNTAIN FOREST CAMPAIGN SHOCKED.

The process of seeking support from UNESCO to recognize parts of eastern arc mountain to be among word heritage sites started mid 1990s, but now it seems as if the dream of environmental stakeholders to achieve their goals has stunned by government.
The Daily News of Thursday, March 31, 2011, reported the president’s visit to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, he ordered the ministry to stop seeking support from UNESCO

WHEN THE WANANCHI FIRES THE VILLAGE GOVERNMENT OVER POOR ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE

If there are still those who hold the mentality that the local communities know nothing and therefore do not care about the environment, the the villagers in Nkwarisambu village have proved them wrong.

THE VOICE OF THE VOICELESS

ORS FM is the community radio at Simanjiro district. The founder of this station is Mr. Martin Karungi, the Maasai elite from orkonerei village in the particular district. The Radio started to air its programs in 22nd June 2002 with the mission of promoting local artists and rise cases concerning the Maasai society.

FIELD WORK IN MULEBA: AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER

A total of 50 participants from different community groups dealing with various issues in Muleba District were trained on Fisheries policy of 1997, Fisheries Act No.22 of 2003, Environmental Management Act No.20 of 2004 and other Laws/Acts safeguarding the environment .

NGORONGORO A PROVINCE FULL OF NATURAL RESOURCES,

In the recent past whenever a person talks about Ngorongoro, the perception of majority will think of Loliondo not because it is the headquarters of the province but because of “babu” (the retired pastor Ambilikile Mwaisapila who is said to be curing chronic patients in Samunge village in Loliondo).

HAPPINESS IN THE MEETING

It was on 5th June 2011 I was attending the ward meeting in Kimandolu. The Ward Councilor Mr, Malla was talking to his people on the promises he made during campaigns. The meeting was held near the ward offices at Tindigani ground.

WHERE IS THE LAW IMPLEMENTATION?

The environmental laws are being violated without any measures. It was on 2nd June 2011 when I was invited by City Environmental Management Officer in Mbeya City to attend cleanliness of the Ilomba ward so as to celebrate the environmental day as a call by the United Nations but the environmental laws were not implemented.
Many people in Ilomba ward responded positively

WHO IS KILLING THE WILDLIFE IN LOLIONDO?

The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Ezekiel Maige, has warned the tribal leaders that unless a way is found to conserve the forests then he will have no choice but to order the eviction of people from a number of Maasai villages. Their leaders reject the claims and highlight the fact that Maasai community lands are among the most diverse for wildlife in Africa. This is not the first time that the Maasai have been threatened with eviction. But the question still remains, who is killing the wildlife in Loliondo?

DO YOU KNON WONDERS AND PONTENTIAL OF CORRALS?

Corrals are animals in the phylum Cnidarians. Corrals found in marine environment are shallow water that reserve enough light. Maximum 60 to 90m they live at the place where no too much sed. Corrals grow in different shapes such as mushroom shape, cabbage shape, brain shape and treelike shape.

ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE IN KAZIMZUMBWI FOREST RESERVE

Kazimzumbwi forest reserves is located in Pwani region at Kisarawe district, the forest has 4887 ha (35.5 km2) area. It was established in 1936 and declared to be the forest reserve, since then the forest provides number of ecological services such as high biodiversity (flora and fauna) and water for the communities living adjacent the forest.

PUGU AND KAZIMZUMBWI FOREST RESERVE CHANGED ITS VEGETATION TYPE FROM FORESTED LAND TO BUSHLAND AND GRASSLAND

Tanzania has lost thousands of hectares of forests through deforestation and degradation arising mainly from anthropogenic factors such as unsustainable harvesting of forest products, agriculture expansion and wild fires and mining.

WHO SHOULD PROTECT OUR FORESTS?

As we are celebrating the international year of forest, there are still problems on the way our forests are being protected. The forest officials have been accused of not following the laws and harassing the villagers near forest reserves making them not only to see the benefit of the existence of the forest but also start hating and making efforts to destroy instead of protecting our forests.

'WONDER OF NATURE'

The researchers described the Serengeti as "a rare and iconic example of an ecosystem driven by a large mammal migration". That annual north-to-south trek involves about 1.5 million animals, including wildebeest and zebra.

