Prioritise environmental conservation, public urged
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIANS have been urged to prioritise and emphasise environmental conservation and management, as it remains a critical development agenda for human well-being.
Permanent Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office, Engineer Cyprian Luhemeja made this call over the weekend in Dar es Salaam during the launch of Environment Day commemorated at the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF).
Engineer Luhemeja said the world is currently facing major environmental challenges such as deforestation, biodiversity loss and global warming.
He stressed the need for joint efforts between the government, civil society organisations, the private sector and citizens to address these issues effectively.
“I call on all Tanzanians to cultivate a culture of protecting the environment by avoiding littering and reckless tree cutting. We must also embrace tree planting and reduce the use of firewood and charcoal by shifting to clean cooking energy,” said Engineer Luhemeja.
He added that Tanzania is endowed with vast natural resources and unique attractions recognised both nationally and internationally, including forests, marine ecosystems, the blue economy and mangrove areas.
If environmental degradation continues, these resources will be at risk.
Engineer Luhemeja urged citizens and stakeholders to reduce plastic usage by embracing the “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” philosophy.
Research shows that plastic waste takes between 400 and 1,000 years to decompose in the soil, posing significant health, environmental and economic threats.
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He explained that in addressing environmental challenges, the government, in collaboration with stakeholders, has taken various steps, including formulating and implementing the National Environmental Policy, the National Climate Change Strategy, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the National Disaster Risk Management Plan.
He further noted that over 90 per cent of households in the country still rely on firewood and charcoal as their main sources of cooking energy.
In response, the government has launched the ‘National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy (2024–2034)’, which aims to ensure that 80 per cent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy by 2034.
“This strategy reflects a genuine commitment to freeing Tanzanians from the harmful effects of dirty energy—especially women, who are the most affected. This is not just about stoves or fuel; it’s about health, dignity, opportunity and the right to live in a clean and safe environment,” he emphasised.
Earlier, Director of Trade Management at the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade), Ms Lulu Mkudde, said the launch of Environment Day was the first of its kind since the inception of the trade fair.
She said TanTrade will continue to support government efforts through the Vice-President’s Office on environmental conservation and management, particularly by raising awareness on the use of clean cooking energy and the importance of tree planting.
“We recognise that environmental conservation has now become an opportunity, including through the carbon trading business, which continues to benefit Tanzanian communities. We will continue supporting these efforts for the well-being and development of our society,” said Ms Mkudde.
