Local councils must protect public from wild animal attacks – govt
DODOMA: THE government has said district councils are duty bound to come up with arrangements that will protect citizens from wild animal attacks.
Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Dr Pindi Chana informed the Parliament of the duty on the part of district councils yesterday when responding to an outcry from legislators with regard to the unsatisfactory efforts in containing wild attacks caused by straying wild animals.
According to the minister, district councils, in consultation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, are required to devise strategies to protect citizens from attacks orchestrated by wild animals in their areas.
Giving explanation, the minister said part of the proceeds generated from the Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) located in various parts of the country are directed to district councils, with which they can spend on any crafted strategy meant to protect civilians from wild animal attacks.
Giving example, the minister said there have been cases where crocodiles have been attacking women and children fetching water on the shores of water bodies, saying district councils should build special reinforced water drawing points to protect the public.
According to the minister, the same explanation applies to containing attacks by other straying wild animals such as elephants.
However, she insisted that strategies must be implemented in collaboration with the ministry.
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In another development, the government has said it has been taking a number of measures to ensure forestry products exported outside the country undergo value addition.
Responding to the question by Deodatus Mwanyika (CCM- Njombe Urban), Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Danstan Kitandula said the government has been sensitizing the public on the need for use of modern technology in adding value to forestry products before exporting.
The deputy minister said the ministry has established the Forestry and Wood Industries Training Centre (FWITC) in Mufindi District, Iringa Region that focuses on value addition training on forestry products.
FWITC was established by the Private Forestry Programme (PFP) in 2016 to answer to the need for comprehensive and appropriate practical forestry and wood technology short courses close to the heart of the industry in the Southern Highlands.
The centre is equipped with key saw-milling and forestry equipment and tools. Staffing includes personnel specialized in saw-milling and harvesting operations and management.
The deputy minister said in the current 2024/2025 financial year, a total of 27 youths have so far undergone long-term course and another 103 youths graduated in short-term course so that they can offer training to tree farmers in the southern highland regions.
Furthermore, Mr Kitandula said, to enhance value addition to forestry products, the government, in collaboration with key stakeholders, is determined to transform the forestry sector through the development of the engineered wood sector, which has demonstrated its potential economic and social impact in the country.
Explaining more about the government determination, the deputy minister said the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT), in collaboration with the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC) Forestry Working Group (FWG) and Forestry Development Trust (FDT) crafted the National Engineered Wood Sector Development Framework (2021-2031) to promote the development of the engineered wood sector to increase its contribution to economic growth that leads to increased income, job creation and improved well-being of people engaged in the engineered wood industry.