SERENGETI ROAD SCRAPPED OVER WILDLIFE CONCERNS

Controversial plans to build a tarmac road across the Serengeti National Park have been scrapped after warnings that it could devastate wildlife.

The Tanzanian government planned a two-lane highway across the park to connect Lake Victoria with coastal ports. But studies showed it could seriously affect animals such as wildebeest and zebra, whose migration is regarded as among the wonders of the natural world.

UNEP CALLS FOR MASSIVE INVESTMENTS IN FORESTS

The United Nations (UN) marked the world Environmental Day (WED) on Sunday, 5th June 2001 by calling on the international community to invest an additional 40 billion U.S dollars annually in the forestry sector to halve deforestation rates by 2030.

NO CONTINENT FOR OLD MEN? WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR AFRICAN VALUES?

We urgently need to launch a movement to stop cruelty against old men. From April this year I have weeping seeing, those heartless protectors bounding old men in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya out of office, in total disregard of their contribution over the decades to creating strong governments, controlling bad elements in society, building strong economic etc. this cruelty against veteran rules must be addressed.

OVERVIEW OF ARUSHA CITY FROM MOUNT KIMANDOLU’S PEAK

Kimandolu (Enigma endolu) is a Maasai word meaning fire axe. In 1980’s the area at Kimandolu was covered by thick forest, one could hear reflection sound like someone chopping firewood from the forest, hence the origin of the name “Kimandolu”.

WE MUST REJECT OUR BACKWARD POLITICAL LEADER FOR

The escalating cost of living that is consigning many Tanzanians to object poverty is directly linked to the fact that for five decades since independence in 1961 we have failed to develop our country. Tanzania has grown poorer and weaker with each divisive policy and programmes’, our self-seeking leaders have designed to fight each other, instead of collaborating to overcome poverty, our main enemy.

EXRA MILES BEYOND DYNAMITE FISHING

Not many people know the seriousness and extent of the problem of dynamite fishing but it suffices to say that it extends along the coastal area and some extent in the inland water. Dynamite fishing is among illegal fishing which has a great impacts to our natural resources as well as environment, this is because once it is practised it brings effects not only to the fish but also to other resources like marinebioderversities,environment as well as humans.

STRUGGLE FOR WATER DISRUPTS GIRLS-CHILD’ ACADEMIC PROGRESS!

They pass the commodity upwards as they hum traditional repertoires, oblivious of the danger posed by wild animals searching for the same water. About 200 pupils at Park Nyigoti division, Serengeti district, risk dropping out of school due to the prevailing harsh drought conditions.

IMAGINE THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN WILDLIFE WITHOUT CONSERVATION

Just imagine you wake up one day and no single wildlife specie is anywhere to be seen. All national parks have become bare lands with no single wildlife. No tourist is therefore coming to this country. All tourists’ hotels, lodges, tour safari companies, have all stopped down. No such employments anymore. Everything in the tourism industry has gone. No wildlife. No national parks. The percentage of gross domestic product that used to come from tourism is no longer flowing. Tourism and the rich biodiversity we used to be proud of have become history and our country is no longer a tourist destination. How does click into your mind?

FARMING ACTIVITIES ALONG LAKE BURUNGE LEADS TO LOSS OF AQUATIC SPECIES!

Species in Lake Burunge are in danger because of the farming activities that are taking place along the shores of the lake. Lake Burunge is found at Babati district in Manyara region; This Lake has an area of about 40sqkm and its depth ranges from 7M to 8M. There has been farming activities taking place near the banks of the lake which makes some of the chemicals like pesticide and artificial fertilizers contaminate with lake’s water.

NO CONTINENT FOR OLD MEN? WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR AFRICAN VALUES?

We urgently need to launch a movement to stop cruelty against old men. From April this year I have weeping seeing, those heartless protectors bounding old men in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya out of office, in total disregard of their contribution over the decades to creating strong governments, controlling bad elements in society, building strong economic etc. this cruelty against veteran rules must be addressed.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN MINING

The polluted world: Nyakalabe village!
Destruction of the environment is destruction of life. This was confirmed when the team from Corporate and Environment Unit under the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) visited Nyakalabe village in Geita near the Geita Gold Mine (GGM). On our arrival in the village we first met with a teacher who was eager to inform us on the environmental pollutions occurring in the area due to the present of the mining company with a condition that he remains unanimous.

