How should we handle national parks to support tourism?

By Beatrice Philemon

31st December 2013

Elephants at the Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. (File Photo)

Farmers and livestock keepers across the country especially those nearing the national parks are vital components of tourism sector in the country. There is a need of training them on environmental conservation like tree planting and good environmental management…

According to statistics 80 percent of the world’s plants and animals are in forests and therefore once their environment is destroyed there is nothing that would be left in the form of fauna and flora.

Climate Change expert and Advisor of the United Nation Prof Willy R. Makundi said for example that some areas around Kilimanjaro National Park, have been disturbed and has caused effects on animals due to lack of water.

He warns that if people will not take serious measures to prevent deforestation in the area, animals such as elephants, buffaloes , leopards, bushbuck and others would soon disappear.

“Many tourists from different countries in the world are visiting Tanzania to see the natural resources that the country is endowed at Kilimanjaro National Park. However people are shamelessly destroy the environment for timber production and other agricultural activities,” he says.

According to him, Kilimanjaro is a hot spot of biodiversity with abundant fauna and flora estimated to approach 3000 plant species of which 2200 are vascular plant species and 140 mammals.

Mt Kilimanjaro has a rich diversity of ecosystems ranging from alpine to colline, particularly of vegetation types that mainly result from a wide range in altitude and rainfall.

The area provides a range of critical ecosystem services to over one million local inhabitants who depend on it for their livelihoods, as well as to the broader region that depends on water resources originating from Kilimanjaro.

Her ecosystems are subject to wide ranging impacts that may be more directly attributable to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, and which may have far greater significance than the melting of the ice cap itself, the expert says.
He says that right now the mountain has lost over 90 percent of the glacier area in the last century.

“As symbolic as this loss may be, it is unlikely that the melting of the glacier will have a significant effect on the hydrology of Kilimanjaro since only two small rivers originate from the melting glaciers,“ he says.

The glaciers cover only one fifth of one percent of the forest area around the mountain, the source of more than 90 percent of the waters from Kilimanjaro.

Right now Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world so it can truly be regarded as the roof of Africa and right now is a world heritage site, its outstanding features are its three major volcanic centres, Shira in the west, Mawenzi in the East and the snowcapped Kibo in the centre.

The forests of the surrounding national parks are inhabited by elusive elephants and other animals.

A report from the ministry of natural resources and tourism indicates that a total of 400,000 hectares of natural forests are lost each year due to charcoal production, wood fuel, and other domestic uses that cause floods and even climate change experts say.

On the other hand, right now many animals are being killed in various national parks with local communities because they are not educated on the environmental conservation. They do not know the importance of the wildlife and the benefits they have.

As result, there is need for all stakeholders engaged in tourism sector including Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) to involve farmers, pastoralists and other agencies to conserve the environment in the national parks and increase availability of water.

If people will continue to cut trees especially in the national parks, it will be a big problem for animals and people in the future. If there’s no rainfall animals will die.

The severe water shortage is posing a serious threat to animals because many are dying, having to walk long distances looking for water.

“In Manyara region for example, animals are moving from their areas to the residential areas looking for water and food because their environment has been destroyed for timber, charcoal production and agricultural activities,” the expert says.

Bee-keeping is important to the residents of Kilimanjaro as a source of medicine, sugars and supplemental income.

Fires also destroy plants that serve as forage for households as well as herbs for medicinal purposes. The mountainous forest is home to many of such plants. In addition, repeated burning also modifies the nutrient balance as well as structure of soils which affects the consequent vegetation and fauna.

Also the increase in fire intensity on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro has very significant impacts on both the natural and human systems that it sustains.

The most direct impact is a significant decline in water resources. Other impacts include effects on farming and other activity, as well as a loss of biodiversity.
Also in Kilimanjaro there has been a noticeable increase in rural-urban migration especially of the younger generations.

Farming practices and heavy reliance on forest resources have resulted in soil erosion and deforestation which have reduced water retention, increased flooding after rains and reduced water flow between the rains.

These environmental changes complicate living with increased climate variability in the future because reduced or significantly depleted natural resource base is unable to offer the demanded level of livelihood sustenance in times of environmental stress. As is typically the case, the most adversely affected are the poor and disadvantaged groups (women and children) especially those in remote areas and even animals live within Kilimanjaro National Park.

