TFS Recruits New Rangers, Officers To Beef Up Conservation Of Forest Resources In Tanzania
The Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) is responsible for the effective conservation and promotion of more than 460 national forest reserves across the country, including 25 Nature Forest Reserves covering about 962,500 hectares.
Managing such vast forest resources, which make a significant contribution to Tanzania’s gross domestic product (GDP), calls for strong and effective conservation measures.
As part of efforts to strengthen professional conservation of these resources, TFS has recruited at least 328 new forest rangers and conservation officers.
Issuing strong advice to the newly recruited force, Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, warned them to stand firm against corruption, poaching, illegal harvesting of forest resources and other practices that threaten the country’s natural heritage.
The closing ceremony of the initial military training for the 328 newly recruited personnel was held at the Mlele Military Training Centre in Katavi Region.
“Make sure you uphold discipline, integrity and professionalism in protecting Tanzania’s natural resources, while ensuring that you remain within the limits prescribed by law,” she directed.
The Minister stated that the training was not intended merely to equip the recruits with the ability to wear uniforms and participate in military parades, but to prepare them to become disciplined, obedient, courageous, patriotic and team-oriented public servants capable of effectively carrying out their responsibilities.
“This training was not aimed at building the ability to wear uniforms and participate in parades, but to make you servants with discipline, obedience, courage, patriotism and the ability to work together,” Dr Kijaji said.
Moreover, she stressed the importance of respecting authority and observing the basic chain of command, directing the newly trained personnel to ensure that operational information is communicated through the appropriate channels.
In further directives, the Minister cautioned them against sharing sensitive operational information on social media, saying such information could compromise conservation operations and national interests.
She said any officer involved in such acts would be betraying the trust placed in them by the nation, as well as violating the oath they had taken in the course of serving the country.
On the use of force, Dr Kijaji urged the officers to apply the skills acquired during training in safe arrest techniques, situational control and the appropriate use of force.
She noted that force should only be applied in accordance with the law, established procedures, the circumstances of each incident and the level necessary to achieve a legitimate operational objective, while respecting and protecting the dignity of citizens.
Together with that, she called for stronger cooperation between the Conservation Force and surrounding communities, stressing that local people remain key stakeholders in the protection of forests and other natural resources.
She stressed the need for conservation education to be strengthened in communities living around protected and conservation areas, including introducing the Conservation Army song in primary schools surrounding such areas.
According to her, such initiatives would help raise awareness among children about the importance of forests and other natural resources and cultivate a conservation culture among future generations.
The Minister challenged the newly graduated personnel to translate the knowledge and skills acquired during their training into responsible service, reminding them that the country had entrusted them with the important responsibility of safeguarding its natural heritage.
“Go and serve Tanzania with one heart, go and protect our nation’s resources honestly, go and be an example of discipline, integrity and patriotism,” Dr Kijaji said.