A RIVER BETWEEN THE CITY TURNS INTO A DUMPING SITE

Communities living along river Ihanga that flows its water between the city are miserable. They have been dumping the garbage’s and other remains of the materials like rusted irons, remains from carpentry, plastic bags and rugs in the river.

PROTECTION OF FOREST, OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

The forest is a wide area of land covered by trees and inhabited animals in their natural habitats. Usually the benefits derived from the forest do not go to only its inhabitants but also to a large extent all humans. Some of these benefits include the provision of food, formation of cloud resulting in rainfall, creation of employment and medicinal herbs.

INITIATIVE TO SAVE THE SERENGETI

The ongoing debate on the construction of the Serengeti highway may result our country into great risk of loosing one of its important world heritage sites. There is a great need for the Government of Tanzania to put extra efforts to rescue the Serengeti from losing her unique biodiversity. This can be achieved through taking alternative plans and initiate views from different stakeholders on taking alternative routes for the construction of the highway.

WHAT ARE OUR PRIORITIES?

Out of curiosity I recently ran into a publication by Sikika and Policy forum, titled unnecessary expenditure. This is a normal issue to a Tanzania government. Unnecessary expenditure focuses the way to spend money.

The idea is very simple; the government of poor people should also moderately spend money on what matters most.

A BIG THREAT TO AQUATIC SPECIES FOUND IN LAKE BURUNGE

The aquatic species in Lake Burunge found Manyara region are under the threat of being decreasing and disappearing. This is due to the human activities such as agricultural fishing and livestock keeping which are taking place on the shores.

WHY IS LAKE BURUNGE BEING DESTROYED?

The "brown Lake" as some people refer to Lake Burunge is facing imminent extinction! The reason it is referred to as the brown lake is because its main habitants are the catfish known to stir mud and hence the brown colour. This lake is located in Babati district and it’s among two other lakes in the district which are Lake Manyara and Babati. Young Environmentalists Trainees (YETs) during their visit noted that the continued destruction of the lake was due to inadequate community participation in the fishery sector leading to non adherence of laws.

CONSTRUCTION OF HOTELS IN THE BEACHES AND WHAT THE LAWS PROVIDES!

In April this month an investor burned to death a Tanzanian he suspected to be a thief at south beach hotel in Kigamboni. The incident raised many questions, among others being the legality of construction of hotels in the beaches and their effect to the fishery sector. This was a question raised by many and especially human rights and environmental activists.

LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FOR SUSTANABLE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

There is several studies which have been conducted to identify various solution if natural resources are managed sustainable and equitably. One of the approaches which has been adopted in different areas and proved success is participatory natural resource management. This is quite different to the community living around Lake Burunge in Babati. Babati district council decided to close down the fishing activities in the lake for six months and other six months for fishing each year, without involving local community which their life depend much on the lake.

IS DODOMA GONNA BE A CLEAN CITY ONE DAY?

On the way to Singida through Bahi road, there is a huge damp. The area is being polluted with plastic bags and plastic bottles.Scarps and other dirty materials are damped everyday. Always a heavy smoke is being seen from this damp towards people’s residence areas if these rubbishes are burnt.

SHALL WE LET ALL THE FOREST LAND GOES WHILE WE STAND ASIDE AND LOOK?

Statistics have it that in many developing countries more than 80% of the total energy consumed by people derives from forestry. In Tanzania alone, annual charcoal consumption is about one million tones. Half of that charcoal goes to Dar es Salaam where 73% of households use it as their first choice.

IS IT A REAL ENVIRONMENTAL DAY?

The whole world celebrates environmental day each year. On 5th June, 2011 it will be celebrated at global level. Truly the situation of environment in Tanzania is terrible. Destructive activities increase day after a day. Deforestation, overgrazing, bush fire and forest fires, charcoal burning and environmental pollution has become dominant activities in most of Tanzania societies. Will environmental day change this situation?

YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALIST TRAINEES (YET’s) AS CHANGE AGENTS IN IYF 2011

2011 is the International Year of Forests (IYF) and celebrations were officially launched on 2nd February, 2011 during the 9th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests in New York. Forests issues are essential links to livelihoods, addressing climate change and other environmental challenges. But they are also cornerstones of our economies, whose real value has all too often been invisible in national accounts of profit and loss (UNEP 2011).

