COMMUNITY AND ITS TRADITION

Some where in Tanzania there is a community living in a particular area, the area is rich in natural resources such as forest and wildlife, the area was green with diverse of different plant species. This community who are local inhabitant(native) to this place they where utilizing this natural resources to meet their basic needs such as fire wood, building materials, fodder, medicine, fruits and etc.

Within this area there is forest which was reserved for spiritual matter as part of their tradition. The forest is managed by the local community guided with native law and custom and every one is abiding with this rules.

Due to the beauty scene of this area and weather one of investor was attracted and wants to take some part of this land .The investor follows all procedure and he was given part of this area. The investor starts to clear its land for preparation of Tea plantation.

During this process the investor commands workers to clear the other part which was not given by the government including the reserved forest. When they start to clear this land the community warns investor to leave aside reserved forest disdain and tell them I’m rich I can do anything.

Workers proceed with their activities and they managed to clear some part of forest. When they come for another day to finish remaining part they found that all tree where emerged. The investor was shocked with this situation but he did not give-up. Due to their understanding them though that if they clear all forest for one day no plant will emerge. They do so by using the advanced machine like bulldozer to clear the land. The next day they found that all tree where emerged as if there where nothing happen to that forest.

After all initiative and techniques to clearing fails the investor leave reserved forest as it is and the local community proceed to use this forest for the spiritual matter as usual.

Heri Jackson

herij26@gmail.com

MIKUMI IPO HATARINI

Tarafa ya mikumi inapoteza utajiri asilia ambapo binadamu amekuwa ni chanzo kikubwa cha kupelekea kupotea kwa utajiri huo. Katika maeneo mbalimbali ndani ya Tarafa ya mikumi kumebakiwa na nyasi kavu zisizo na uhai pamoja na vumbi ambavyo ni viashiria tosha vya maisha duni baadae.

Hivi sasa hali inatisha ukiangalia maeneo mbalimbali kuzunguka Tarafa hiyo. Katika maeneo hayo kumebakiwa nyasi kavu, maeneo ambayo yamechomwa moto pia miti michache inayoweza kuhesabika hata ukiwa umbali wa mita mia tatu (m.300) toka katika kila eneo la ekari ishirini. Shughuli mbalimbali zinazofanywa na binadamu imekuwa ni chanzo kikubwa cha kupoteza uoto huo. Hayo yalizungumzwa katika mkutano ulioendeshwa tarehe 12.09.2009 na asasi isiyo ya kiserikari ijulikanayo kama Greenbelt Schools Trust Fund (TSGF) kwa kudhaminiwa na WWF katika kata ya Mikumi.

Watu wamekuwa wakifanya shughuli zenye madhara katika mazingira ilikujipatia mahitaji yao ya kila siku. Shughuli hizo ni kama vile utengenezaji wa mkaa, ufugaji holela pamoja na kilimo cha kuhamahama. Hii inaonesha kwamba wenyeji hao hufanya shughuli ambayo itawaletea matunda haraka pasipo kufikiri hasara zinazojitokeza. Mjumbe mmoja wa kamati ya mazingira kutoka WWF Ndugu Angelus Runji amesema “Uwajibikaji mdogo wa wanajamii katika kuhifadhi mazingira ndio chanzo cha madhara mbalimbali kama vile umomonyoko wa udongo na ukame. Vilevile mwenekiti cha Mikumi Ndugu Idd Liko amesema” baadhi ya watu hujihusisha na uchimbaji wa udongo ilikutengeneza tofari, Pia hukata kuni kwajiri ya kuchomea tofari hizo”. Hali hii imedhihilika katika bonde la mto Ruhembe ambapo imepelekea udongo kupoteza rutuba.

Shughuli hizo zimepelekea kuwepo kwa uharibifu mkubwa wa misitu katika eneo la Mikumi na hatimae kuwepo kwa udongo usiofaa kwa kilimo pamoja na uhaba wa maji. Hali hii imeshuhudiwa na Katibu Mkuu wa Asasi moja isio ya kiserikali ijulikanayo kama Greenbelt Schools Trust Fund (GSTF) (Ndugu John Mengele) inayojishughulisha na mazingira amesema “Pia sababu nyingine inayopelekea uharibifu wa mazingira katika vyanzo vya maji ni kilimo holela cha umwagiliaji maji kinachoenda sambamba na ukataji wa miti kandokando ya mto Ruhembe”. Ameendelea kusema kwamba hapo awali mto huu ulikuwa ukijulikana kama Bustani ya asili ambapo ndizi zilijiotea zenyewe kando kando ya mto lakini hivi sasa eneo limekuwa kame.

