1st VP blames environment degradation on regulatory loopholes
ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR First Vice President (1VP) Othman Masoud Othman has stated that existing gaps in regulations and the management of the environment have significantly contributed to deforestation and the sale of wood.
Mr Othman made these remarks after visiting Kongole Village and Bwejuu Village in the Unguja South District to inspect the level of environmental destruction, as part of the ongoing ‘Zanzibar Green Legacy’ campaign, which includes the planting of various types of trees.
“We need to review our forest management system and regulations, which allow people to enter reserved land and forests.
Some people take advantage of this to harvest trees recklessly and also destroy the environment,” he said.
The First Vice President, whose office is responsible for environmental matters, emphasized that the future of Zanzibar relies on people in both urban and rural areas to ensure the Islands remain green.
“All people should back the green legacy campaign for it to succeed.”
He also cautioned against cutting down trees and the sale of unsurveyed land, stating that all Zanzibaris must seek permission from the Ministry of Land and Housing Development before developing or even leasing land to investors.
Mr Othman said the government, through its local experts, is continuing to assess the best ways to implement the green legacy initiative to restore Zanzibar to its former greenery.
During his visit to the tree nursery at Kibele, where seedlings of forest and fruit trees are nurtured before distribution to farmers and citizens, he advised the Department of Forestry and Non-Renewable Natural Resources to intensify campaigns of promoting tree planting.
Unguja South District Commissioner Kassian Galosi Nyimbo noted that his office has been collaborating closely with various institutions and citizens to promote environmental conservation and combat degradation.
He informed that ongoing joint efforts have led to the successful arrest of several individuals suspected of involving themselves in forest destruction, including illegal tree cutting and charcoal production, and that some have already been brought to justice.
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Mr Mohammed Juma, a member of the Bwejuu Forest Reserve Committee, stated that environmental destruction in government reserve areas remains a significant challenge, despite collaborative efforts among various authorities to control the situation.
