Friday, January 31, 2014

Buffalo gores, kills hunter in dramatic turn of events



By Anthony Mayunga ,The Citizen Correspondent

Posted  Friday, January 31  2014 at  00:00
In Summary
“We all believed the beast was dead and we were happy with the catch, before it surprised us with the attack on our colleague,” explained one of the eyewitnesses who, however, preferred anonymity.
Serengeti. Miseke Village resident, suspected to be a poacher, died after a trapped buffalo at Ikorongo Reserve broke loose and gored him.
It is the second similar incident in 18 months as in 2012 another resident was rammed to death by a buffalo bull he had trapped near Nyaburekari River.
The village’s executive officer, Mr Yohane Sentehu, named the victim as Emanuel Mustafa Msikanguru, 30, who was critically wounded after the attack and died on the way to Nyerere DDH Hospital.
However, there were conflicting reports on his death as some of his close relatives claimed he was attacked while cutting trees in the reserve, while others claimed he met his sudden demise while taking his cattle back home.
But reliable sources told The Citizen that the deceased and three others were tracking a buffalo which they later found caught in one of their traps.
The bull lay still when they cautiously approached the area where it was trapped. Catching them unawares, the bull sprang at the deceased and tossed him in the air, inflicting serious wounds on his body.
“We all believed the beast was dead and we were happy with the catch, before it surprised us with the attack on our colleague,” explained one of the eyewitnesses who, however, preferred anonymity.
Eyewitnesses claimed the buffalo disappeared shortly after the attack.
The ward’s councilor, Mr Marko Shaweshi, told The Citizen that the deceased could have survived had he received treatment timely.
“It took him long to get assistance, a situation that might have led to his death as the bull had pierced his thigh causing him to bleed profusely,” explained the councilor.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Tanzania-Saudi youths write to President Kikwete and King Abdulaziz

 1.            Director General of TANAPA Allan Kijazi  who hosted the forum in his welcoming remarks.

  Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu (second right) presenting a souvenior photo of the Wildbeest Migration in the Serengeti National Park to the Saudi-Arabian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economics and Cultural Affairs, Dr Yousef Al-Sadoon
 Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu (second right) receiving a souvenior from the Saudi-Arabian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economics and Cultural Affairs, Dr Yousef Al-Sadoon. Looking on from left are Director of Tourism and Marketing of TANAPA Ibrahim Mussa and Director General of TANAPA Allan Kijazi
 Youths from Tanzania and Saudi Arabia presenting their letters on biodiversity conservation during the closing ceremony

1.            Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu in a group photo with the participants of the just ended Tanzania Saudi Youth DialogueForum.


Tanzania-Saudi Youth Dialogue Forum participants have agreed to deliver special messages on issues of biodiversity conservation to both the President of the United Republic of Tanzania H.E Jakaya Kikwete and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
This was said recently during the closing ceremony of the Tanzania-Saudi Youth Forum, which was officiated by the Tanzanian Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Honorable Lazaro Nyalandu.
The letters from Bilateral Youth Group was read during the closing ceremony by Ms Rayan Hejles-Fir from Saudi Arabia and her Tanzanian counterpart, Hans Cosmas-Ngoteya, while another dispatch from the ‘Multilateral Youth Group was read by Ms Zainab Abdallah from Tanzania and Ms Haifa Al Bassam from Saudia.
The first ever two-state Youth Dialogue Forum on matters of biodiversity was hosted by the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) under the main theme of "Construction and implementation of the regulatory framework for biodiversity conservation."
“The youth also toured Arusha, Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute and Mweka College of Wildlife, enjoying the opportunity of interacting and discussing the future of biodiversity conservation in the two countries,’’ stated Allan Kijazi, the Director General for TANAPA.
Kijazi lauded Saudi-Arabia for selecting Tanzania to be the first country in hosting the forum assuring that positive outcomes should be expected from the dialogues, adding that TANAPA intends to organize similar dialogues with other countries in future.
Kijazi said TANAPA being the custodian of the country's 16 National Parks, felt proud to host the international dialogue and used the occasion to request the Saudi government to assist Tanzania in the war against poaching. 
The Minister for Natural resources and Tourism Mr Lazaro Nyalandu said the Saudi team which also placed high priority on religion and spiritual development of the mind, must have felt at home in the well-conserved parts of Tanzania maintaining their original profiles since creation.
The Saudi Princess Haifa Bint Abdul Aziz who visited the country last month and happens to be the coordinator of the forum, said the forum was taking place for the first time in Africa and Tanzania was chosen to host it due to its historical background and commitment to protecting wildlife and natural resources supported by peace and security prevailing in the country.

The youth forum is an initiative by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz for dialogue among forums worldwide under the Saudi International Youth Dialogue Forums programme.

The forums provide a platform for Saudi youth to interact with their peers from different countries, while adopting their creative initiatives and solutions under various themes.




Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Chinese ivory smuggler gets record sentence



Posted  Wednesday, January 29  2014 at  11:49
In Summary
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  • A spokesman for the Kenya Wildlife Service, which manages the country’s celebrated national parks, welcomed the verdict
Nairobi, Tuesday. A court in Kenya today slapped a record sentence on a Chinese ivory smuggler, the first person to be convicted under tough new laws designed to stem a surge in poaching.
Tang Yong Jian, 40, was ordered to pay 20 million shillings, about 170,500 euros, 233,000 dollars, or else go to jail for seven years. He was arrested last week carrying an ivory tusk weighing 3.4 kilogrammes in a suitcase while in transit from Mozambique to China via Nairobi.
A spokesman for the Kenya Wildlife Service, which manages the country’s celebrated national parks, welcomed the verdict.
“It’s a landmark ruling that sets a precedent for those involved in smuggling,” Paul Udoto told AFP, saying stricter sentences will make the “killing of wildlife a high cost business”.
“It’s a remarkable precedent,” he said, explaining that the fact that smugglers were previously punished with “a slap on the wrist” was demoralising for park rangers.
“It’s very motivating for our rangers” to see poachers “lose a lot of money and spend long terms in Kenyan prisons,” he said.
Kenya is a key transit point for ivory smuggled from across the region.
Poaching has risen sharply in Africa in recent years, with rhinos and elephants particularly hard-hit.
Under the new law, which came into force a month ago, dealing in wildlife trophies carries a minimum fine of a million shillings or a minimum jail sentence of five years, or both.
The most serious wildlife crimes -- the killing of endangered animals -- now carry penalties of life imprisonment, as well as fines of up to 20 million Kenyan shillings.
Previously, punishment for the most serious wildlife crimes was capped at a maximum fine of 40,000 Kenyan shillings, about 340 euros, 465 dollars, and a possible jail term of up to 10 years.
Some smugglers caught in Kenya with a haul of ivory were even fined less than a dollar apiece. (AFP)





Courts handle 516 ‘Tokomeza’ cases


By Rosina John ,The Citizen Correspondent

Posted  Wednesday, January 29  2014 at  00:00
In Summary
The CJ said six resident magistrate’s courts and 19 district courts heard the cases brought under various laws, including the Economic Crime Act, Wildlife Conservation Act and National Parks Act.
Dar es Salaam. There were a total of 516 court cases related to Operesheni Tokomeza during the anti-poaching campaign, Chief Justice Chande Othman Chande said yesterday.
Mr Justice Chande told journalists that of the cases filed between October 4 to November 1, last year, 198 were heard and determined, which is equivalent to 38.37 per cent.
He was briefing the media on Law Day to be marked on February 3 under the theme Utendaji Haki kwa Wakati; Umuhimu wa Ushiriki wa Wadau. (timely delivery of justice; the importance of stakeholders’ participation).
The CJ said six resident magistrate’s courts and 19 district courts heard the cases brought under various laws, including the Economic Crime Act, Wildlife Conservation Act and National Parks Act. Operesheni Tokomeza was suspended after a parliamentary select committee tabled a report detailing widespread human rights abuses.
Four Cabinet ministers were forced out after agencies under their watch were implicated in the atrocities. They are Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha (Defence and National Service), Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi (Home Affairs), Mr Khamis Kagasheki (Natural Resources and Tourism) and Dr Mathayo David (Livestock Development and Fisheries).
On Law Day, Mr Justice Chande said the occasion would be marked at the new High Court premises in the city centre.
He added that the guest honour would be President Jakaya Kikwete.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

TRA yapata dawa uvushaji meno ya tembo



28/01/2014 | Posted by Shehe Semtawa Kitaifa

MAMLAKA ya Mapato Tanzania (TRA) imesema wafanyabiashara wanaoshirikiana na watendaji wa Bandari ya Dar es Salaam kupitisha makontena ya meno ya tembo watabainika baada ya kuanza kutumika kwa mfumo mpya wa kielektroniki bandarini hapo.
Wakizungumza na waandishi wa habari jana jijini Dar es Salaam katika mafunzo mafupi yaliyohusu mfumo huo mpya, Naibu Kamishna wa TRA, Bellium Silaa, alisema mfumo huo umeanza kutumika katika bandari hiyo na utasaidia kupunguza utengenezaji wa nyaraka bandia unaofanikisha kupitisha makontena yenye bidhaa haramu yakiwemo meno ya tembo.
“Kwanza ni lazima tufahamu kuwa mfumo huu ni wetu, tumeubuni wenyewe na Wakorea wametusaidia kutengeneza, hivyo katika kupitisha mizigo yote lazima ionyeshe ni nani alihusika kufanya nini na wakati gani.
“Pia ni ngumu kutengeneza ‘export entry’ na hata mihuri haitakuwepo kwa maana hiyo hata utengenezaji wa nyaraka bandia utapungua,” alisema na kuongeza kwamba mfumo huo umegharimu dola milioni 11 za Marekani lakini unahitaji sana uadilifu wa watendaji wa bandari.
Kwa mujibu wa kamishna huyo, mfumo wa kielektroniki unaondoa mianya ya rushwa, unapunguza kufahamiana na hakuna msafirishaji au mwingizaji wa mzigo atakayeondoka na nyaraka mkononi bila kufanyiwa ‘scanning’ kwa kuwa kila kitu kitaendeshwa kwa mashine.
Alisema mfumo huo utaanza Machi mosi mwaka huu, ambapo mipaka na bandari zote zilizopo nchini zitahusishwa.
“Kama kuna mzigo utazidi basi ni lazima vitu vilivyomo ndani ya makontena hayo vipigwe mnada na taarifa za mnada unaohusu vitu hivyo vitawekwa ‘online’ ili wadau wote wafahamu,” alisema.
Alisema kuanza kwa mfumo huo kutahusisha idara mbalimbali zikiwemo Mamlaka ya Chakula na Dawa (TFDA), Shirika la Viwango (TBS) na Mkemia Mkuu wa Serikali.