Huu ni wakati muafaka kwa wanakijiji katika Tarafa ya Mikumi kuchukua hatua madhubuti kuzuia madhara ya uharibifu wa mazingira yanayojitokeza. Hatua hizo ni kama kupanda miti ya matunda, mbao na nguzo. Jitahada hizi zitapelekea kuinua kipato cha wanajamii kwa kuuza matunda, mbao pamoja na nguzo. Pia kutatua tatizo la uhaba wa maji.

Greenbelt Schools Trust Fund (GSTF), imeanzisha mradi wa upandaji miti hasa miti ya matunda kama vile miembe. Asasi hii imelenga kuhakikisha kwamba ifikapo mwaka 2012, kila familia imiliki miti hamsini (50) ya aina tofauti.hatua za mwanzo za kutekeleza mradi huo zimeonekana katika mkutano huo ambapo wanakamati waliridhia mradi huo na kupewa mbegu pamoja na miche ya miti wakapande. Jitihada hizi ziliungwa mkono na katibu tarafa wa Mikumi Ndugu Benjamin Mang’ara

Amesema “hiki kilichotokea leo sijawahi kukiona tangu nishike wadhifa huu katika tarafa hii, nidhahili kwamba jitihada hizi zitaboresha maisha ya watu na shughuli zao katika katika ngazi ya kata hata tarafa yetu ya Mikumi. Serikari pia imeona haja ya kuanzisha mpango wa muda mrefu wa upandaji miti ambapo kila familia inapaswa kupanda miti Kumi (10).” ameendelea kusema kwamba jamii ibadili tabia ili kuwepo matumizi endelevu ya rasilimali zetu na hatimaye kupunguza umasikini uliopo.

Hii ni dhahili kwamba hakuna kinachoweza/kitakachoweza kufanyika endapo jamii zetu hazitazingatia matumizi endelevu ya rasilimali tulizonazo.

Angelus Runji
runjifred@yahoo.com

LIFE IS A JOURNEY

Birth is a beginning
and death a destination
And life is a journey:

From childhood to maturity
and youth to age;

From innocence to awareness
and ignorance to knowing;

From foolishness to desecration
and then perhaps to wisdom.

From weakness to strength or
from strength to weakness
and often back again;

From health to sickness
and we pray to health again.

From offense to forgiveness
from loneliness to love

from joy to gratitude
from pain to compassion

from grief to understanding
from fear to faith.

From defeat to defeat to defeat
until looking backwards or ahead

We see that victory lies not
at some high point along the way

but in having made the journey
step by step
a sacred pilgrimage.

Birth is a beginning
and death a destination

And life is a journey;

A sacred journey to life everlasting.

REST IN PEACE. GODFREY TWEVE

MAASAI TRIBE AND OLDONYO LENGAI

Once upon the time, there is a mountain called Oldonyo Lengai, it is a good mountain Maasai people usually visit and worship there, the mountain was very good, very kind and very friendly to Maasai community even to women who have no ability to conceive

They will have babies if they go to worship there, but as times goes the mountain changed its kindness due to the disobedient of the community by breaking out the regulation or rules which were given to them by God like they use to sacrifice holly animals which to them refer as black goats and sheep and the one who are allowing to visit the place must be holly, also it was responsibility to Maasai tribe to protect the mountain and its environment. Due to this disobedient Maasai tribe started suffering because the special God who live in Oldonyo Lengai was angry and does not hear their voices anymore, from that time to now, maasai tribe believe that they are the one who made God who living in Oldonyo Lengai to release volcanic emission as they believe that God of mountain punished the community through hot volcanic emission in way that it explore, burn and killing livestock and people.

Nginyi kimaai

nginyikariongi@gmail.com

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

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION; THE WEAPON FOR ANTI- POACHING.

Many Literature suggest that, top – down approach have resulted into failure of different wildlife projects, which is the approach that is adopted from the early decade where indigenous were alienated from the resources which are believed to have been supporting their livelihood in a sustainable manner such that patrols were not necessary (Lewis & Carter, 1993)

Human population growth resulted into increase in demands for sustaining man which resulted into increase in human wildlife conflicts as resulted from human social services demand, food, medicine, norms & cultural and land for cultivation and residence.

