Forestry sector impresses as ministry earns 912.9bn/-

DODOMA: PROMOTION of ecotourism and protection of biodiversity efforts by Tanzania Forestry Services (TFS) has been mentioned as one the activities that were successfully implemented by the agency in the 2024/25 financial year.

This was attributed to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism collections reaching 912.9bn/- as of April, this year.

Tabling the docket’s spending plan for the next fiscal year, the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Dr Pindi Chana in Dodoma Monday, said the collection is 90.56 per cent of the target.

Ambassador Chana said that TFS made significant progress in conservation, forest protection, tourism promotion, reserve improvements, beekeeping product output and community services in the ending 2024/25 fiscal year.

The Minister added that TFS conducted 17,510 routine patrols and 405 intelligence-led patrols, which led to the arrest of 3,459 individuals involved in illegal forest harvesting. Confiscated items included 36,625 bags of charcoal, 40,621 pieces of timber (totalling 2,671 cubic metres) and 1,267 logs.

In combating wildfires, TFS cleared 2,023.2 kilometers of firebreaks and operated 10 watchtowers and 7 fire stations. A total of 35 firefighting units with 405 personnel and 15,632 villagers from 269 villages were trained in fire prevention.

She added that TFS successfully upgraded Rau Forest (Kilimanjaro) and Nou Forest (Manyara) to Natural Environmental Forest Reserves, covering a total of 30,396.7 hectares.

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Additionally, 43 other forests were officially declared as reserves, a move expected to boost tourism and environmental investment opportunities. In tree planting initiatives, 33.2 million seedlings were produced and planted across 8,020.2 hectares.

Another 1,794 hectares were replanted following tree loss. For mangrove conservation, 15,650 seedlings were planted in the districts of Lindi, Kilwa, Temeke, Mafia and Tanga.

In the beekeeping sector, TFS harvested 22.5 tonnes of honey and 0.9 tonnes of beeswax, valued at over 282m/-, from 222 apiaries and three specialised farms.

During the particular period, forest tourism infrastructure was enhanced by constructing 43.6 kilometres of new tourist trails and rehabilitating 339 kilometers of existing ones.

TFS also aired 287 video advertisements, 71 radio programmes and 85 television shows to promote domestic and international tourism, boosting the number of visitors from 211,764 last year to 275,723 by April 2025.

TFS distributed 10.7 million tree seedlings worth 3.9bn/- and provided 1,059 beehives to beekeepers. The Minister said new tree plantations covering a total of 28,000 hectares will be established in Geita and Rwamgasa areas.

Moreover, 27.5 tonnes of quality seeds and 35.2 million seedlings are ready for the new planting season. She added 223 kilometres of new roads will be constructed to facilitate tourism activities, five additional guest shelters will be built and a special beekeeping tourism centre will be established to attract both local and international tourists.

TFS continues to benefit from financial support from the French Development Agency (AFD), which has approved more than 122bn/- over five years to strengthen government tree plantations and manage mangrove reserves across the country.