Govt sets roadmap for biodiversity conservation

DAR ES SALAAM: THE government, in collaboration with stakeholders, is strengthening biodiversity conservation through improved technical capacity, research and a robust legal and governance framework to ensure sustainable use of resources for present and future generations.

The Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Mr Hamad Yussuf Masauni, said this while presenting a report to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water and Environment on the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, on Tuesday.

Mr Masauni said the strategy will be implemented by a broad range of stakeholders, including sectoral ministries, government and non-government institutions, private companies, development partners and community groups.

“This strategy is implemented by integrating biodiversity issues into sectoral plans, including developing specific conservation programmes and implementing projects across sectors,” he said.

He noted that the strategy complements other key environmental initiatives, including the National Environmental Management Master Plan (2022–2032) and the Blue Economy Policy and Strategy (2024).

“The outcomes of this strategy will raise environmental conservation to 25 per cent, bringing total conservation coverage to 65 per cent by 2030,” he said.

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He added that this will contribute to the third pillar of Vision 2050, which aims to position Tanzania among the top ten countries in Africa in environmental conservation by 2050.

The National Biodiversity Strategy (2025–2030) was developed through a participatory process involving sectoral ministries, government and non-government institutions, as well as community groups.

The strategy and its action plan provide a national framework outlining priorities and measures for conserving and sustainably utilising biodiversity resources.

Meanwhile, the Committee Chairperson, Mr Jackson Kiswaga, said given the cross-cutting nature of environmental issues, the Vice President’s Office should continue working with stakeholders to ensure public environmental education programmes reach more people.

He stressed the need for sustained collaboration to enhance awareness and support conservation efforts nationwide.