Due to increase human wildlife conflicts law enforcement have become less practical and cost full and still wildlife populations are subjected to extinction e.g. the black rhino.
For instance long before the creation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the people of the western Serengeti had established settlements and interacted with the environment in ways that created a landscape we now misconstrue as natural. Western Serengeti peoples imagine the environment not as a pristine wilderness, but as a differentiated social landscape that embodies their history and identity. Conservationist literature has ignored these now-displaced peoples and relegated them to the margins of modern society. Their oral traditions, however, provide the means for seeing the landscape from a new perspective. Moreover, this thought strengthens the case for involving local communities in conservation efforts that will preserve African environments for the future.
It is true that law enforcement have failed in resolving different human – wildlife conflicts including poaching. The use of participation of the local communities in conservation is suggested as a supplement to the short comings of ant – poaching operations. Stakeholder participation was proposed to mitigate threats facing conservation of natural resources but is also believed to have proved failure

To Date, Different community conservation projects were established in different adjacent protected areas including Tarangire National Park and others at the Arusha Anti – poaching Unit areas of operations. However, poaching is believed to have increased compared to before the establishment of Community Conservation projects. A lot of funds are directed to ant – poaching operations and community conservation but still poaching is increasing tremendously. Little is written about the ant – poaching operations and community conservation in relation to their effects in reducing poaching activities and the efforts so far made to reduce these activities comparing to the success achieved.

Wildlife Management Areas (W.M.As) are there to share knowledge with local communities over the importance of a certain resources like wildlife but the way is taken carries a certain elements of Top Down approach. For instance the eviction of local communities at Ngorongoro Conservation Area of Authority, It is true that the area is facing ecological threats caused by human being, but people causing such threats are immigrants who have little knowledge about the area. Eviction will cause hardship to their life and force them to engage in poaching which seem to increase day after day. The only solution is to sit down wherever they are evicted or not share what they have in order to only create the HEART of OWNERSHIP in a new area and WILLINGNESS.

Not only Ngorongoro but most of W.M.As established in Tanzania have proved failure due to ineffective participation of local communities living adjacent to the areas. The way is established makes people feel as new thing which want to make their life harder. This creates a sense of conflicts among them with Wildlife authorities. Effective participation of local means involve them from planning up to implementation will harness the fruits of our W.M.As for the protection of our Wildlife


Elihoise Malisa
hoylus3@yahoo.com

HUMANITY VERSUS DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS CLIMATE CHANGE

Leaders of the world's biggest and dirtiest economies have agreed for the first time to limit the warming of the earth to a relatively safe 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) an important target in fighting climate change.
It sounds simple, but it implies a dramatic shift in the way we generate electricity, fuel our cars and build our homes and skyscrapers. It means diverting investments in new power stations from fossil fuels to wind, solar and other renewable which is a politically tricky task in the United States.
It also means wealthy countries need to raise tens of billions of dollars a year to help poor countries develop in cleaner ways than the industrial world did over the last 150 years. "It is in the tropics where the bulk of humanity lives - many of them in poverty - that climate change is hitting now and hitting hardest," suffering the Science, Climate Change, and Poverty.
Many of us take for granted that as long as we have money we can still buy food. However, the reality is much more complicated. If we were to look at the time and energy involved in producing our bowl of breakfast cereal, or worse still a chicken soup, then we’d be shocked not only by the complexity of the global food production system, but also the fragility of it.
Growing and selling food depends on a huge number of people, inputs and processes, from producers and buyers, through to infrastructure for transport, distributors and retailers. However, if you were to select the most important factors that the rest of the system depends on, they would be good land and a favourable climate. The latter is now under threat.
With an increasing world population, and rising demand for meat and dairy products (which are much more wasteful in land and other input requirements) producing enough food is already a challenge.
And to top it off we also have to deal with a rapidly changing climate. There are currently 1 billion hungry people in the world and the number is rising. The plight of these, and the millions of others who are already being hit hard by climate change, is highlighted in a new report published by Oxfam today.
But the truth is that the single most important investment society must make - right now - is to ensure a firm stance on curbing emissions. Whether it takes a million, a billion dollars, or more.
Therefore it is still a big question that will the G8 shift their pollutant industrial policies or else?