Also evidence of land degradation includes bare ground due to removal of vegetation cover including deforestation, highly eroded land, declining crop yields, cultivation of immediate riverbanks, drying springs and rivers – less water for irrigation furrows, and less natural vegetation (less fodder), drying water sources, and loss of agro-biodiversity in the agricultural landscape. Traditional irrigation systems have partly collapsed, and there is less water for irrigation.

Kilimanjaro is a hot spot of biodiversity with abundant fauna and flora estimated at 3,000 plant species of which 2,200 are vascular plant species and 140 mammals.

Mt. Kilimanjaro has a rich diversity of ecosystems ranging from alpine to colline, particularly of vegetation types that mainly result from a wide range in altitude and rainfall.

“We are just insisting on educating these people to plant trees before cutting them in order to protect the natural populations of plants, animals and endangered species in the village and thus prevent the current unsustainable charcoal production,” According to him if people will continue to cut trees and destroy the environment especially in the national parks especially in Kilimanjaro region where Kilimanjaro National Park is situated will be a big problem for animals in the future.

He said although the forests of the surrounding national parks are inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, bushbuck, the endangered Abbott’s duiker and numerous other small antelopes, primates and rodents, still people are cutting trees for timber production and destroy animal environment.

“National parks preserve environment for a wide range of indigenous plants and wildlife, Parks maintain biodiversity and protect endangered species,” says the Tanzania Touris Board Managing Director Dr Aloyce Nzuki
They provide people with opportunities to learn on natural vegetation and fauna as well as to explore and admire the beauty of diverse environments.

National Parks are also important tourist attractions that stimulate local economies. And many tourists from different countries flock to the parks each year to see the country’s exceptional blend of scenery of wildlife and human culture.

National parks protect the historic buildings in which Tanzania’s history was made. These places are like Independence Hall and other issues relating to historical sites.

An official from an independent consultancy firm Rodrick Lwakatare said that for many years tourism has been the main contributor to the country’s foreign currency and this has helped to lower down the level of dependency on foreign countries grants and loans in financing the annual budgets.

Therefore it is important for each and everyone in the country not only to conserve the national parks and wildlife that we have in Tanzania, but also to make sure that the resources which act as tourists attractions are highly conserved.

Resources in parks and game reserves includes both vegetation and the wildlife this brings to the ecosystem. Ecosystem refers to the interdependence of organisms together with the enrolment that they inhabit and depend on.

It is of high importance to conserve the resources in parks since humans are not self sufficient and so are the animals in parks.

Tourism exist only when and where the tourists attractions are present and so tourism is an economic activity that lower down the level of employment in the country. Thus if the resources in the parks are exploited sustainably then there is the assurance of employment opportunities of today and tomorrow’s generation.

The main issues currently affecting the national parks in Tanzania are funding for conservation and use of motorized vehicles, wildlife management, foreign and local invaders for elephant-poaching, climate change that has been occurred especially at Mt Kilimanjaro and changes in temperature and precipitation has pushed species out of their previous environment.

Presently tourism s considered as a significant part of the economy contributing a great deal to the developing countries and presently most of these developing countries support the tourism industry as they believe that it stimulates their economies.

Tourism is one of the activities that have best withstood the onslaught of the crisis and one of the principal sectors for the creation of wealth and employment in the world, especially in developing countries.

According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) statistics, tourism is the primary sources of foreign earnings for the world’s 49 Least Developed Countries and in some developing countries, notably small island states, tourism can account for over 25 percent of GDP.

In Tanzania tourism is one of Tanzania’s fastest growing economic sectors, with 782,669 arrivals worldwide in 2010, representing a 9 percent increase over 2009 and right now Tanzania tourism continues to show tremendous growth with more visitors flocking in due to the international tourism promotional campaign conducted by Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) and other stakeholders in the travel industry intend to promote Tanzania as a unique tourist destination.

Others include tour operators and their association TATO, hotels, lodges, airlines from Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar including other government institutions includes Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa), Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and Zanzibar Commission for Tourism.

In the US, Tanzania’s number-one source of tourism, tour operators reported a tremendous increase in bookings in 2011, 2012 and for 2013.

The result of this growth is an increased demand for expanding hotel capacity as well as flights, especially to Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is the gateway to the famous icons in the North, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater.

Tourists eager to visit in Tanzania, Tanzanians are warm and friendly. They speak English, which together with Kiswahili are the two official languages. The country is an oasis of peace and stability with a democratically elected and stable government.