MY TRIP TO BUSWELU VILLAGE

Buswelu village is in beautiful mountain scenery, has good and fertile soils, good people, a lot of water springs and catchment which makes it a good place and one of the precious places in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region.

THE POTENTIALS OF CATFISH

Burunge Lake is among of the three lakes in Manyara region. The lake has 40 square kilometer and it has average depth of 8 miters. In spite of having other species such as tilapia, rockets, and catfish is the dominant specie in this lake. Catfish can be identified by their whisker-like barbells round the mouth which they use to locate food in dark water, and they vary from small, peaceful species to larger, more predatory species. These scales less bottom feeder eat a wide variety of foods, including algae, small fish, prepared food and scavenged debris. Therefore catfish are environmental cleaner.

THREATENED FISH AT LAKE BURUNGE.

“The rate at which fish is being consumed is posing a threat to the existence of fish in Lake Burunge”. This has been observed at Lake Burunge in Bahati District where by some fish species which are found in this lake such as cut fish, aprochromus, Oreochromis, tilapia and rocket have all been threatened by human activities around the lake. Several species of these have been greatly overfished and killed by pesticides from farms along the lake.

THE WORSENESS OF COASTAL TOURISM INVESTORS

After the collapse of socialism policy in the word, Tanzania had no other option than to accept the free market policy from the western countries in 1980s, the policy which has dominated the universe.

WHY THIS?

It was during my field at Babati district in Manyara region. The objective of the trip was to study and learn about environmental conservation in the region. I visited three villages; Halla, Ayasanda and Haraa.

When I was in Halla village I met an old man known as Mr. Joachim John, who was born in 1937 in southern part of Tanzania. Mr. Joachim started to preserve the environment in 1985 in Halla village. During that time, environmental destruction was high, that’s why Mr. Joachim decided to ask the local government to give himland as an individual for private ownership.

THE GREAT HALLA

Oooh Halla! Solution to Galapo, Kashi, Jundahida and Jadamari. Availability of water through out the year. The great Halla every one should bow to you, you bring back happiness to us, ooh Halla the great!!. Presence of trees attracts water table to be near to the earth surface which leads to the formation of spring in the forest.

The catchments area develop where by the volume of water increase and form a river, The government fix pipe to the catchments area which direct water to the four villages that is Jedamari , Kashi, Jundahida and Galapo.

DOING ENVIRONMENTAL WORK IN A LOCAL COMMUNITY BY CONSIDERING A SPECIFIC CONTEXT

Declining of environmental conservation in Tanzania has been partly due to poverty as one of the factors, this is because many people at local level cut down trees for charcoal, firewood and for house building without replanting other trees. It is also believed that the rate of planting trees is very low due to low income of the people and awareness on the importance of environmental conservation in their given localities.

IS CONSERVATION OF FORESTS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE?

It was in my field visit at Babati district in Manyara region when I got a golden opportunity to visit about three villages that is Ayasanda, Halla and Harra as well. In the villages I witnessed an old man and some other community members putting their extra efforts on conserving their forests.

Mr. Joachim Tambo aged (74) was an old man I met in Halla, he put much efforts on planting different kinds of trees like mikuyu, grevelia eucalyptus, kigeria, africano and many others.

REGULATION OF CHARCOAL SECTOR: SOLUTION TO ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

An estimated 90 percent of Tanzania’s energy consumption is coming from wood fuels. Charcoal is the single largest source of household energy in urban areas as it considered as cheap and easy to transport, distribute and store. Between 2001-2007, the proportion of households in Dar es Salaam using charcoal raised from 47 percent to 71 percent. Approximately half of Tanzanian annual consumption of charcoal race in Dar es Salaam amounting to approximately 5000,000 tones.

COMMUNITY BASED FOREST MANAGEMENT; A WORKING TOOL FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Community Based Forest Management takes place on village land or private land, and the trees are owned and managed by either a village council [through a village natural resources committee] a group or an individual. All the costs and benefits relating to management and utilization are carried by the owner. The role of the central government is minimal and the district has a role only in monitoring. The vivid examples of community based forest management are found in Babati district particularly to those different villages like Hala, Ayasanda as well as Haraa. In both Ayasanda and Haraa forests are owned and managed by village council but at Hala village we found that the forest owned and managed by an individual known as Joachim Hamo.