Monday, January 27, 2014

TANAPA KUENDESHWA KWA MFUMO WA KIJESHI ILI KUDHIBITI UJANGILI


Askari wapya waliomaliza mafunzo ya miezi mine katika Hifadhi ya Taifa Katavi wakipiga saluti kabla ya kuwasilisha risala yao kwa Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa TANAPA Allan Kijazi aliyekuwa mgeni rasmi.

Katika kukabiliana na vitendo vya ujangili vinavyoendelea kushika kasi ndani nan je ya mipaka ya nchi yetu, Shirika la Hifadhi za Taifa (TANAPA) litaendeshwa katika mfumo wa jeshi-usu katika siku chache zijazo ambapo watumishi wake watalazimika kupitia katika mafunzo maalum ya kijeshi.

Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa TANAPA aliyasema hayo mwishoni mwa wiki alipokuwa akifunga rasmi mafunzo ya askari wapya 96 walioajiriwa na TANAPA na kuhudhuria mafunzo ya miezi minne katika Hifadhi ya Taifa Katavi mwishoni mwa wiki.

Kijazi alisema kuwa TANAPA imeanzisha utaratibu mpya ambapo sasa askari wanaoajiriwa na shirika kutoka katika Vyuo vya Wanyamapori vya Mweka na Pasiansi pamoja na wale wa kutoka Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa watalazimika kupitia mafunzo maalum yanayoandaliwa na shirika kwa ajili ya kuwawezesha waajiriwa wapya kufahamu mazingira halisi ya utendaji kazi katika eneo la uhifadhi katika maeneo ya Hifadhi za Taifa.





Sunday, January 26, 2014

Bila rasilimali haiwezekani kuhifadhi wanyama, kutokomeza ujangili!


Na Gaudensia Mngumi
25th January 2014

Operesheni tokomeza ujangili iliyokusudiwa kuondoa manjangili wa vipusa na wavamizi wa maeneo ya hifadhi ilimalizika kwa kuwang’oa madarakani mawaziri wane sababu kubwa ikiwa ni mauaji na udhalimu dhidi ya raia na uharibifu wa mali.

Hata hivyo serikali inajipanga ili kuanza operesheni tokomeza mpya na safari hii ikifanyika kwa umakini zaidi kutunza wanyamapori,  maeneo ya hifadhi na kumaliza ujangili kwa kuzingatia haki za binadamu .

Tokomeza ni moja ya mbinu za kumaliza ujangili nyingine ni zipi? Ujangili uliokithiri ni kielelezo cha kushindwa kumudu sekta ya wanyamapori ni changamoto gani zilizojikita eneo hilo? Ni  nini hatma ya sekta ya wanyama pori na uhafadhi?

NIPASHE inazungumza na mtaalamu wa ekolojia tasnis maingiliano baina ya viumbe hai binadamu wanyama,mimea na mazingira wa Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Saalaam, Profesa Raphael Mwalyosi kuhusu sekta ya uhifadhi, wanyamapori na hatma yake.

Profesa Mwalyosi alifanya shahada za uzamili na uzamivu kwenye taaluma ya ekolojia ndani ya mbuga ya wanyama ya Ziwa Manyara na pia  bonde zima la ziwa Manyara.

Anaanza kuzungumzia juu ya sekta ya uhafadhi akitahadharisha kuwa licha ya Tanzania kuwa na nia njema ya kuhifadhi wanyama na mimea kwa ajili ya taifa na dunia serikali haina rasilimali watu, fedha, vifaa na teknolojia vya kutosha kuendeleza sekta hii.

Mwanaekolojia huyu anaeleza;“asilimia 30 ya ardhi ya Tanzania imetengwa kwa ajili ya hifadhi. Hiki ni kiasi kikubwa sana, kinaifanya kuwa taifa linaloongoza duniani kwa kuwa na maeneo makubwa yanayohifadhiwa.”

Tanzania ina ukubwa wa kilometa za mraba 945,000 ambazo asilimia 30 ni hifadhi, hivyo rasilimali hizo zinahitajika kuhifadhi maeneo hayo..

Kwa mujibu wa Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii hifadhi inahusisha mapori tengefu, wanyama, misitu ya hifadhi , hifadhi za baharini, milima mabonde majengo /magofu, michoro ya mapangoni na mambo ya kale ambayo ni nyayo za mtu wa kale zilizoko Laetoli mkoani Manyara.

