Year Ender: Geological conservation drives sustainable development

DAR ES SALAAM: IN a world where nature and culture intertwine, woven through history and ecology to shape rich biological and historical identities the concept of geological conservation stands out as a vital pillar of sustainable development.

Endowed with numerous natural attractions and historical sites, Tanzania continues to make a significant contribution to global heritage preservation.

In 2025, the country marked a major milestone with the launch of the Ngorongoro–Lengai Geological Heritage Museum, also known as the Urithi Geo Museum.

The state-of-the-art geological museum, valued 32bn/-, was funded by the government of China and constructed by the China Railway 25th Bureau Group.

The project aims to strengthen tourism infrastructure and promote conservation efforts within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and across the wider Ngorongoro–Lengai Geopark Development Project.

Beyond symbolising Tanzania’s commitment to preserving natural beauty and cultural heritage, the geopark is poised to stimulate economic growth through sustainable tourism, community participation and enhanced environmental awareness.

Located in North-Eastern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro–Lengai Geopark was officially launched on October 16, 2025, in Karatu District, Arusha Region, by former Vice President Dr Philip Mpango.

In his keynote address, Dr Mpango noted that the country, through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, was designated a geopark in 2018, making it the only geopark in Sub-Saharan Africa at the time and the second on the African continent.

In the same year, Tanzania received official Global Geopark status from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

UNESCO defines Global Geoparks as single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed using a holistic approach that integrates protection, education and sustainable development.

At the Ngorongoro–Lengai Geopark, strong local and regional partnerships have been established to conserve not only the area’s geological features but also its rich cultural, biological and historical heritage.

Currently, the geopark is one of only two UNESCO Global Geoparks in Africa, the other being in Morocco and one of 147 worldwide.

Dr Mpango said the completion of the Geological Heritage Museum marks an important step towards attracting more visitors interested in learning about Tanzania’s geological history.

He emphasised the need for effective museum management, including staff training, regular maintenance, infrastructure improvement and meaningful involvement of communities surrounding the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

He also urged Tanzanians to cultivate a culture of visiting and appreciating national attractions, describing them as invaluable national treasures that must be protected for future generations.

Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Chen Mingjian, said the project, implemented under the Belt and Road Initiative, reflects the long-standing strategic partnership between China and Tanzania, which dates back to 1964.

Meanwhile, the then Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Pindi Chana, highlighted that, in addition to its geopark designation, Ngorongoro has won Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction Award under the World Travel Awards in both 2023 and 2025.

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Chairman of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) Board, retired General Venance Mabeyo, commended the Sixth-Phase government for its continued investment in strengthening conservation infrastructure.

He described the Geological Heritage Museum as one of the government’s major achievements in promoting diversified tourism products.

Already, the Ngorongoro–Lengai Geological Heritage Museum is reshaping Tanzania’s tourism landscape by offering visitors an immersive gateway into one of the world’s most renowned conservation areas.

Inspired by Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai, one of the rarest active volcanoes in the world, the museum’s architectural design incorporates symbolic colours: Grey, which represents volcanic ash, orange for lava, blue for the sky and universe, brown for human heritage and green for ecology.

The structure reflects the deep inter connectedness between geology, humanity and environmental conservation.

Beyond tourism, the museum serves as a central hub of knowledge that would otherwise be difficult for ordinary visitors to access.

It provides essential context for understanding the evolution of Ngorongoro’s landscapes, ecosystems and communities.

Through the Urithi Geo Museum, the institution showcases Ngorongoro’s unique geological heritage while celebrating the ecological richness of the crater and the cultural traditions of surrounding communities.

Drawing on decades of scientific research conducted across the Ngorongoro–Lengai Geopark, the museum features exhibit on geological formations, volcanic features, rock specimens, early human fossils, ancient stone tools and a panoramic illustration of the Ngorongoro Crater.

Cultural exhibitions further highlight traditional artefacts from the Hadzabe, Datoga, Iraqw and Maasai communities, offering a comprehensive picture of the region’s human history.

Importantly, the geopark project also strengthens disaster risk management by incorporating modern equipment capable of detecting early signs of natural hazards, including volcanic activity, thereby enhancing safety within the conservation area.

Following UNESCO recognition in 2018, construction of the museum began in November 2024 and was completed in May 2025, marking a historic milestone not only in tourism development but also in the enduring partnership between Tanzania and China.

Despite China’s role as a development partner and financier of the project, the country has also emerged as an increasingly important tourism market for Tanzania.

According to Ambassador Chen Mingjian, Chinese tourist arrivals rose by 56.5 per cent in 2024 to reach 71,000 visitors, with destinations such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire gaining growing popularity among Chinese travelers.

As Tanzania looks ahead, the Ngorongoro–Lengai Geopark stands as a powerful example of how geological conservation can drive sustainable development balancing environmental protection, cultural preservation and economic growth for the benefit of present and future generations.