Presently Tanzania focuses on wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism, with approximately 28 percent of the land protected by the government, the largest percentage of any country in the world.

Currently it boasts of 15 National Parks and 31 game reserves and it is the home of the highest mountain in Africa, the legendary Mt. Kilimanjaro; The Serengeti National Park, home to the "Great Animal Migration" that was named the New 7th Wonder of the World by USA Today and ABC TV's Good Morning America; the world acclaimed Ngorongoro Crater, often called the 8th Wonder of the World and Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind.

Others include Selous Game Reserve, the world’s largest game reserve; Ruaha National Park, now the second largest National Park in Africa; the spice islands of Zanzibar; and seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Ruaha National Park, is now the second largest National Park in Africa, the Spice Islands of Zanzibar and seventh Unesco World Heritage Sites.
Most important for visitors, the Tanzanian people, with a rich history and diverse blend of cultures, are warm and friendly.

In a bid to reduce deforestation and help animals to live in a conducive environment we can educate people on tree planting campaign in many areas that has been destroyed, try to educate people on the importance of trees in today's environment condition and tell them to plant trees or at least 'replace' them.  

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Ruaha National Park threatened by farming activities

By Gerald Kitabu

31st December 2013

By Gerald Kitabu

31st December 2013

The scenery of great Ruaha River during dry season

If it is true that water is life, then animals at Ruaha National Park are only ‘alive’ during rainy season, the only season they can easily access water from the Great Ruaha River.

This means that lives of the wild animals in the park during dry season are at risk as the Great Ruaha River which is the vital lifeline of the park normally dries.
The Great Ruaha River originates from Mpanda Kipengere Mountains and then gushes into the Usangu wetlands before flowing into the great Ruaha National Park. However, before reaching the park, much of the water is diverted into large scale farms.

Along the river, there are more than 3,000 water users and each user utilises water such that the water that enters the river is not adequate to support animals’ lives down the river in the park.

Animals start competing for the little water resources during which the weaker are killed, with others migrating from the park, according to the former Ruaha park warden, Stephano Qolli.

Those who cannot survive the situation, begin roaming into the nearby Ntungamalenge village in search of water and food.

According to the chairman of Tungamalenga village, in Iringa rural district Greyson Ngwale, whose village is neighbouring the park, during dry season, a herd of up to twenty elephants and other animals opts to go into the village to collect mangoes, banana trunks and water.

“These animals regularly enter the village looking for mangoes, banana trunks and water; so, when we see them we usually report to the game wardens who come to get them back into the park,” said Ngwale.

Ngwale’s claims are echoed by Qolli who said during dry season, the situation is worse and it is during this period when some of them that cannot withstand the drought tend to migrate to other national parks as they look for water.

He said some animals die not only because of lack of water, but because they are being easily killed by their enemies as they scramble for the little water in the river.

“When there is water scarcity, carnivores like the lions tend to hunt and kill other animals like antelopes, giraffes near the river as they compete for the little water,” he said.

He also said that when the river gets dry, it is very dangerous for the animals’ health because when competing for the little water, the rate at which the diseases such as anthrax spreads from one animal to another is very high.

Qolli said big agricultural projects, coupled with a huge number of pastoralists between Mpanda Kipengele Mountains and Usangu valley, diverted much water from entering the Great Ruaha River, which also supplies water to Mtera hydro-electrical dam.

“When the Guardian visited the park, the situation was alarming. The river had been reduced to mud with vividly seen sharp stones owing to a very shallow water level. Where there was some little water desperate hippos and crocodiles reigned in the muddy sludge.”

A senior park warden of Ruaha National Park who preferred anonymity on grounds that she was not a spokesperson told the Guardian that unless agriculture activities which are conducted at the river source prevented animals will continue experiencing drought in the park.

“Kilimo kwanza is good but it should be conducted sustainably in a manner that does not compromise the wild life,” she urged.

“She added that unsustainable Kilimo kwanza being conducted between Mpanda kipengere and Usangu valley is letting us down. This situation is not healthy for our animals and our life altogether.”

She said that apart from unsustainable agriculture, the pastoralists are also to blame as they have degraded the river source especially at the upstream.

Commenting on the environmental degradation, the Director of Lawyers Environmental Action Team (LEAT) Dr Rugemeleza Nshala said that the government needs to have a comprehensive plan to educate the farmers on the importance of environmental management.

