Tanzania allocates 578m/- for upgrading tourism at Mangrove Boardwalk

TANGA: THE Tanzanian government has allocated 578m/- toward a comprehensive initiative to upgrade tourism facilities at the Mangrove Boardwalk in the Tanga region.

Mapped in the Sahare area, where the Indian Ocean meets lush mangrove forests in the port city of Tanga, the boardwalk is strategically designed to bolster eco-tourism while preserving the natural environment.

Lawrence Brighton, the district forest conservator for Tanga under the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), told the publication during an interview yesterday that the project includes the construction of essential tourism infrastructure. These developments include a 350-meter wooden bridge, a dedicated photography area, modern restrooms, and a state-of-the-art restaurant.

He noted that the boardwalk was constructed with minimal environmental disruption, purposely avoiding large-scale deforestation to protect the surrounding coastal ecosystem.

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“This development was launched in a concerted effort to stimulate eco-tourism in Tanga, inspired by President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s nationwide drive to promote the tourism sector,” Brighton stated.

Since the installation of these visually striking facilities, the site has already attracted more than 19,500 visitors from across Tanzania.

The project has been executed in two phases. The first phase, funded internally by TFS during the 2024/25 fiscal year, involved constructing the initial 150 meters of the bridge. The government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, subsequently provided additional funding to complete the expansive project.

Brighton also acknowledged Tanga Regional Commissioner (RC), Dr Batilda Salha Burian, for championing the site and encouraging local residents to engage with the new attraction.