Pia uhifadhi unahusisha  hifadhi 28, mbuga za wanyama karibu 14 kama Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Mikumi na Serengeti. Ipo pia  michoro ya mapangoni iliyoko Kondoa, mabonde mengi mfano bonde la Ngongoro, Olduvai na  Ruaha.

Yapo magofu ya Kilwa, Mji Mkongwe wa Zanzibar , hifadhi ya Mlima Kilimanjaro na hifadhi za bahari zilizoko Bara na Visiwani.

Profesa Mwalyosi anasema yapo maeneo mengi na vivutio vingi na kwamba uhifadhi huu na uendelezaji wake unahitaji fedha  na nguvu  kazi za kutosha.Hata hivyo rasilimali hizo zinategemea zaidi msaada wa wafadhili jambo linalozua maswali mengi kuhusu hatma ya sekta hii.

TEMBO NA MAZINGIRA
Mwalyosi amebobea kwenye eneo la tabia na mienendo ya tembo akieleza kuwa mwaka 1975 alishiriki kuwahesabu wanyama pori akifanya kazi kwenye mbuga ya Manyara.Sensa hiyo iliwezesha pia kujifunza uharibifu wa mazingira unaofanywa na tembo.

“Tembo wanatabia ya kuharibu mazingira wakishazaliana wakaongezeka  wanaharibu misitu na mapori na kuharibu uoto wa asili.Ni tabia yao wanavyofanya popote wanapopatikana.”

Anasema wanatabia hiyo kutokana na idadi yao kuongezeka na mazingira  kuwakataa kwani hakuna chakula cha kuwatosha na baada ya kyharibu  mapori huondoka.

Anasema sensa ya wanyama iliyofanyika Manyara ilihesabu tembo karibu 700 lakini mwaka 1978 walikuwa wamechakaza mapori na karibu wote waliondoka. Hata hivyo miti ikistawi wanarejea tena kwenye makazi ya awali,

 Tembo ni waharibifu wa misitu na mapori na hata maeneo ya vijiji jirani  kwa hiyo iwapo  watazaliana na kuongezeka watahitaji mapori makubwa ya kutosha ili kwenda na kuanzisha makazi. Kwa ujumla ni wanyama wanaotaka sehemu kubwa za kuishi na uangalizi ili wasiuawe kupata meno.

Profesa Mwalyosi ambaye anazijua tabia na changamoto za tembo, anasema swali kubwa la kujiuliza ni hili Tanzania iko wapi katika kutunza na kuzifanya rasilimali hizi  nyingi zilizosambaa nchi nzima ili ziwe  endelevu? Anaanzia na ujangili;

UJANGILI
Anasema changamoto kubwa ya uhifadhi wanyama hao  tembo na faru  ni ujangili na kwamba zipo aina mbili kuu za ujangili ambazo ni kuwaua wanyama pori ili kupata kitoweo na kuua tembo na faru kupata vipusa vya biashara ya kimataifa.

Anasema ujangili wa kitoweo hufanywa na baadhi ya jamii zilizo karibu na mbunga mfano Serengeti wananchi huwinda wanyama kupata nyama maarufu kama ‘kimolo’, hii hutokea wakati wanyama wakihama.

Anatahadharisha kuwa wanyama wanaouawa ili kupata kitoweo ni kiasi kikubwa kwa mwaka ukilinganisha na taarifa zinazokusanywa. Hata hivyo majangili hawa wa kitoweo hawaui tembo bali wanawinda mbogo, pundamilia, nyumbu na swala.

Ujangili mwingine ni wa kibiashara wawindaji haramu wanasaka meno ya tembo na vipusa vya faru, hawa wanaangamiza tembo na vifaru.

VICHOCHEO
Anasema zipo sababu kadhaa za ujangili huu wa kibiashara lakini mojawapo ni kupatikana kwa masoko ya uhakika na wanunuzi kutoka nchi za Mashariki ya Mbali kuwepo nchini ili kufanikisha uhalifu huo.

“Tangu zamani ujangili ulifanyika, kwa mfano kwenye mbuga za Ruaha na Manyara ulikuwa ukifika msimu fulani tembo waliwindwa na meno kukusanywa zikuwepo meli maalumu zilizofika bandarini kibiashara lakini pia zilichukua nyara hizo.”

SOKO LA UHAKIKA
Anasema zama hizo meno ya tembo yalikuwa na soko la msimu ilikuwa vigumu kuuza meno kwa haraka, kwa wakati mmoja na kupata fedha ilikuwa yasafirishwe hadi ughaibuni hadi soko litakapopatikana.

Profesa anasema nyakati hizi masoko yapo, wanunuzi wanapatikana hapa nchini hakuna kuhangaika na kusubiri meli za msimu .

Anaeleza kuwa kuwepo wafanyabiashara  na wanunuzi wa meno haya hapa nchini kunachochea ujangili kwa kasi kubwa.