IS PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT A SOLUTION TO DEFORESTATION?

Participatory Forest Management (PFM) refers to processes and mechanism that enable those people who have a direct stake in forest resources to be part of decision making in all aspects of forest management, from managing resources to formulating and implementing institutional framework.

Deforestation occurs for many reasons, trees or derived charcoal are used as or sold for fuel or as timber while cleared land is used as a pasture for livestock, plantations of commodities and settlements.

HEROES OF ENVIRONMENT

The world's environment is at great risk today compared to some years ago. Human beings are witness of drying rivers, the raising of the sea level, increasing of heat and frequent occurrence of natural hazards; all these are caused by various Human activities. However, many people are still conducting their activities without environmental conscious, few individuals and groups of people haven emerged as environmental Heroes, among them are Mzee Joachim and Haraa villagers.

WEALTH UNDER MARINE RESOURCE

For the societies along Mtwara coast belts oysters are famous fish type for their daily consumption. However, these fish category are very unique and important for wealth generation, this is due to availability and reproduction of peals within them that used for ornamental purpose.These fish are naturally found in the sea but nowadays fishermen/women in Collaboration with KIMWAM “Mtwara People’s Umbrella Organization” has started human controlled oyster production, which insures availability and controlled peals development in the farm till the harvesting season.

THE CRY OF MTUNGUTU FOREST!

On the way to Arusha through Kondoa road in Bahi district, there is a large natural forest known as Mtungutu. It is one of the largest forests in Dodoma region. It consists of various species of trees that endures semi arid climatic condition. It covers three villages; Zanka, Mundemu and Babayu. It also consist a variable species of wild animals like antelopes, hare, hyena, monkeys, squeals and wild dogs.

THE POTENTIALS OF “MKWAJU” TREE

Mkwaju is a large tree to 30 meters in diameter with an extensive dense crown. The short bole can be one meter in rough, grey; flaking and leaves is compound in hairy stalks to 15 cm, 10 to 18 pairs leaflets, dull green to 3 cm round the tips and base and veins raised.
Flowers; buds reds, petals gold with red veins inn small bunches. Its fruits are pale brown sausage like, hairy pods about 10 cm, cracking when mature to show sticky, brown pulp around 1 to 10 dark brown angular seeds. It is propagation is through seedling, wilding and direct sowing.

COMMUNITIES DEPEND ON MOUNTAIN RESOURCES

Tanzanian President nullifies application to grant Eastern Mountains as World Heritage Site
Tanzania's President has rejected an application to place some mountains in the Eastern Arc under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a World Heritage Site.The President, Mr. Jakaya Kikwete, nullified an application that was submitted to UNESCO by Tanzania's Ministry of Tourism, which was looking for the UN body to assess and grant the Udzungwa and Uluguru mountain ranges in the Eastern Arc Mountains, the status of World Heritage Site.

EARTH DAY 2011: A LESSON TO TANZANIA

In recognition of the power of millions of individual actions, Earth Day 2011 organizes around a Billion Acts of Green; Personal, organizational and corporate pledges to live and act sustainably.

“A Billion Acts of Green”, is the theme chosen for Earth Day on 22 April, 2011 to inspire and reward both simple individual acts, organizational and governmental initiatives that further the goal of measurably reducing carbon emissions, supporting sustainability and to register one billion actions in advance of the Earth Summit in Rio in 2012.

BIRDS ARE THREATENED CREATURE IN CITIES.

More than 30 kinds of birds and their cry!!
More than 30 species of birds within Mbeya city but it keeps decreasing yearly. The species include Sunbirds, Pied crow, Hammerkop, Black Kite, Olive Pigeon, African Mourning Dove, Common bulbul, White Browned Robin Chat, Variable Sunbird, Black and White Mannin,Yellow White-Eye, Amethyst Sunbird, Eastern Double Collared Sunbird, Tawny-Flanked Prinnia, Schalows Turaco, Barn Swallow and many others. These are found in districts of Mbeya town, Mbeya rural, Chunya, Rungwe, Mbozi, Kyela Ileje and Mbalali.

URBANIZATION IN RANGES OF MOUNT MPOROTO

Ranges of mount Mporoto are located in Mbeya City-Tanzania. The mountain is covered by natural forest which is managed by the Government. In this forest there are different wild animals and one of them endemic specie known as KIPUNJE by its local name, and also at the top of this mountain there is a natural lake called lake IGOSI.