Tomas Chali
tomaschali@yahoo.com

TOWARDS ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Let me take you back to see the major causes of unsustainable natural resources utilization and environmental degradation as a whole. In this context, since then, both development and poverty have been contributing to environmental degradation.

With development, people think of economic development only without looking back the cost and externalities that natural resources and environment encounters, such that at the end of the day we attain economic development living in the world of depleted natural resources and environment that threatens life on the globe. So, what is the use of this development if it ruins humankind?

With poverty, man is proving to be man’s own enemy by destroying nature and polluting the surrounding where he lives. The whole of this is done in the course of looking for livelihood sources. People cut down trees for polls, firewood, charcoal making for sale, and expansion of farms e.t.c. With poverty, people think of no alternative to meet their household requirements except from natural resources.

With environmental education, our people should be trained on how to interact sustainably with their environment, moreover there is a need to train our people on alternative ways of getting household earnings. The local communities should be guided to form small groups where different economic strategies can be easily imparted to free these people from natural resource dependency.

In groups people can be trained on how to use modern beehives that yield enough honey for business, also people should be imparted with new skills of collecting honey instead of using fires that kill the bees and worse still turns large forests to deserts.
For the livestock keepers, they can be trained and enforced to reduce their large herds of cattle and start to keep cattle depending on the carrying capacity of the area. With better handling of our livestock, we can increase both quality and quantity of beef and milk yields. This will make us increase our incomes and become less dependent to natural resources.

In groups, people can be trained to form Village Community Banks/Community Conservation Banks i. e VICOBA/COCOBA respectively. With such group savings group members are eligible to access small loans with simpler conditionals for every community to meet that will enable them to initiate small income generation activities.

With all these, it is the role of the GOs and NGOs to provide adequate knowledge to the Village environmental committees on laws and policies that govern natural resources and environment. Such communities when empowered can amicably conserve the environment.

Last but not least all together should restore back the sense of ownership of natural resource to the local communities that, they should feel that the NR in their vicinities belongs to them, thus everyone has to be a faithful custodian of it.
I know that it is difficult to attain the standards we desire, we will not succeed in one day or in one year, but what I can assure you today is that together we can make this happen.
So ladies and gentlemen, let’s opt for these bitter choices for the betterment for promising undiminished future of mankind.

Tomas Chali
tomaschali@yahoo.com

THE UNLEASHED REGIME OF THE MINING SECTOR IN TANZANIA.

The recent geological survey by Ministry of Energy and Minerals shows that Tanzania has huge reserves in eleven key minerals which include Gold, Nickel, Tanzanite, Diamonds, Copper, Iron ore, Coal ,Limestone, Soda ash, Gypsum and Phosphate. Only Gold, Diamonds and Tanzanite are being fully mined by multinational companies and shipped abroad, at the end of the day, the companies acquire 97% leaving only 3% of the profit as royalty to Tanzanians who are original owners.
Apart from leaving the inhabitants with nothing, the mining companies have become deleterious to threaten human life in Tanzania. Recently there has been devastating reported deaths and skin injuries of our fellow compatriots with their cattle and flocks leaving near North Mara Gold mines owned by Barric Tanzania. This was a result of poisonous water from the mining plant being channeled to river Tigithe. It was fortunate to me that when I heard of this havoc my friend who works in that mining plant was beside me, he was on his 28days holiday after 56working days in the plant. Therefore, It was a high time for me to know in detail on how the mining regime operates and mineral processing it performed in general, under friendship bases I was sure that he could tell me to the bottom the truth. He said that, plant workers are not allowed to get into the mines with their cell phones especially those with cameras, thus he is always offline during his 56 workdays in the mines. He went on saying that, the poison that killed people was cynide, then I surprisingly asked him, why such a poisonous and deadly element to human vicinity?I remembered ten years ago the “story of cyanide element” my chemistry teacher told us in class, that until then none knew the test of cyanide. It’s discoverer died of the poison when testing just before writing how it tests.
The friend said that, despite its deadly poisonous effect, cyanide is the best and world-class reagent used in purification of alluvial gold. It extracts about 80% of pure Gold from its alluvial ores. Then, I was eager to know about the dumping and handling of the remains after purification because I know that the residues still contain cyanide. He said that, the residues are dumped in special tile tanks excavated within the plant surrounding. He said confidently that, cyanide leakages from these tanks could be the source of poison within river Tigithe.Being familiar to the area he resumed that, the river is the source of domestic water for nearby killed and injured inhabitants with their cattle and flocks.
I am not very sure whether everyone is aware that such cattle and flocks are a source of beef to the people living in towns and cities’ including Dar-es-Salaam.Apart from that water from this river is an integral of drainage system of that area. It is connected to other rivers and Lake Victoria by either underground or upper ground flow water systems, this makes me think of the aquatic biota and its wide spread human uses.
It was unfortunate that before concluding our conversation a friend had to leave to respond an emergency call that compelled him to be somewhere he did not tell me.At this time I had many questions in my mind with none to respond to them; what does the government say? Where will this poisonous residual be taken after closure of the plant? How safe is the beef and fish we eat from such areas, is the problem local or countrywide? Of what value are these blood minerals if it makes us suffer and die?