TEKNOLOJIA
Teknolojia na ubunifu inakuza pia ujangili kwa kuwa wengine wanayachakata meno ya tembo kutengeza vipande vidogo na kuvivaa kama shanga. Wengine  huyasaga unga badala ya kubeba meno mazima kufanya hivyo kunarahisisha ujangili hivyo biashara kuwa nyepesi na usafirishaji kuwa rahisi na unaoweza kukwepa mitego.

ULINZI HAFIFU
Anasema ulinzi hafifu unaotokana na kukosa rasilimali watu kama  askari wa wanyama pori, vifaa magari, helkopta, silaha na viona mbali kwenye hifadhi unaochangia ujangili kukomaa.

Tanzania inahifadhi nyingi, ndiyo  inaongoza hapa duniani kwa kuhifadhi maeneo makubwa ya ardhi ambayo ni mbuga za wanyama, mapori ya akiba, misitu,mapori tengefu na  maeneo oevu (wetlands).

Hata hivyo hakuna fedha za kutosha za kuyamudu na kuyaendeleza maeneo na rasilimali zillizoko ndani yake.

Ukweli ni kwamba mapori haya ni makubwa nchi ni maskini zinahitajika rasilimali nyingi na watu wa kuyatunza kama askari wa wanyama pori wa kuyasimamia na vitendea kazi na motisha na mishahara kwa ajili yao,kwa nchi hii maskini fedha hizo zinatoka wapi?

Kwa ujumla Tanzania haiwezi kusimamia na kutunza sekta hii kwa kuwa imehifadhi maeneo makubwa mno. “Nakumbuka kipindi fulani hayati Baba wa Taifa Mwalimu Julius Nyerere alisema tunahifadhi kwa ajili ya ulimwengu mzima, akitarajia dunia itasaidia kutunza rasilimali hizi,”anakumbusha Profesa Mwalyosi.

Anasema yako baadhi ya mashirika ya kimataifa yanayochangia sekta ya wanyama pori kama Frankfurt Zoological Society ya Ujerumani, Shirika la Wanyama walio katika hatari ya kuangamia (CITIES) na lile la Umoja wa Mataifa la Utamaduni na Sayansi (UNESCO).

“Michango yao ni midogo haitoshi kwa sababu kuna maeneo makubwa sana na vipo vitu vingi wanyama wengi sana wanaohitaji kuhifadhiwa na kulindwa, ” anafafanua na kuongeza:

“Tanzania haina uwezo huo, nchi ilitegemea dunia isaidie lakini  msaada unaotolewa ni kidogo kuna wakati Rais Jakaya Kikwete, alisema ukitoa eneo liwe urithi wa diunia watu wote wanafurahi lakini ina kuwa vigumu dunia kuchangia kikamilifu kuyaendeleza maeneo ya urithi yaliyotengwa kwa ajili ya wote.”

Makala  hii itaendelea wiki ijayo kueleza nini kifanyike kuifanya sekta hii kuwa endelevu.

CHANZO: NIPASHE
Habari Zaidi

Operesheni ya ujangili yaundiwa mahakama sasa


Na Florence Majani, Mwananchi

Posted  Januari25  2014  
Kwa ufupi
Jaji Werema alisema jijini Dar es Salaam jana kuwa uteuzi wa wajumbe wa tume hiyo unahitaji umakini mkubwa na majina hayo lazima yakubaliwe na Rais, kabla ya kutangazwa.
Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali, Jaji Frederick Werema amesema mchakato wa kuwapata wajumbe wa Tume ya Kimahakama ya Kuchunguza Madhara ya Operesheni Tokomeza Ujangili umeshaanza na majina hayo yatawekwa wazi hivi karibuni.
Jaji Werema alisema jijini Dar es Salaam jana kuwa uteuzi wa wajumbe wa tume hiyo unahitaji umakini mkubwa na majina hayo lazima yakubaliwe na Rais, kabla ya kutangazwa.
Baadhi ya vifungu vya sheria hiyo vinasema kuwa, Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali ana uwezo wa kuteua ofisa wa polisi kuwemo kwenye tume hiyo, kushauriana na Rais kuhusu wajumbe hao na wajumbe wa tume hiyo kwa sababu wanatoka katika Jeshi la Polisi wanaweza.
Kadhalika sheria hiyo inaelekeza kila mjumbe wa tume kula kiapo mbele ya Rais kabla ya kuanza kazi.
Ripoti ya Bunge
Baada ya ripoti hiyo kusomwa bungeni Desemba mwaka jana na Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Ardhi, Maliasili na Mazingira, James Lembeli, Rais Jakaya Kikwete aliamuru iundwe tume ya kimahakama ili kuchunguza ukweli wa ripoti hiyo pamoja na waliotajwa kuhujumu operesheni hiyo.
Kabla ya kuhamishwa wizara, aliyekuwa Waziri wa Katiba na Sheria, Mathias Chikawe, alisema mchakato wa kuundwa kwa tume hiyo ya kimahakama huenda ukakamilika mwezi huu.
Chikawe alisema, Tume hiyo itaundwa na jaji kutoka Mahakama Kuu, wapelelezi na baadhi ya wanasheria.
“Itahusisha watu ambao watafanya kazi kisheria zaidi kwa kuangalia kwa kina kipi kilitokea wakati wa operesheni hiyo, ili tuufahamu ukweli kwa sababu ripoti ile kwa kweli ilitushitua,” alisema Chikawe.
Alisema tume hiyo itapita katika maeneo yote ambayo yametajwa kwenye ripoti na kufanya uchunguzi wa kina kubaini iwapo kweli matukio kama hayo yalifanywa na polisi.
“Pia tume itajaribu kuangalia kama ni kweli wapo watu ambao walikuwa wanapata yale mateso yaliyotajwa kwenye ripoti kwa mfano mtu kulazimishwa kuchora chatu kwa kutumia kiwembe kwenye paja,” alisema.
Chlisema Tume ya Kimahakama itachunguza kwa kina madhara yaliyotokana na operesheni hiyo iliyosababisha utesaji wa kinyama, vifo, uharibifu wa mali na upotevu wa mifugo. Tume itachunguza waliohusika, ikiwa ni pamoja na waliotajwa katika ripoti hiyo ya Kamati ya Bunge kwa kuhujumu operesheni hiyo.
Matumizi mabaya ya silaha (Mfano; mzee wa miaka 70 kuuawa kwa kupigwa risasi tatu, nyumba za wananchi kuchomwa moto, mifugo kuuawa kikatili kwa kuchomwa moto na kupigwa risasi.
Mengine ni kulazimishwa kufanya mapenzi na mti, kufanya mapenzi na baba mkwe, na baadhi kulazimishwa kuchora chatu kwenye paja kwa kutumia wembe.
ikawe alisema kama tume hiyo itagundua kuwa ni kweli polisi walifanya unyama huo basi kwa hakika hatua kali zitachukuliwa.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Why elephants face extinction in Tanzania ….. alarming data released



