Govt, Development Partners Bridge Efforts To Spur Conservation, Citizens’ Involvement In Forest-Related Economic Activities In Tabora Region Of Tanzania
The Project Has Recently Handed Over A Total Of 324 Customary Land Ownership Certificates To Residents.
TANZANIA is stepping up efforts to improve the conservation sector by empowering citizens living around forest areas to use their land for economic activities and thus fuel the forest conservation drive.
The timely initiative forms part of broader efforts by the government to link forest conservation with improved livelihoods among local communities through the issuance of customary land ownership certificates.
As part of this useful environmental-economic initiative, a project called the “Nyandakame Miombo Forest Participatory Conservation” is being implemented in the Tabora Region, targeting residents of Ukumbisiganga Village in Kaliua District to reap the benefits of forest products while ensuring effective conservation.
The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is jointly implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), in partnership with various stakeholders, including the Vice President’s Office responsible for Environment.
To ensure that its beneficiaries are in a better position to venture into and benefit from forest-related economic activities, the project has recently handed over a total of 324 customary land ownership certificates to residents.
During a brief handover ceremony, the Assistant Director of Forests and Beekeeping in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Selebon John, congratulated the residents who received the certificates and urged them to take advantage of opportunities provided by the project to improve their livelihoods.
“This gives a clear picture of the way in which the Government is recognising your contribution towards improving forest conservation, as well as your contribution to the national economy through forest-related activities,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the TFS Conservation Commissioner, Professor Dos Santos Silayo, Deputy Conservation Commissioner Mr Salehe Beleko commended the residents, as well as the Tabora Regional and district authorities in Urambo and Kaliua, where the project is being implemented.
He observed that the project has so far made significant strides in promoting beekeeping, encouraging participatory land surveying, promoting the use of clean cooking energy, supporting livestock feed production, adding value to bee products and providing training on improved farming practices.
TFS Assistant Conservation Commissioner and Project Coordinator, Dr Zainabu Shaban Bungwa, led the Project Steering Committee on an inspection tour of activities being implemented in Kaliua District.
The delegation visited the Tabora Regional Commissioner’s Office, Kaliua District Council, the Miombo bee-products entrepreneurs’ group, the project’s tree-seed collection centre and Ukumbisiganga Village.
Other officials who took part in the tour included a representative from FAO, Acting Tabora Regional Administrative Secretary Yobu Kiungo, Dr Moses Katonge and representatives from Sikonge, Urambo and Kaliua district councils.