Tomas Chali
tomaschali@yahoo.com

ENVIRONMENTAL FRONTIER

Tanzania being among the country which inaugurate the environmental day this year has come with the world message, Planet needs you- Unite to Combat Climate change.

Before the day the minister concern the environment from the vice president office Hon. Dr. Batilda S Burian invites the journalist for the press conference where she tells the stand of the government and what will be done on the day.

During the press Hon. Dr Burian starts by giving the original of the environmental day where it begun on 1972 in the inauguration meeting of the environment which was held in Stockholm, Sweden.

Tanzania has decided to go with the message to Tabora for the reason that it is among the destructed area since the indicator of the deforestation.

According to Hon. Dr Burian who presents the government that in fighting the climate change the government has given education to the citizen so as to increase the understanding on environmental conservation in implementing the program.

The vice president office is said to prepare the national program on public education with this the office is participating on environmental celebrations international and national wise.

The government through the vice president office is cooperating with the non governmental organization and the civil society organization to encourage the use of charcoal as an alternative source of energy.

Mbeya is mentioned to be among the successful area since the mineral is found for the areas like Prisons, hospitals and schools are the areas using charcoal in cooking.

Again Hon. Dr Burian says the vice president office is giving education on the climate change though various occasions, media features and different environmental occasions which occur in this world.
It is true the time the message given is right but still asked are they talking to please the people or events or they are meaning it.
Each year on first January is where people are planting trees to make mitigate the problem of climate change still we don’t see forest even those trees growing.

It can be very difficult but what we ask is that what is important and easy to make people know the politics and vote for people to eat or educate people and make the sustainable environment for our grand children.

The environmental management act of 2004 in preliminary no 2 invoke that people may formulate associations but still most of them need the power of the government since political leaders and governmental officials are the people involved in environmental degradation.


Kalisto Mfuse
kalistomfuse@yahoo.com

TREE IS A WONDERFUL RESOURCE

Trees in a large number can be termed as forest. The forest covers about one third of the total land. The trees can be natural or artificial. This resource is very wonderful as it provides multiple benefits to human and Environment as general.
Trees are widely appreciated for the bountiful products they produce and the beauty they contribute to our environment. Trees also provide many conservation benefits. Forest/Trees are important in Tanzania due to numerous goods and services they offer both to the National Economy and to the society. In both rural and urban areas, wood based energy consumption is estimated to account for about 92% of total energy consumed in the country. (MNRT 1998).The estimated contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1998 was 3.3% including hunting.
Out of the total energy used in Tanzania about 90% is generated from wood. Tanzania Traditional Energy and Environment Development Organization (TaTEDO) recently revealed that about 65 million m3 of wood for fuel are consumed annually. The amount of wood fuel consumed will continue to increase with the increasing population. This is causing serious over-exploitation and degradation of natural forests.
Trees are wonderful resources as roots grip and hold the topsoil, slowing runoff and leads to soil control, trees can reduce the speed water movement and reducing erosion and water pollution. Hence creates the beautiful landscape we have today, if there could be no trees the landscape could be skeleton as all soil could be taken by erosion agents. Now were using the top soil for several important uses.

Leafy tree canopies conserve moisture, slow the wind, keep the air clean, help quiet loud traffic noises, and provide shade from the hot summer sun.

Trees also create welcome home for birds and wildlife as they act as wild animal habitants and lead to the creation of several parks.

Trees and other green plants are the energy basis for all animal life to grow and function. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants convert light (solar energy) from the sun into chemical energy that is stored in the plant as carbohydrates (sugars) as it grows.

Trees produce several products like, timber which can be used for making furniture. Also trees produces building materials like poles, thatch, fencing sticks.