Natural Resources and Tourism deputy minister Lazaro Nyalandu talks with head of delegation of the European Union Ambassador Filiberto Sebregondi (R ) and South Africa High Commissioner Thanduyise Chiliza moments after a meeting on the 2013 elephant population census in the Selous, Mikumi and Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystems.(Photo: Omar Fungo)

By Amina Yahya
11th January 2014

Na Editor
10th January 2014


The new elephant census released yesterday shows that the population of the large mammals is going down across the country, and the government is accusing unnamed international traders for abetting illegal trade in ivory.

Poaching and grazing near wildlife reserves are the major reasons behind the alarming depletion of the jumbos.
Statistics show the endangered species now face possible extinction.

The report “The Elephant populations status in Selous-Mikumi and Ruaha-Rungwa Ecosystems; Census Results of 2013’ launched in Dar es Salaam yesterday cites increased demand for ivory, particularly in the Far East, and lucrative prices as catalysts for recent incidents of widespread elephant poaching in Tanzania.

The report shows that there are only 13,084 elephants left in the Mikumi-Selous ecosystems and 29,090 in Ruaha-Rungwa in year 2013 – a 66 percent decrease from the 2009 population of 38,975 elephants.

In the meantime, the Ruaha- Rungwa ecosystem has experienced a 36.5 percent decline from 31,625 elephants recorded in 2009.

Speaking during the launch of the census, deputy minister for Natural Resources and Wildlife Lazaro Nyalandu said the decrease in elephant population was verified by the number of carcasses that were counted during the census during which some 6,516 and 3,496 carcasses were counted in the Selous-Mikumi and Ruaha- Rungwa ecosystems.

He noted that a large number of elephant deaths were non-natural, saying that only about seven to eight per cent of the animals are estimated to have died naturally, either through disease or old age.

Nyalandu said the census results were clear evidence that poaching of elephants had reached alarming proportions, and released figures showing elephant tusks weighing 32,987kg were seized within and outside the country between 2008 and September, 2013.

He also blamed increased  of livestock grazing in protected areas and wildlife corridors as one of the reasons for the decrease of elephants across the country.

He cited the Kilombero Game Controlled Area -- part of the Selous-Mikumi ecosystems – which was home to some 2,080 elephants in the 2002 census but none were recorded in the just-ended census

“In response to this … the ministry is determined to intensify the protection of wildlife in collaboration with other stakeholders including defence and security forces and regional and international conservation systems,” he said.

He called upon wildlife managers to work with integrity and stop assisting poachers, warning that the government would have ‘zero tolerance’ for those involved in poaching.
The ministry spent some $160,000 during the latest census – from government and the donor funds.

Other statistics indicate that in 1976 the Selous-Mikumi ecosystem had 109,419 elephants – which dropped to a mere 22,208 in 19991 following a wave of poaching between 1984 and 1989.

However, the population rose to an impressive 70,406 in 2006 following a countrywide Operation Uhai between 1989 and 1990 along with international conservation efforts which included termination of the ivory trade.

Last year, the government again launched a countrywide anti-poaching campaign (Operation Tokomeza), which President Jakaya Kikwete suspended after establishing that it was conducted unethically -- focusing on civilians and their property – literally setting the poachers free to further decimate the elephants.

The president subsequently sacked four ministers for failing to effectively manage the infamous Operesheni Tokomeza Ujangili - a government anti-poaching campaign which remains suspended indefinitely due to claims of abuses against civilians such as torture, extortion and murder.