“For example, the law requires villagers to farm at a distance of 60 meters from the river and whoever does not comply is doing mistake,” he said.

For his part, the former director of forestry and beekeeping division in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Dr Felician Kilahama, said normally catchment areas, and forests are the ‘lungs’ for the wellbeing of our nation something, which is not properly portrayed in various national policies and decision making machinery.

This is because water catchment areas, forests and woodlands are not a priority compared to other sectors like, agriculture, health, education, energy or infrastructure.

Yet there are strong linkages between forests and water supply, health, energy and agriculture.

“Now it is an opportune time to request Tanzanians to give priority to conservation of forests and wildlife resources for the wellbeing of the nation and sustainable economic growth,” he said.

He adds: The new constitution being formulated should include a section stipulating clearly that about 40 percent of land be reserved for the protection of key forests and wildlife areas.

Such areas should include forest reserves, nature forest reserves, national parks, game reserves, marine parks, marine reserves and critical wetland area of national and international significance.

In other words, the constitution should recognise critical natural resources and ensure that they are managed in perpetuity firstly, for the benefits of Tanzanians and secondly, for meeting needs of global communities for instance, conservation of genetic materials for future research and industrial and medical requirements.

Thus, it is important that the nation should take deliberate efforts to conserve natural forests, wildlife and the entire biodiversity resources especially endemic, near endemic, rare as well as threatened species of flora and fauna as the basis to ensuring sustainable development and contribution to national poverty eradication strategies.

Contacted for comments on the matter, Iringa regional commissioner, Christine Ishengoma said that her region in collaboration with Dodoma and Mbeya are working out plans to make sure that the national park is well conserved.

She said that some of the plans involves sensitizing and educating communities living adjacent to the River to make sure that they conducts their activities in a manner that would not compromise the river and animals in the park.

“Thank you very much for understanding the problems facing our national park. The district commissioners of Iringa and Dodoma have started meeting on this matter. We are also going to involve Mbeya authorities because it is where this Great Ruaha River originates,” she said.

She said those two weeks ago, a team of experts from Rufiji river basin visited her on the matter and after discussions; they went to Mbeya where they held similar discussions with Mbeya authorities.

She said that so far Wild World Fund for nature (WWF) is also working on projects to restore the Great Ruaha River.

According to the WWF website, in 1993 the river dried for three weeks; by 1999 this had risen to three months.

This trend sounds a warning that the level of water use and the management of natural resources is unsustainable and could result in irreparable damage to the environment.

If that were to happen, neither the catchment area nor the river will be able to contribute to the general development of the area.

So, the WWF has embarked on a project that aims at reducing too much dependence on the river by the approximately 3 million people living along the river.

The project involves local communities in water resource management. This includes reducing water withdrawals for irrigation, training farmers in more efficient water use in rice production, and developing alternative water sources.

Also in the list are supporting the development of alternative livelihoods away from water-intensive agriculture to such activities as beekeeping and soap making among many others.

Apart from accommodating big animals such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and lions, Ruaha National Park is also home to rare plants and animals such as the greater kudu (tragelaphus strepsiceros) and lesser kudu (tragelaphus imberbis), but are now threatened by drought as buffaloes and other animals are now migrating from the park in search of food and water. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN 

Swahili international tourism expo slated for Dar next year

 By The guardian reporter

31st December 2013

Tanzania Tourists Board (TTB)

The Tanzania Tourists Board (TTB) has announced new dates for the Swahili International Tourism expo (SITE) to be held in Dar es Salaam late next year.
According to TTB Managing Director Dr Aloyce Nzuki, the expo would be held in Dar es Salaam from October 1 to 4, 2014.

He said due to the overwhelmingly positive response that TTB has received from exhibitors regarding their participation they find they have insufficient time to match the enthusiasm with the required number of visitors and hosted buyers “which indeed form the winning combination to hosting a successful tourism expo.”

TTB has been working with an agency in the US and Australia quite successfully and intends to appoint similar agencies in India, China and Germany within the next 3 months.

The board’s core focus apart from marketing the destination will specifically centre on the recruitment of high calibre hosted buyers that are strategic to East Africa and the development of tourism business, he said, adding that this will most certainly lead to an increased number of hotel occupancy.

