1st VP decries deforestation, environmental degradation in Zanzibar
ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR First Vice-President of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Othman Masoud Othman, has highlighted significant gaps in environmental regulations and management that have contributed to deforestation and the illegal sale of timber.
Mr Othman made these comments after visiting Kongole and Bwejuu villages in the Unguja South District to assess the extent of environmental destruction and to promote the ongoing “Zanzibar Green Legacy” campaign, which aims to plant various types of trees.
“We need to review our forest management system and regulations that allow people to access reserved lands and forests. Some take advantage of this to harvest trees recklessly, further harming the environment,” he stated.
As the office responsible for environmental matters, Mr Othman emphasized that the future of Zanzibar depends on both urban and rural residents working together to keep the islands green.
“Everyone should support the Green Legacy campaign for it to succeed,” he urged.
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He cautioned against the indiscriminate cutting of trees and the selling of unsurveyed land, reminding Zanzibaris that they must obtain permission from the Ministry of Land and Housing Development before undertaking any development or leasing land to investors.
Mr Othman noted that the government is currently assessing the best ways to implement the Green Legacy initiative to restore Zanzibar to its former lush state.
He also visited a tree nursery in Kibele, where seedlings of various forest trees and fruit plants are nurtured before being distributed to farmers and the community.
He advised the Department of Forestry and Non-Renewable Natural Resources to increase awareness campaigns promoting tree planting.
The District Commissioner of Unguja South District, Mr Kassian Galosi Nyimbo, said that his office is collaborating with various institutions and citizens to promote environmental conservation and combat degradation.
He noted that these joint efforts have led to the successful arrest of individuals involved in deforestation, including those responsible for illegal tree cutting and charcoal production, some of whom are already facing legal action.
Mr Mohammed Juma, a member of the Bwejuu Forest Reserve Committee, expressed concerns that environmental destruction in government reserve areas remains a significant challenge, despite collaborative efforts among various authorities to control the situation.