Khamis Kagasheki, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism; David Mathayo, Livestock Development and Fisheries;  Emmanuel Nchimbi, Home Affairs; and and Shamsi Vuai Nahodha,  Defence and National Service were all fired following a day of contentious Bunge debates and increasing public outcry over their failure to rein-in inept, trigger-happy subordinates.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda admitted the way Operesheni Tokomeza Ujangili was run was appalling, and that many of the things committed by those tasked with protecting Tanzania’s dwindling wildlife were simply “unacceptable.”

“We started out with the best of intentions,” Mr Pinda told a packed House. “However, it's clear there were major problems with how the [anti-poaching] programme was managed.”

In a televised, all-day session that touched the hearts of lawmakers and observers alike, Members of Parliament shared horrid tales of how Operesheni Tokomeza was used to systematically break down, torture and murder innocent civilians.

The dismissals of the four ministers came after a parliamentary inquiry uncovered the murder of 13 civilians, arrests of over 1,000 people and other abuses by the army, policemen, game rangers and forestry officials.

Last year, the president also sacked six ministers, including holders of the finance and energy portfolios, due to growing public and opposition discontent over graft allegations.

Investors have also gone on record that graft was one of the main reasons for the high cost of doing business in Tanzania, which has since struck huge reserves of natural gas off its southern coast.

The president’s latest intervention against officials seen to be abusing their positions could further strengthen his hand ahead of a parliamentary and presidential elections in 2015.

Analysts said Kikwete was expected to announce a wider cabinet reshuffle in the coming days following growing criticism of the performance of other key members of his government, with more ministers likely to lose their jobs.

A report authored by Tanzania Elephant Protection Society (TEPS) last year clearly stated that investment relations between China and Tanzania were behind the rise in elephant poaching across the country 

The report observed that though the Chinese investments were key to the country’s economy and development, they shouldn’t compromise natural wildlife conservation efforts.

The report -- which stated clearly the current rate of 30 elephants killed every day and 850 elephants shot every month -- posed unprecedented risk of the country’s elephant population perishing within the next seven years  “China is the number one investor in Tanzania … but the majority of tusks exported illegally from Tanzania end up in China due to the huge demand for Ivory in China,” the document stated in part.

It affirmed: “Tanzania’s partnership with China is of great benefit to the country’s economy and development but it must not be at the expense of Tanzania’s vital natural resources and tourist industry … this requires political will and strong leadership.”

In another development, the natural resources ministry has sacked 21 of its officials following abuses of office, with others being implicated in poaching activities in the game parks

The document cited some of the most affected areas in poaching as Moyowosi in Kigoma region, Ugalla ecosystem which had less than 500 elephants left by then; Katavi -- Ruangwa in the Ruaha; the Selous Game Reserve where elephants were reportedly almost gone, Kilombero Valley, Southern Selous and the Selous Niassa corridor which were under threat.

On April 30, last year, the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee for lands, natural resources and environment, James Lembeli, told the House that poaching activities had reached alarming proportions, and that it should be declared a national disaster.

In Kenya, similar findings were made last September after a UN report pointed an accusing finger on Chinese expatriates working in the region with regard to the rise in poaching in the EAC member states.

The document that dwelt on drugs and human trafficking made it clear that Thailand and China remained two of the most important destinations for ivory.

“Expatriate Chinese residents in Eastern Africa comprise some of the most important middlemen. Although they have taken measures to address the illicit trade, Thailand and China remain two of the most important destinations,” the document stated in part.

 The report titled Transnational Organised Crime in Eastern Africa: a Threat Assessment was launched Nairobi by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Apart from ivory, the report focused on migrant smuggling from Somalia and Ethiopia, heroin trafficking from South-West Asia to Eastern Africa and Somalia maritime piracy.

The report said demand for ivory in Asia fuelled poaching in the region, undermining sustainability of local elephant population with Kenya and Tanzania as the main transit points of the ivory and act as sources.

The document stated that between 2009 and 2011, Tanzania accounted for 37 per cent of global recovered ivory; Kenya had 27 per cent, Uganda three per cent, South Africa 10 per cent and West Africa four per cent.

The report said between 5,600 and 15,400 elephants were poached in the region annually, producing between 54 and 154 metric tonnes of the illicit ivory.  
 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN 

Government must admit it is incompetent to take care of wildlife



By Editor
12th January 2014

Editorial Cartoon
 A measure of hope was being raised by the Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu, in relation to what the government can do to tackle the danger of total extinction of elephants, on the basis of news summaries of the press conference the deputy minister gave on Friday.

He appeared to suggest that there is a specific or elaborate ministerial plan to tackle the problem, and also intimated the start of a new authority for wildlife protection. 

Without a survey of opinion one can’t say how many people reacted with a minimum of relief or hope for change in that area, but chances are that skepticism must have greeted that announcement, evidently.

There was in the first place a measure of deception when a daily newspaper talked about the deputy minister revealing the ‘secret’ behind wanton elephant  carnage, and reading the details it seemed that it is a sharp price rise in the Far East for trophies. 

