TFS adopts modern technology to enhance forest protection

MOROGORO: THE Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) has stepped up the use of modern technologies, including satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), to strengthen forest patrols and monitoring nationwide.

The initiative has significantly improved the efficiency of forest protection while reducing operational costs.

Senior Conservator and Head of the Forest Monitoring and Control Unit at TFS, Rosemary Sabida, said in Morogoro over the weekend that the agency is leveraging advanced tools to enhance surveillance and ensure sustainable management of forest resources.

She made the remarks ahead of the opening of a training session officiated by the Assistant Director of Forest Development, Ms Seleboni Mushi, who represented the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Ms Sabida said the agency is implementing modern, strategic patrol systems that integrate drone and satellite technologies to improve professionalism and effectiveness in forest protection.

“The institution is committed to applying science and technology, including the use of drones for surveillance and intelligence gathering,” she said.

She added that the technologies enable coverage of large forest areas and support strategic patrols aimed at ensuring sustainable utilisation of forest resources.

Project Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Diomedes Kalisa, speaking on behalf of FAO Assistant Representative in Tanzania, Charles Tulahi, said the training is being conducted under the COOK FUN Project.

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He noted that the project is funded by the European Union (EU) and other partners, including FAO and focuses on strengthening policies, laws and regulations governing forest management in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and TFS.

Mr Kalisa said the training aims to build participants’ capacity to balance forest conservation with the adoption of clean cooking energy solutions without compromising the environment.

For his part, Mushi, who officially opened the training, emphasised that forests are a national heritage that must be protected for future generations.

He said the training covers key areas such as informant management, monitoring techniques, application of modern technology in forest protection, interpretation of forest laws and regulations, as well as investigation and law enforcement skills.