“This strategy is on its way to taking legs; however it is nowhere near to delivering on the number of hosted buyers that are required for S!TE 2013m,” he said.

“It is for this reason that the Tanzanian Tourists Board has decided to postpone the expo to October 1 – 4, 2014. It will give all stakeholders sufficient time to deliver on an exhibition which is sure to be hailed as the game changer for tourism within the East African Region in the future,: he added.

Furthermore, he said S!TE has embarked on launching exciting new exhibition offerings at discounted prices between 40 – 60 percent to all new and existing applicants.

In a move to lure more tourists in Tanzania, the government in collaboration with the private sector has recently entered into agreement with diplomats from various embassies to promote Tanzania’s tourist attractions in their respective countries.

The parties reached consensus after approving an international marketing strategy which was presented by TTB and Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT), whose aim was to obtain a helping hand to boost the sector in the next five years.

The diplomats pledged to promote Tanzania as a tourist and exceptional tourist destination in their respective countries.

The embassy representatives were from major tourist source markets for Tanzania that include Italy, Canada, Spain, France, UK, German, the US, The Netherlands, Australia, South Africa, China, Turkey, India, Russia, Brazil and the Gulf countries.

TTB and TCT’s decision to present the international marketing strategy to diplomats stems from the need to bolster collaboration with the embassies so as to woo more tourists from their countries to explore Tanzania by exchanging strategies. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN 