From forest also we get important fruits with important nutrition for our body the fruits for food and flowers for decorating our areas all this we can get from trees.

Trees regulates climate and leads to rainfall attraction as trees adds humid to the atmosphere and leads to formation of clouds, now through forest we can get rainfall for growing our crops and getting water for our uses.

From trees we also get medicinal values from roots and leaves, where these medicines can be used for treating several diseases.

Pastures are obtained for animals, gums can be collected from trees, bee wax and honey and fibbers can be collected from trees.


Trees has social significance where it creates Sites for traditional worship/believes and ceremonials, athletics beautifulness where picnic and tourism are taking place, also these are good sites for leisure.
Forest can be for commercial significance as produces timber which can be traded and we can get money, also forest may beautify landscape which will attract tourism and different species can be traded world wide.

Forest ecologically is important in the protection of water resources as it protects water catchments area not to dry up during dry season and we also get several species of animals and plants.

Trees acts as carbon sink because reduces carbon dioxide and releases oxygen; hence we can continue living as we depend getting oxygen from trees and we give up carbon dioxide which is being taken by trees, so this proves that no trees no life.

Trees must be replanted as they are used severely due to its important to almost each sector, now the great care and much effort must be applied so as to save the available trees while planting the new so as to win this war of welcoming the desert. The Problems of forest reduction is increasing daily due to population expansion and forest are cut down for settlement expansion and farm expansion also for getting building materials.

Fire problems which can be natural fire or man made fire must also be controlled as once there is an outbreak of these fire leads to disappearance of million of tree species. Therefore more care must be on avoiding the causal of the wild fire unless it caused by natural.

Tanzania is endowed with large areas of forest resources, which could contribute to the national economy if well taped. What is important is to use this resource in a sustainable manner, when using today put in mind that tomorrow is coming. Forest resource is renewable but if not used sustainably it will change into non renewable resource.

Due to its important forest resource is a crucial resource as it provides several vital needs to our life so we must join efforts to conserve this resource. The forest participatory management approach must be encouraged as the indigenous people are more familiar with their forest than any other.

Joyneth Mbogo
joymbogo@yahoo.com

A GREAT NEED; ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

Information-processing has become increasingly visible and important in economic, social, and political life. One familiar piece of evidence is the statistical growth of occupations, media, institution and organizations specializing in information activities, with advanced tools for accessing the information.
So for this reason the community is deeply eager to access the information easily since the system of accessing information is globally simplified and they are aware of that e.g. the growing application of optic fibers. But some leaders still think that most of community members are uneducated hence they can’t need to access on environment information! I am alerting that the growth of Civil Society Organizations is much active on this and there is a great change to occur because most development goals are set for the human and his/her environment.
Being sincerely on this, there are still some barriers to environmental information thus result to unfair use of natural resources, poor accountability and a secrecy-poor running of Natural Resource Management. Especially by leadership and some Acts of the parliament e.g. Newspaper Act No. 3 of 1976 about having and spreading information made “secret” by the Government or some Authority. And at the same time the constitution of Tanzania promotes right to find, receive and to give information without any restriction.
Let there be transparency, togetherness for a vision of mass development in a safe sphere. Since we all need to protect, get to know anything about environment and still benefit it sustainably.

David Sylveste,
jichokwavijana@gmail.com

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OUR REPRESENTATIVES

There have been many meetings, conferences, workshops and mass gathering focusing growth and reduction of poverty in Tanzania, through different strategies, commitment and resources from domestic stakeholders and development partners in the medium term. But the issue of required or expected to justify actions or decisions (accountability) is still something to work on before even those gathering or meetings, because people are poor but pretend to be fine, when we talk about Tanzania is among the poorest countries globally people agree but the one who refuses is the one who has either seen how rich the country is. Ranked as the 5th top tourism income earner in Africa with annual receipts of US$739 million (World Tourism Organization, 2001) but then with no distribution of this information to local level even to the representatives who attend the meetings its like nothing going on in Tanzania’s Development! That’s why they end up in accepting everything talked … I totally disagree about Tanzania been poor but it’s the Tanzanian’s representatives being poor on Management and Accountability in the strategies for growth and reduction of poverty that are claimed.
Taking an idea of some representatives whom we choose to own authority for a period of time, and help the community in developmental issues, sleeping in the parliament! meetings, conferences Its totally enough to show poor accountability…dear reader if you need to prove this just go or watch carefully the parliament in your nearest broadcasting TV or attend meetings and see for your self, people are tired in the morning sleeping, while they gain a lot of money just for making them strong, brainstorm and ready to represent us. I have broken the silence and my heart is open and my eyes are ready to see the change … Having Tanzanite, Kilimanjaro, Lake Victoria, Serengeti, Lake Tanganyika, Bagamoyo and green land that is represented by our flag who mean we are poor? Not yet poor its just management and accountability