GLOBALLY THREATENED BIRD IN THE EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS

THE LONG-BILLED TAILORBIRD Artisornis moreaui
The East Usambara Mountains are home to the critically endangered Long-billed Tailorbird Artisornis moreaui, one of the rarest birds in Tanzania. The specie has a global population restricted to the East Usambara Mountains in Tanzania and the Njesi plateau in northern Mozambique. It was discovered in the Amani Nature Reserve in 1930, though it is currently found in other parts of the East Usambara plateau.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT: A STRONG STRATEGY IN NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION

For the past years, Conservation of nature and environment in Tanzania was believed to be responsibility of the Government through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. More recently, International, National and local Non- Government Organizations for Natural Resource conservation such as World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Frunkfut Zoological Society (FZS), Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG), Environmental Management and Economic Development Organization(EMEDO),Wildlife Conservation Society Tanzania (WCST) and many others have increasingly involved in conservational of natural resources.

MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIR POLLUTION IN DAR ES SALAAM CITY

You can go days without food and hours without water, but you won't last a few minutes without air. As human beings, on average we breath over 3,000 gallons of air per person each day. In addition to consuming up so much air in 24 hours over the course of 365 days humans manage to inhale precisely 1,095,000 gallons of air throughout the year. That’s a large amount of air that humans not only need but demand as means to survive in everyday life.

If you ask me, better it wouldn’t be to our benefits as human beings, if we live in a non polluted environment. The only possible logical answer to that question would have to be a sound and potent yes! But the so popular question still remains the same why should we be concerned about air pollution? It is only commonsense to figure out that you must have air to live.

THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL BY LAWS ON LIVELIHOODS AT AYASANDA AND HARAA VILLAGES

Environmental conservation of natural resources practiced by villages of Ayasanda and Haraa is a result of the by laws developed by the village council. Ayasanda and Haraa are villages which conserve the environment under the community based forestry management system. These villages are located at 18 Km from Babati town to Kondoa.
Mrs Anna Belto Litemba Haraa chairperson committee said; “Ulinzi shirikishi wa msitu bila sheria hauwezi kufanikiwa”. She explained that the success on conserving the forest is through by laws. By laws establish Village Environmental Committee (VEC) at village level. The by-laws clear state the structure, functions, obligations, responsibilities, revenues, expenditures, objectives, and principles governing the committee.

WILD-ANIMAL POPULATION AT RISK!

An invasive weed threatens pasture land and the ecosystem of the Maasai Mara. The International Union of for conservation of Nature (ICUN) has issued an alert on the weed commonly known as Santa Maria feverfew.

The Serengeti-Maasai Mara ecosystem in Africa which host the largest wildlife migration known to man, is under attack from a noxious weed” the ICUN alert.
The Serengeti-Maasai Mara is home of African’s largest herbivore population. At the start of annual rainy season, millions of wildebeest, gazelles, zebras and giraffes leave the Tanzanian Savannah for pasture in the plains of Kenya. In December, the animals leave Kenya to Tanzania creating a tourist spectacle, all these at risk.

DID YOU KNOW TRADITIONAL MEANS OF CONTROL PEST AND DISEASES?

Long time ago our grant parents used many traditional methods to control pest and diseases. They used backs, leaves, roots and animals product such as dung and urine. These methods are friendly to environment. At that time there were no inorganic chemicals which were used to control pest and disease to their crop, so they thought other alternative way to reduce destruction of crops.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN NATURE PRIVATE FOREST PARADISE !

Mzee Joachim John Tambo is an old man white hair walks with the help of a stick known as Mkongojo.His house decorated with a greenish plant like banana trees and some animals and birds such as Duck, Cows and Goats. Mzee Joachim lives in Halla village in Babati district and owns private forest. He is doing other activities such as tree nursery, taking care of tree fruits and hortculture.

SUCCESS OF PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL ON PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT

The Halla forest is owned by one Mr.Joachim Tambo an old man born on 1937, the forest is a Private Forest Reserve, it has a large area and enough space as well as many attractive things, like a variety of trees in the forest (natural and planted ones), water sources from the spring, monkeys and a garden area where there are many species such as pawpaw, mango, orange, coffee tree and vegetable such as trivelia.

