VP wants practical solutions to environmental challenges
DODOMA: VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Philip Mpango has called on stakeholders to propose actionable recommendations, which address environmental challenges in the country.
Dr Mpango reaffirmed that environmental management and conservation are top priorities for the country’s development.
According to the fourth environmental report released this year, Tanzania loses an average of 24,151 hectares of forest annually.
The primary drivers of this loss include human activities such as reliance on firewood and charcoal, unsustainable forest harvesting, unregulated livestock farming and unsustainable agricultural practices.
Dr Mpango emphasised that the government, in collaboration with stakeholders, is continuously improving methods to address these challenges, including holding meetings as part of an ongoing strategy to confront environmental issues.
Speaking yesterday at a special meeting of leaders, experts and stakeholders on the state of the environment in Dodoma Region, Dr Mpango expressed concern over the current trends in environmental conservation, stating that more effort is needed to combat the challenges posed by environmental degradation and climate change.
“Our nation is currently suffering due to the numerous impacts of environmental degradation and climate change, which have significantly affected us. Therefore, we must work harder to address these challenges,” Dr Mpango stressed.
He added that environmental degradation and climate change pose a serious threat to the survival of all living beings, including humans, especially by jeopardising water availability, food security and even leading to outbreaks of diseases.
Despite efforts to tackle climate change, Dr Mpango highlighted several obstacles, including conflicting laws. He pointed out that the law establishing the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) still views charcoal as a source of revenue, which encourages the issuance of logging permits for charcoal production.
Other challenges include the slow pace of tree planting compared to deforestation rates, insufficient care for planted trees and a lack of public awareness regarding environmental conservation.
Dr Mpango also raised concerns about allegations that some charcoal traders are decision-makers with conflicts of interest, which undermines the movement towards environmental sustainability.
“These are challenges that I believe this meeting will address, with the aim of coming up with recommendations to ensure that Tanzania stops suffering from the impacts of climate change,” Dr Mpango underscored.
He further directed the Director General of the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) to use the meeting platform to outline gaps in environmental management, so that stakeholders and experts can develop practical solutions.
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Additionally, he instructed the Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Dr Ashatu Kijaji, to submit a report of the meeting, along with the stakeholders’ recommendations, to his office as soon as possible.
Earlier, Dr Kijaji explained that the meeting was convened to enhance understanding of the environmental trends in the country and to identify necessary measures for strengthening environmental management and conservation.
“The meeting aims to increase awareness and participation from all stakeholders in addressing the challenges posed by environmental degradation and climate change,” Dr Kijaji added.
The discussions covered a broad range of topics, including the blue economy, carbon trading and the overall system of environmental management and conservation.