David Sylvester,
jichokwavijana@gmail.com

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY NOT EQUIPPED TO MANAGE WILDLIFE

Management and conservation of wildlife under local governments (district level) is questionable due to lack of gears to manage them in the authority they follow.
According to Tanzanian Wildlife Conservation Act, there are four agencies that are entrusted to manage wildlife in the country. These are Wildlife division that manage wildlife in Game Reserves, Tanzania National Park managing wildlife in National parks, Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority that manage wildlife in Ngorongoro Conservation Area as well as Local Government Authorities that manages wildlife in Open Areas as well as in Game Controlled Areas.
The above three agencies are well equipped in term of human resources, vehicles as well as weapons to protect and manage the wildlife. This is not the case once it comes to local government authority whereby it is a tradition to find district with wildlife to manage but without enough human resources and other protective gears to be used to management purposes.
A good example is in Mkinga District in Tanga region whereby like other district in the country Mkinga manages Umba Game Controlled Area, the game area bordering Kenya. The district has two game officers who have been recently employed to exercise their duties. They are actually working in easier said than done environment as they do not have any game scouts nor any weapon or vehicles to manage wildlife they are entitled to.
This has resulted in number of human wildlife conflicts between the communities living adjacent to the Umba Game Controlled area and animals especially elephants. Elephants once invade the farms they usually raid crops to large extent as no one is chasing them away. The wildlife officers try in their level best to chase them but since they do not have any weapon nor game scouts their effort is always unfruitful.
As we are now in the hunting term, many hunters are now operating in Umba Game Controlled Area, but with no one to escort them. It has been a traditional in this Game Controlled Area where hunters hunt beyond their hunting quotas, hunting without following the principle of sustainable hunting as well as using weapon not recommended so as to easy hunt and catch the animals they want just because no one is there watching what they are doing. I think it won’t be wrong if at all we refer it as a legally poaching activity? It is a legally poaching because the way how is being conducted signifies it legality and its illegality at the same time.
As the new Wildlife Act number 5 of 2009 is in its implementation process, I argue to the government to find a way of incorporating this problem facing wildlife under local government authority so that they can be protected as those in other wildlife management agencies. Let the governments equip the local government authority in term of human resources as well as other resources including vehicles and weapons to better manage the wildlife they are supposed to manage for the national interest and not otherwise.

william nambiza,
nambizaw@yahoo.com

CONTRIBUTION OF IMPROVED CHARCOAL STOVE PRODUCERS IN SUSTAINABLE UTILIZATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

INTRODUCTION
Environment is a very important part of human life
Concerning the surrounding including living and non living organisims. The social- economic part of human being depends on environment, for example industries, business, agriculture etc

The environment in a good shape contributes in accomplishing the developmental activities. Also basic human needs like food, clothing and shelter come from the environment, for example raw materials used in making different kind of clothes, the food we eat and the materials used for building house such as timber and thatched grasses for roofs.

EFFORTS IN PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT
Protecting the environment is not something which can be done by one person and that’s why Nations, Governments, institutions and even NGOs’ have been cooperating with great determination in protecting the environment.

Tanzania is one of the Sub-Sahara coutries leading environmental preservation efforts. In fulfilling this effort it has been penning down different contracts in order to get aid from different countries and ratifying International Convetions on Environmental Management such as United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change, Ramsar Convention and many other of environmental concern.

TaTEDO is among these NGOs’, which apart from conserving the environment; this Institution has also involved itself in achieving the modern sustainable energy initiatives together with reducing poverty especially in urban and rural areas. TaTEDO has been working closely with local communities in their areas in ensuring that they access modern energy technologies in improving their lives.

The use of traditional sources of energy within the city of Dar es salaam has been rising daily for many years now. This is due huge number of people using charcoal for cooking. Over 80 percent of the population in Dar es salaam use charcoal and firewood as a major fuel for cooking, this is due to increase in cost for alternative sources of energy like gas and electricity causing many Tanzanian resulting to most of them using biofuels eg charcoal and firewood.