DID YOU KNOW THE CONTRIBUTION OF COMMUNITY IN PROTECTION OF FOREST?

The involvement of the community in forest was new concept which was established by the government at the early 1990’s this aimed to replace the previous system where government used to own all forest reserve areas. At Ayasanda village in Babati, before the government return the forest to the community, there were open discussion on the crucial benefit that community might get upon decide to protect the forest. The community started to participate fully in securing forest from been degraded, few years later they started benefited from their effort.

According to chairman of Ayasanda village Mr. Kwentlema Khwantlay “forest declared to be under community based forest management in 4/10/1994”, every village around the forest were responsible to ensure the survival of the forest. There after they establish environmental committee, which effective started to implement by-laws as means to support the policy. Inoder to reduce forest destruction the following was agreed: some products such as firewood, grasses, medicine and wild fruit were allowed to be collected freely, some uses of forest products were allowed after having licence, examples poles, logs, and fire wood used in schools and institution. The last category was the restricted uses of some of the forest product such as removing of backs of the tree, making fire, timber and charcoal production. All those categories have played the vital roles in the protection of the forest.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF PRIVATE FOREST MANAGEMENT TO AN INDIVIDUAL’S DEVELOPMENT AT HALLA VILLAGE

Mr. Joachim Tambo was born in 1937 in southern part of Tanzania; He owns a private forest of about 500 hectares at Halla village in Babati District. He has managed to protect and conserve a forest and have individual development. Before, he lived a low life standard with insufficient income.

In 1985 he started planting trees which enabled him to preserve water sources. The water source has been used by Babati Water Supply (BAWASA) to distribute water to four villages such as Kashi and Galapo. The distributed water has enabled Mr Joachim and the four villages to practice garden activities, few of which are “sukuma wiki”, salad and cabbages gardens.

HALLA FOREST IN THE HANDS OF JOACHIM.

Mr. Joachim John Tambo was born 1937 in Gallapo village, Babati district, in Manyara region from Mbugwe tribe. He finished standard four basic education in Gallapo village then shifted to Halla village with his parents.
In Halla village he managed to conserve the forest area approximately 550 hectares sustainably and successfully through the tree planting programs he kept, hardworking and intrapersonal commitment in combating land degradations and deforestations.
Furthermore, the tree planted led to thick greenish forest which created more water channels, later they collect into one main stream which is vital and savior source of water to four adjacent villages. The villages include Gallapo, Kashi, Geidamala and Ngalogadida.

LACK OF TITLE DEED RETARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUAL ENTREPRENEURS IN BABATI DISTRICT

The denied access to title deed retards the economic development and environmental conservation of individual entrepreneurs since they can not access loan from the bank. The loan obtained would be used for agricultural activities like land preparation, buying seeds, pesticides and harvesting. The money can also be used for conservation of individual forests through planting more trees and security purpose.

Individual entrepreneurs complain a lot for the failure of the local government to process their title deeds in a timely manner. This is the case in Babati district specifically at Hala and Haraa villages.o not have title deeds for the land they own.

CHALLENGES IN COMBATING ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME AT HARRA VILLAGE, BABATI.

If at all you happen to enter the community based conserved forests, just 18 kilometers south of Babati town you will be amazed. There lies a 1000 hectare forest on a land which was bare, just ten years ago. Interestingly, the former existed indigenous Miombo type of trees has been restored.
Harra village environment committee chairperson, Anna Temba points out that the task of returning the damaged forest has never been simple. It needs a lot commitment to make it happen, keeping in mind forests are still a rare resource, competing with the growing population.

LIFE SAVERS!

Its God only who gives life but every human being has the chance to save life. Our visit to Babati district in Manyara region brought us face to face with individuals in the community who dedicated themselves to saving life.
The first example of a life saver is Mr. Joachim Tambo a private farmer who owns a private forest. He was born in 1937 in southern Tanzania. In 1985 he started tree planting in the degraded area of Halla village which is now the famous Halla forest. This forest has not only enabled to reduce soil erosion but has also increased the fertility of the land. Because of the increased soil fertility more crops can now grow well in and around Halla forest for subsistance and commercial use. In addition to that Halla village which used to receive little rains now due to the forest has abundant rains and water catchments areas.

PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND FOREST CONSERVATION

Participatory management system is the way of administering something by involving different groups of people and other stakeholders in a particular area.Forest conservation is the process of keeping and utilizing the forest and its products sustainably.

People in Ayasanda and Haraa villages at Babati district, in Manyara region are applying participatory management system to conserve their forests. Both leaders and the community members formulated by-laws to guide them, elected natural resource committee and the guards whose responsibilities are to ensure the forests are utilized according to the formulated by-laws.

PARTICIPATION OF WOMAN ON FOREST MANAGEMENT

Haraa is the one of the village that practices Participatory Forest Management, in this village both genders are responsible in evolving in activities pertaining to forest conservation and protection.
In the year 2001 the village council started the procedure of involving the community participation on sustainable forest management. It was the participatory forest management for the betterment of the community needs. Both genders are involved in the protection of village forest. Participatory Forest Management security is used as forest protection tool against forest invaders.

HOW DO PEOPLE OF SOUTHERN BABATI MANAGED TO PROTECT THEIR NATURAL FOREST?

Community living southern part of Babati they are very unique. They have succeeded in protecting their natural forest by themselves without external forces like central government, because they use community participatory method to conserve and protect their forest.

From the field visit made in two villages Haraa and Ayasanda they practice this method. Before these forests were under central government where it was very difficult to control the whole area of forest as results the forest was badly destroyed by the surrounding community, you will wonder why these people did destroy this natural forest. Because they never felt ownership of the forest.

AMAZING PRIVATE FOREST MANAGEMENT!

One person managing more than 500 hectares himself
Mr. Joackim John Tambo was born in 1937 from Halla village located in Babati district in Manyara region has managed to protect the forest. The Attracting forest has water sources serves the villages such as Galapo, Kashi, Golidadida and Gedamale.
He started to engage in horticulture but later he decided to protect the environment especially the forest in his area as he had seen the trees are in danger and it was in 1985.

At first the village forest was in a good situation whereby the local communities enjoyed the importance of forest such as water. Later those water sources dried up due to mismanagement of the forests. He came up with an idea to protect the trees and environment in general so to help his villagers and to dedicate his love towards the living planet to help his fellow villagers. He decided to plant trees such as grevillia also he got one lorry full of seedlings of gravellia from the District Forestry Officer.

WORLD WATER DAY 2011: A CHALLENGE TO TANZANIA

On 22nd March, 2011, Tanzania joined the rest of the world in marking, not celebrating, World Water Day. For Tanzania, this was its 23rd participation on World Water Day, being held nationwide in Mwanza Region with the theme “Water for Cities” (Maji kwa ajili ya miji kukabiliana na changamoto mbalimbali mijini).

Tanzania “marked” instead of celebrating the Water Day as it has not put much effort in ensuring availability of clean and safe water both for urban and rural areas in the country, although it recognizes lack of accessible to good quality water both in urban and rural areas as among of the six major problems for urgent attention.
Of the estimated 1.1 billion people, relying on unsafe drinking water sources worldwide, millions are in Tanzania, where clean water is becoming scarcer by the day. The situation is especially terrible in rural area, where women still walk long distance in search of water.

CONFLICT BETWEEN LOCAL COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT TOWARDS FOREST RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Meru forest reserve is allocated below Mount Meru in Arumeru district of Arusha region. It includes natural and planted tree species. The plantations are located closely to human settlements while natural forest extends to the mountain hill. The plantation area is managed by TANAPA in all areas of planting, conserving and harvesting of trees.

Presence of TANAPA in the area led to various strict methods of management as local people are not allowed to enter the forest and obtain anything for example; firewood, grasses, herbs or even vegetables. During the research conducted by COMECA we realized that majority of the local people have severely got punished and fined by TANAPA patrol team when founded in the forest whether having or without having any forest products.

THE POTENTIAL USE OF MKUYU (FICUS SPP) TREES IN CONSERVING WATER SOURCES

The Mkuyu (Ficus spp) tree is a typical water catchment plant species that the local community uses for locating well sites and is believed to maintain a perennial supply of water if left to grow near it. Mikuyu trees are left to grow in water catchment areas to maintain a constant source of water for springs and wells. These trees have taproots and widespread lateral roots that hold wet soil and maintain wetness of after rainfall (UNEP).