DODOMA: MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs) have expressed admiration for the USAID Tuhifadhi Maliasili Project (Preserve Natural Resources), a transformative initiative aimed at conserving Tanzania’s natural resources.
In a call to action, lawmakers urged the review of policies and laws to promote greater participation and inclusion of women, youth and marginalised groups in conservation activities.
The MPs were speaking in Dodoma during a successful capacity building training organised by MJUMITA, a network of local Community-based Organisations (CBOs) involved in Participatory Forest Management, in partnership with the USAID Tuhifadhi Maliasili Project.
The partnership organised the awareness training to members of the three parliamentary committees to equip lawmaker with necessary information regarding the implementation of a project.
This is a five-year activity (2021- 2026), funded by the USAID, that aims to address threats to animal movement and improve communities’ livelihoods in Tanzania.
The project is being implemented in seven wildlife corridors namely: Amani-Nilo, Kwakuchinja, NyerereSelous Udzungwa, Ruaha Rungwa–Katavi, Ruaha Rungwa-Inyonga, Kigosi Moyowosi – Burigi Chato and Mahale – Katavi, according to MJUMITA Project Officer, Benedict Minja.
“Through a Secure – Protect – Sustain approach, the project strengthens robust, locally led and inclusive approaches to biodiversity conservation, bringing together an effective combination of government, civil society and private sector actors throughout the country,’’ he said.
Tanzania’s forests and woodlands, grassy plains and coral reefs are home to a diverse and unique wildlife, with more than 55,000 confirmed species.
After decades of deforestation, Tanzania has lost at least one-third of its land area that sustains biodiversity.
“In partnership with USAID, we hope to renew economic benefits and strengthen the capacity of the Tanzania’s government not only manage natural resources, but ensure it is done by considering gender, youth and social inclusion in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management in Tanzania,” said Beatrice Sendegeya, a gender expert.
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Her sentiments were echoed by MPs who pushed for review of the current policies and laws to provide for gender inclusion in management of the country’s natural resources.
“As policy makers, we are duty bound to remind the government to put up effective plans that will see no one is left behind in the management of the country’s natural resources,’’ said the Chairperson of a parliamentary committee on Water and Environment Jackson Kiswaga.
The chairperson of a parliamentary committee on Natural Resources and Tourism, Timotheo Mnzava, said that in addressing threats to animal movement and biodiversity, it was high time the government came up with a robust plan for land use.
“This plan should make sure that it engages women, youth and special groups,’’ he added.
According to Special Seats MP, Agness Hokororo, there were many opportunities in wildlife and conservation, however, women were left behind in tapping those opportunities.
They include building institutional capacities of both public and private stakeholders, increasing private sector engagement in biodiversity conservation and natural resources management as well as improving the policy regulatory and enabling environment for biodiversity conservation and natural resource management.
Earlier in her remarks, MJUMITA Executive Director Rahima Njaidi emphasised the crucial role of MPs as policymakers in the country.
She explained that the awareness training was organised to equip lawmakers with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for harmonised laws in the wildlife sector.