That observation did not qualify to be called a ‘secret,’ and in like manner there was little of a ministerial plan worth the name that was visible from the deputy minister’s remarks, not even the formation of new authority on wildlife. 

It was easy to see that this sort of organizational caveat, to create hopes that a new constitutive body would work differently, is merely a time buying tactic, also carrying political bearings.

One datum that the deputy minister unearthed in his remarks that should have underlined the need for massive organizational change in the entire natural resources sector is an observation on the elephant population in the Selous-Mikumi ecological zone, a vast national park or rather two national parks. 

The deputy minister noted that the population of jumbos in the area had, since 2009 where nearly 39,000 jumbos were to be found, had now declined to around 20,000- which represents a loss close to 50 per cent of total wildlife in the area. 

If half of the jumbo population is cut down in four years, how does the government reverse the trend, with the same people?

That is what deputy minister Nyalandu can’t get away from, that any new administrative authority to be formed by the government will carry most people in the current Tanzania National Parks Authority set up, and that means it is ‘old wine in new bottles.’ 

There are even a few who a bit cynically take it that the deputy minister is seeking to underline a minimum of vision and zeal in tackling existing problems as part of the guesswork as to filling the vacant post as the minister had to quit or was sacked recently. 

That could be excessive but it is unlikely that a sort of revolution has occurred in terms of how the government looks at the wildlife issue, only due to the sackings.

There is an aspect of things that no ministerial review at the technical level can sort out, namely how one finds agents to take care of wildlife, whose hearts are with the wildlife, and not in the cash that can be obtained by trading the wildlife, as is now the case. 

Things reached a point where ex-minister Ambassador Khamis Kagasheki was pointing a finger, publicly at the Arusha Regional Crimes Officer, and no one heard that ex-IGP Saidi Mwema came to any conclusions about those accusations. 

Not even the media saw much in the issue, and when he was sacked they were quick to point out that he had differences with the Bukoba mayor. It could be for similar reasons.

Experts point out that one major reason for the higher level of stability of the Serengeti National Park is the role of the Frankfurt Zoological Society, whose vocation is the preservation of nature and protection of wildlife. 

That oversight lacks in other reserves; so if the government really wants to preserve wildlife it must hand over different national parks and game reserves to agencies having a passion for animals, intention to protect them.

They can be qualified as agents of the Tanzania Revenue Authority for all consequent revenue issues. Isn’t that more workable? 
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
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Wounded wildlife officer rues missing poachers, at MOI



By Polycarp Machira
12th January 2014

January 6th night this year will remain memorable for Richard Temu (36), a wildlife officer at Uguge Reserves as he closely failed to achieve what his heart likes most.

The youthful officer, just two weeks before that night, managed to seize a submachine gun (SMG) sixty bullets and four traditional or home-made guns from poachers.

On the fateful night, Richard, who had in the previous day been requested to lead other wildlife officers in operation to arrest poachers failed to achieve this, seeing the poachers just about 150 meters away.

The talented officer broke his left leg when he went into a deep hole while taking cover, plotting ambush on the poachers. He was airlifted to Dar es Salaam and admitted at the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI).

“The whole exercise could not continue after I had the fracture, and the most painful part was seeing the poachers disappear slowly into thin air,” Richard told journalists who visited him Friday.

Narrating the ordeal, he said he was called to join forces with his colleagues after several gunshots were heard in the reserve area. He said they woke up at 4 am in preparation for the attack and by 5 am, they were out for serious exercise.

Richard and five other officers took four hours to trace the poachers and only managed to get close to them at around nine o’clock in the morning and a more serious search ensued.

“We followed them keenly for about 40 more minutes and came closer, at a range of about 150 meters and decided to take cover, knowing that they could be heavily armed,” he said.

The single officer, who just returned from training in an environmental planning management course at the Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP) in Dodoma in September, is not sure whether he will get well enough to go back to his job of ten years.

As he awaits operation on his leg probably on Wednesday, he admits that his job has of late become more dangerous following rampant poaching.

He said, “I love the job, though it is very risky and challenging, making it more difficult for any officer who has had physical impairment to survive there.”

Richard admits that wildlife officers work in a difficult and challenging environment in an effort to save national wildlife which is endangered by illegal hunters and trophy seekers.

The Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu who visited the ailing officer at MOI’s private ward promised government commitment to ensure the officer gets good treatment, wishing him a quick recovery.

He said, “We really feel the pain of young Tanzanians some of whom are killed and others wounded in the hands of poachers. The government will not leave a stone unturned in endeavors to stop the vice.”

This came in just a few minutes after the deputy minister launched elephant census results for 2013 earlier in the day. More incidents have been reported since the government suspended an anti-poaching operation, ‘Tokomeza Ujangili.’

At least 60 elephants have reportedly been killed in various national parks and game reserves after the suspension of the operation to eliminate poachers and their ivory trade financiers from encroaching on the parks.

 “Tokomeza Ujangili” culminated in the sacking of four cabinet ministers after a stormy session in the National Assembly, with the operation having been suspended at the urging of MPs early November.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
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