As the population increases so is the use of fuel due to increase in demand. Almost 90 percent of charcoal used in Dar es Salaam is produced from forests within villages, districts and regions surrounding the city of Dar es salaam such as Lindi, Mtwara and Pwani.

Pugu forest is a good example of one such forest located in Kisarawe district, it is in danger of extinction because of excessive deforestation activities and burning of charcoal caused by increased demand of charcoal within Dar es salaam city.This Government owned forest has been invaded by people from different Regions with the purpose of burning the charcoal and cutting down trees with no consideration that the forast is supposed to be preserved.

Due to this problem the Institution for developing sustainable energy and conserving the environment (TaTEDO) in collaboration with two specialists from department of statistics, did a research on artisans who make improved stoves in Dar es Salaam.

The main aim of this research was to assess the number of artsans/improved stove producers, also to know their environment and the size of their projects.
This empowerment involves education on how to make these cookers by using modern and sustainable technology which does not have effect to our environment.

QUALITY/EFFICIENT CHARCOAL STOVE
This cooker as it is known to many as quality/efficient charcoal stove was given the name because of its nature of using minimal amount of charcoal, is made by using modern and sustainable technology. It is more liked because of its efficiency incookin while conserving heat energy than traditional aluminium made charcoal stoves. It uses small amount of charcoal hence reduces cost, its raw materials are locally availabe and the cooker is durable because is made using modern technology.


Good example is a cooker called ‘Sazawa’ made by Institution for developing sustainable energy and conserving the environment (TaTEDO). This cooker is made by corrugated iron sheet, iron and two bars made by clay and together with a mixture of cement and dust of remains of paddy.

The stove is proved to be more than 70% effficient than the normal traditional charcoal stove hence reduce difforestation and emission of carbon to air.

TaTEDO has also been making efficient firewood cookers which uses less firewood in cooking large amount of food quicker, hence serves the environment from large damage.

CRAFTSMEN OF QUALITY COOKERS’ IN DAR ES SALAAM
The research done by TaTEDO through its depertment of Sustainable Bio-energy in Dar es salaam city April of 2009 at Temeke, Kinondoni and Ilala Districts, showed that, the field of improved stove has been growing fast in recent years. This has been proven by small industries, groups and individuals involved in making improved cooking stoves and sell them to earn some cash.


Big industries like Kasana-Temeke and Vingunguti-Kinondoni which have been runing for years did show an increase in production because of market growth.
This production has increase by a big percent and they have been selling their cookers in Dar es salaam, upcountry and even export to neighbouring countries like Mozambique.

Despite massive production of the cookers, still the
Users have been few because of failure to buy them due to high price which ranges between Tsh. 1800 - 2500 for which an average Tanzanian living under $ 1 a day can not afford to buy.

CONCLUSION AND ADVICE
Difficult economic situation is the major source leading to environmental degradation in
our country and other developing countries where by demand for energy is inevitable.

The artisans have been working in difficult situation leading to their work being hard, production being low causing poor availability of their goods.


Every Tanzanian using charcoal as fuel , will greatly reduce the use of charcoal and hence reduce the effects of charcoal production to our forests while serving the income of Tanzanian if they have access to the improved charcoal stove. For example a family which uses one sac of charcoal for two weeks (i.e 14 days) for cooking in a traditioal corrugated iron cookers may use the same sac for one month (i.e 30 days) andin so doing they would have saved the use of charcoal and even the cost saved out of this use would have been used to improve the quality of Tanzanians most of whom are poor.


Inorder to serve our environment from production of charcoal, the Goverment, Institutions, NGOs’ should educate people on better ways of burning charcoal inorder to preserve our enviroment .
This empowerment may be :
• Educational; which may enable the use of modern and cheap technology.
• Financially; which may enable expansion of their projects to increase production and hence simplify the availability of their goods.
• Provide special areas for their wok and hence reduce their migration from one place to another which in turn will increase efficiency.
• Business; many craftsmen do not have enough knowledge about business. Its better different institutions help in providing business education so that they can run profitable business.

Many craftsmen who makes quality cookers, if valued and given priority they will for sure contribute greatly in preserving our environment.

The Environment is life, hence it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect and utilize it sustainably.

victoria maeda,
posh_vk@yahoo.com