Wabunge wa ujangili wasipotajwa, Bunge halina nia thabiti

“Tusipoendelea na operesheni hii, baada ya miaka michache ijayo hakutakuwa na tembo hata mmoja.
Dar es Salaam. Rais Jakaya Kikwete amesema Operesheni Tokomeza Ujangili iliyositishwa kwa muda kutokana na utekelezaji wake kukumbwa na kasoro na kusababisha mawaziri wake wanne kuwajibika kisiasa, itaendelea baada ya kukamilika kwa matayarisho ya awamu yake ya pili.
Akizungumza katika salamu zake za Mwaka Mpya jana, Rais Kikwete alisema: “Tunakamilisha matayarisho ya kuanza awamu ya pili ya Operesheni Tokomeza. Ni muhimu kuendelea nayo kwani tusipofanya hivyo majangili wataendelea na vitendo vyao viovu.
“Wakati nikilihutubia Bunge Novemba 7, mwaka jana niliagiza ifanyike sensa katika Pori la Hifadhi la Selous. Hali ni mbaya, sensa imekamilika lakini taarifa yake inatisha. Kuna tembo 13,084 tu wakati mwaka 1976 walikuwa na tembo 109,419.”
Rais Kikwete ametoa kauli hiyo ikiwa zimepita siku 12 tangu Kamati ya Bunge ya Ardhi, Maliasili na Mazingira ilipotoa ripoti yake iliyoeleza athari mbalimbali za operesheni hiyo, ikiwa ni pamoja na unyanyasaji, uharibifu wa mali na mauaji ya binadamu na mifugo.
Ripoti hiyo ilisababisha, Rais kutengua uwaziri wa Dk Emmanuel Nchimbi (Mambo ya Ndani), Shamsi Vuai Nahodha (Ulinzi), Dk David Mathayo (Mifugo na Uvuvi) na Balozi Khamis Kagasheki (Maliasili na Utalii), baada ya wizara zao kutajwa kushindwa kusimamia utekelezaji wa operesheni hiyo.
Hata hivyo, Rais alisema mtindo wa mzigo wa makosa ya watumishi wa umma kubebwa na viongozi wa kisiasa pekee, tena wasiokuwa na hatia ya moja kwa moja, siyo sahihi. “Lazima kila mtu abebe mzigo wake inavyostahili. Ni matumaini yangu pia kwamba katika siku za usoni kunapotokea matatizo ya namna hii uchunguzi uwe wa kina ili wale hasa waliohusika na kutenda makosa wawajibishwe.
“Uwajibikaji wa wana-siasa peke yao hautoshi, kwani huwaacha waharibifu waendelee na kazi isivyostahili. Mtindo huu utawafanya watumishi wasione umuhimu wa kutokurudia makosa. Hata hivyo, pale kwenye ushahidi wa wazi kwamba kiongozi wa kisiasa angeweza kuchukua hatua za kuzuia madhara lakini hakufanya hivyo lazima kiongozi huyo awajibike.”
Kuhusu umuhimu wa kuendelea na operesheni hiyo alisema: “Tusipoendelea na operesheni hii, baada ya miaka michache ijayo hakutakuwa na tembo hata mmoja. Zoezi la kuondoa mifugo katika mapori ya hifadhi ya taifa litaendelea na katika awamu ya pili ya operesheni hii, washiriki watasisitizwa kutokutenda maovu yaliyofanyika katika awamu ya kwanza.”
Alisema tangu mwaka 2010 Serikali ilianzisha operesheni mbalimbali kupambana na ujangili wa wanyamapori na uvunaji haramu wa rasilimali za misitu, lakini kutokana na majangili kutumia silaha na mbinu, aliamua kuhusisha vyombo vingine vya ulinzi na usalama na hapo ndipo ilipoanza Operesheni Tokomeza.
“Pamoja na matatizo yake, katika Operesheni Tokomeza tumebaini mitandao ya ujangili na wahusika kadhaa wametiwa nguvuni. Mitandao hiyo inahusisha watu wa aina mbalimbali, wamo raia wa kawaida, watu maarufu, watumishi wa idara mbalimbali za Serikali wakiwamo wa Idara za Wanyamapori na Misitu,” alisema.
Alisema katika operesheni hiyo watu 1,030 walikamatwa pamoja na silaha za kijeshi 18, za kiraia 1,579 na shehena kubwa za meno ya tembo na nyara mbalimbali.
“Niliagiza operesheni hii isitishwe na uchunguzi ufanyike kubaini kasoro zake sambamba na waliofanya makosa wachukuliwe hatua. Wakati suala hilo likiendelea, Bunge likaunda kamati na matokeo yake mliyaona, mawaziri wanne wamewajibika kisiasa,” alisema Rais Kikwete.
Rais Kikwete aliwapa pole mawaziri hao na kuwapongeza kwa uamuzi wa kukubali kuwajibika kwa makosa yaliyofanywa na maofisa wa chini yao, “Wameonyesha ukomavu wa kisiasa na moyo wa uzalendo.”
Dawa za kulevya
Akizungumzia dawa za kulevya, Rais Kikwete alisema kati Januari na Desemba 2013, kilo 1,261 za heroin, kilo tatu za cocaine na kilo 89,293 za bangi zilikamatwa na watuhumiwa 1,631 kutiwa mbaroni.
“Tupo hatua nzuri katika matayarisho ya kuanzisha Kikosi Maalumu cha Kupambana na Dawa za Kulevya katika mwaka wa fedha 2014/15. Pia tutaitazama upya sheria ya adhabu kwa makosa ya kufanya biashara ya dawa za kulevya ili kuifanya iwe na meno makali zaidi,” alisema.
Akizungumzia usalama wa nchi alisema mwaka 2013 umemalizika bila kuwa na matukio yoyote mabaya na kwamba hata uhusiano wa Tanzania na nchi jirani unaendekea kuwa mzuri.
Pia aligusia suala la ujambazi na kueleza kuwa mwaka 2013 matukio ya ujambazi yalipungua ikilinganishwa na mwaka 2012… “Takwimu zinathibitisha ukweli huo, mwaka 2012 matukio ya ujambazi yaliyoripotiwa yalikuwa 6,872 na kwa mwaka 2013 yameripotiwa matukio 6,409.”
Katiba
Kuhusu Katiba, Rais Kikwete alisema uteuzi wa wajumbe 201 wa Bunge Maalumu la Katiba utakuwa umekamilia mwishoni mwa mwezi huu na kwamba baada ya hapo Bunge hilo litaanza.
“Iwapo Rasimu ya pili ya Katiba itakubaliwa na wananchi, hapo tutakuwa tumepata Katiba Mpya. Lakini, iwapo Rasimu itakataliwa ina maana kuwa Katiba ya sasa itaendelea kutumika mpaka hapo mchakato mwingine utakapoanzishwa na Katiba Mpya kupatikana,” alisema.
Akizungumzia Pato la Taifa, alisema limekua kwa asilimia 7.1 ukilinganisha na asilimia 6.9 mwaka jana.
Pato la Taifa
“Tunategemea kuwa mwaka 2014 Pato la Taifa litakua kwa asilimia 7.3. Mfumuko wa bei umeshuka kutoka asilimia 12.1, Desemba, 2012 hadi asilimia 6.2, Novemba 2013. Lengo letu ni kufikia asilimia 5 mwezi Juni, 2014” alisema.
Alisema hadi Novemba, 2013, Tanzania ilikuwa imeuza nje bidhaa na huduma zenye thamani ya Dola za Marekani milioni 7,720.8 

