Dr Chana calls for enhanced commitment to forest conservation

DAR ES SALAAM: MINISTER for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Dr Pindi Chana, has called on the Tanzania Forestry Service (TFS) to maximize the use of newly acquired vehicles and equipment to enhance patrols and ensure better forest management.

Speaking at the handover ceremony of the vehicles and equipment in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, Dr Chana emphasised that the resources should foster a stronger commitment to forest conservation by providing access to previously difficult-to-reach areas, thus improving overall forest protection efforts.

“The vehicles and equipment received along with those previously procured and distributed, are expected to improve beekeeping and contribute to conservation and national revenue,” said Dr Chana.

Dr Chana highlighted that managing forest resources in areas near villages presents a significant challenge, requiring the development of robust systems and the acquisition of tools to strengthen operations, including promoting tree farming in government plantations.

She said: “We are all witnesses to the President’s unwavering commitment to prioritising the forestry sector, particularly in efforts to reduce reliance on forest-based energy for cooking.”

Dr Chana further emphasised that as a nation, Tanzania is now prioritising clean cooking energy alternatives, such as electricity, gas and eco-friendly charcoal.

“This shift aims to mitigate deforestation caused by the demand for cooking fuel, especially since around 90 percent of households currently depend on firewood and charcoal,” she said.

She also pointed out that assessments show approximately 48.1 million hectares, or 55 percent of the country’s total land area, are covered by forest vegetation.

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Moreover, Dr Chana urged forest officers and rangers to intensify their efforts in forest management, which are critical to environmental conservation, sustaining ecosystems and ensuring the availability of diverse goods and services.

“These tools and vehicles should inspire greater commitment to forest management by enabling access to previously hard-to-reach areas,” added Dr Chana.

Dr Chana also urged TFS to seize emerging opportunities that are found in forests around the country to gain more revenues.

“Investments in carbon trading, infrastructure development for lodging, initiating new tourism activities in protected forests, plantations and mangroves will help to gain more revenues and promote the nation worldwide,” said Dr Chana.

On his part, TFS Chief Executive Officer, Professor Dos Santos Silayo said that TFS had collected 90.6bn/- by 31 December 2024, representing 51.5 per cent of the projected 175.9bn/- revenue for the 2024/2025 financial year.

“The target for this financial year, 2024/2025, is to collect 175.9bn/- and as of 31 December 2024, a total of 90.6bn/- equivalent to 51.5 per cent, had been collected,” Prof Silayo explained.

Speaking about the vehicles and types of equipment, Prof Silayo said, “for the 2024/2025 financial year, TFS has obtained approval to purchase 27 vehicles and two pieces of heavy machinery, which include three 18-tonne trucks, four 8-tonne trucks, 36 200CC motorcycles, one heavy-duty Double Cabin Pick-Up, one Toyota Hardtop VX, 15 Single Cabin Pick-Ups, one 70-90HP tractor, and one low-bed truck.”