TaFF supports TFS with 4.1bn/- for forest management
DODOMA: THE Tanzania Forest Fund (TaFF) has disbursed a total of 4.1bn/- to the Tanzania Forestry Services (TFS) over the past four years, significantly boosting efforts to strengthen forest and beekeeping sector development and monitoring across the country.
With support from the fund, TFS has implemented 296 projects nationwide aimed at improving forest management, conservation and sustainable resource use.
TFS Conservation Commissioner, Professor Dos Santos Silayo, revealed the achievements during a recent briefing in Dodoma, noting that part of the funding was used to procure 113 vehicles and 164 motorcycles, enhancing mobility and efficiency in forest patrol and monitoring.
“These funds have enabled TFS to stabilise forest monitoring and security systems through more effective patrol operations,” Prof Silayo said.
He added that TFS continues to implement various initiatives to support forest development, including large-scale tree planting campaigns.
During the period, TFS distributed 81.8 tonnes of tree seeds and planted 129,857,706 tree seedlings in 25 government-owned tree estates.
He said seedlings were provided to private institutions, individuals and nongovernmental organisations to encourage broader participation in reforestation and conservation efforts.
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Prof Silayo also noted the success of TFS’s beekeeping campaign “Achia Shoka, Kamata Mzinga” (Drop the Axe, Pick the Beehive), which has played a significant role in improving the sector’s performance and attracting greater involvement of women and youth.
“This strategy was developed to engage more women and young people in beekeeping, enabling them to benefit economically while contributing to conservation,” he said.
Looking ahead, TFS plans to upgrade the status of ten forest reserves, covering a combined total of 483,893.25 hectares.
The reserves earmarked for elevation include: Itulu Hills (403,625.62 ha), Pindiro (8,965.3 ha), PuzuKazimzumbwi (7,297.3 ha), Uzigua (27,654.58 ha), Essimingori (5,694 ha), Uvinza (17,971 ha), East Matogoro (3,533 ha), Hasama Hills (3,815.9 ha), Vikindu (1,668 ha) and Kimboza (384.85 ha).
He also noted that 29,444,980 tree seedlings were distributed to communities living near forest reserves as part of TFS’s ongoing strategy to involve local populations in conservation activities.