Wawili wadaiwa kutelekeza begi la pembe za Tembo

Na Mussa Mwangoka, Mwananchi

Posted  Alhamisi,Januari2  2014  saa 10:37 AM

Kwa ufupi

• Kamanda wa Polisi Mkoa wa Katavi, Dhahiri Kidavashari alisema tukio hilo lilitokea Desemba 24, mwaka jana  saa 2:30 usiku Kijiji cha Kabungu, barabara  inayotoka Mpanda kuelekea mkoani Kigoma.

Sumbawanga. Watu wawili wanaosadikiwa ni majangili wametelekeza  begi  moja likiwa na vipande saba vya pembe za Tembo,  vyenye uzito wa kilo 19 vikiwa na  thamani ya zaidi ya Sh45 milioni.

Kamanda wa Polisi Mkoa wa Katavi, Dhahiri Kidavashari alisema tukio hilo lilitokea Desemba 24, mwaka jana  saa 2:30 usiku Kijiji cha Kabungu, barabara  inayotoka Mpanda kuelekea mkoani Kigoma.

Kidavashari alisema siku  ya tukio polisi waliokuwa  doria waliwaona watu hao wakiwa wamepakia beji kubwa jeusi  kwenye pikipiki aina ya SanLg, waliwatilia mashaka watu hao na kuanza kufuatilia nyendo zao.

Alisema wakati wakifuatilia  walipata taarifa za raia wema kwamba, watu hao walikuwa na nyara za Serikali kinyume cha sheria hivyo jitihada za kuwanasa zilianza kwa kuandaa mtego.

Kidavashari alisema polisi waliokuwa wameandaa mtego wa kuwakamata, watuhumiwa waliposimamishwa waligoma.

Alisema hali iliyolazimu polisi kuanza kuwafukuza, walipogundua wanafuatwa na askari waliacha  njia na kuingia kwenye kichaka na kutoweka huku wakitelekeza  begi jeusi ambalo lilikuwa na vipande hivyo vya pembe za Tembo na  pikipiki waliyokuwa wakitumia.

Kamanda Kidavashari alisema  baada ya polisi kufanya upekuzi  kwenye beji hilo, walikuta vipande saba vya pembe za Tembo vyenye uzito wa kilo 19 vya thamani hiyo ya fedha.

TEMBO WAZIDI KUTEKETEA

JAMHURI YA MUUNGANO WA TANZANIA

WIZARA YA MALIASILI NA UTALII 

TAARIFA KWA UMMA

Itakumbukwa kuwa Serikali iliamua kuanzisha “Operesheni Tokomeza Ujangili” kufuatia kukithiri kwa vitendo vya ujangili katika maeneo yote yaliyotengwa kisheria kama Mapori ya Akiba; Hifadhi za Taifa na Hifadhi za Misitu katika miaka ya karibuni. Hata hivyo, Serikali iliamua kusitisha operesheni hiyo kwa muda.

Kufuatia kusitishwa kwa Operesheni Tokomeza, matukio ya uvunjaji wa sheria za hifadhi kama vile uingizaji holela wa mifugo katika maeneo ya hifadhi; ujangili wa tembo pamoja na uvunaji wa miti katika hifadhi za misitu yanaonekana kushamiri. Aidha, kumekuwa na ongezeko la kuvamiwa watumishi wa Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii na hata kuwasababisha madhara yakiwemo vifo na majeraha. Baadhi ya matukio hayo ni pamoja na:

·        Majangili kuua takriban tembo 60 katika Hifadhi/Mapori ya Selous, Rungwa, Burigi na Katavi na Ngorongoro. Hawa ni takriban tembo wawili kwa siku. Ikumbukwe kuwa wakati wa kipindi chote cha operesheni kilichodumu kwa mwezi mmoja ni tembo wawili tu waliokuwa wameuawa.  

·        Watumishi wa Pori la Akiba Mkungunero (Kondoa) waliokuwa doria kuvamiwa na kundi la watu wapatao 80 waliokuwa na mikuki na silaha nyingine za jadi  tarehe  24 Desemba, 2013.

·        Kuuawa kwa Askari mmoja wa wanyamapori aliyejulikana kwa jina la Ramadhani Magengere (40) na mwingine, Bwana Yahaya Ramadhani (34), kujeruhiwa vibaya na Wafugaji walioingiza mifugo ndani ya Hifadhi ya Wanyamapori ya Jumuiya (WMA) Ukutu (au JUKUMU) iliyoko Morogoro vijijini tarehe 6 Decemba, 2013.

·        Mtumishi mmoja wa wanyamapori, Sajidi Majidi, kujeruhiwa kwa kuchomwa mkuki kichwani na kuvunjwa mkono na wafugaji walioingiza ng’ombe katika Eneo la Ramsar la Kilombero tarehe 14 Novemba, 2013.

·        Kukamatwa kwa gari lililokuwa na mizoga 20 ya swala wilayani Simanjiro siku za karibuni

·        Kuanzishwa kwa kambi ya majangili katika Pori la Akiba Burigi ambapo vitendo vya ujangili vinaendeshwa. Majangili waliokuwa na silaha za moto walikimbia na kuacha nyuma nyani 30 waliokuwa wamewaua baada ya kukurupushwa na askari wa wanyamapori.

·        Kuongezeka wimbi la uvamizi na ufugaji wa mifugo ndani ya mapori ya akiba na hifadhi za misitu iliyopo magharibi mwa nchi yetu, hasa Burigi-Biharamulo-Kimisi, malagarasi-Moyowosi, Rukwa Lukwati, Luwanda, Ugalla, Ibanda-Rumanyika, Minziro na Katavi.

Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii inapenda kuwakumbusha wananchi kuwa kwa mujibu wa Sheria ya Wanyamapori Na. 5 ya mwaka 2009 pamoja na Sheria zinazosimamia maeneo ya Hifadhi za Taifa na Misitu kuwa hairuhusiwi wananchi kuingia katika maeneo haya bila kibali ikiwa ni pamoja na uingizaji wa mifugo kwa ajili malisho. Aidha, bado vitendo vya ujangili haviruhusiwi chini ya sheria hizi. Kifungu cha 15 ni marufuku mtu yeyote kuingia kwenye pori la akiba bila kibali.  Aidha, Sheria hiyo inakataza kuwa na silaha yoyote ndani ya Pori la Akiba bila kibali cha Mkurugenzi wa Wanyamapori [kifungu cha 17]; kuwinda, kuua, kukamata au kujeruhi mnyama [Kifungu cha 19] na kuchunga ng’ombe ndani ya Pori la Akiba [Kifungu cha 21].

Ikumbukwe kuwa matukio yaliyotokea bungeni Dodoma, hayajatengua Sheria yoyote ya Wanyamapori au Misitu.  Hamna maamuzi yoyote ya Bunge yaliyohalalisha ukiukwaji wa Sheria za Uhifadhi. Hivyo, wananchi wanatakiwa kutii na kufuata Sheria hizo kama zilivyo. Tahadhari inatolewa kuwa Serikali haitasita kumchukulia hatua kali yeyote atakayekiuka Sheria ya Wanyamapori kwa makusudi. Tunawaomba wananchi wasikubali kudanganywa na mtu yeyote yule kuvunja Sheria za nchi.

Aidha, nachukua nafasi hii kuwaagiza watumishi wote wa Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii wahakikishe kuwa wanaendelea kutekeleza majukumu yao ya ulinzi wa maeneo ya Hifadhi za Taifa, Mapori ya Akiba na Misitu ya Hifadhi bila kutetereka. Sanjari na hilo wasisite kuchukua hatua stahiki dhidi ya mhalifu yeyote mradi tu wanazingatia Sheria, Kanuni na taratibu.  Utekelezaji huu wa sheria ufanyike bila kuathiri haki za msingi za binadamu.

Serikali ina maadili na miiko inayotawala utendaji kazi wa watumishi wake wote wakiwemo wale wa maliasili. Wizara ya Maliasili itaendelea kuwakumbusha watumishi wake juu ya maadili na miiko hii kupitia mafunzo ya mara kwa mara na mbinu nyingine. Aidha, Wizara itaendelea kuboresha miongozo inayohusu maadili na miiko hii ili iweze kuendana na wakati.

Mwisho, Serikali inasisitiza kuwa, kwa kutumia vyombo vyake, itaendelea kutekeleza majukumu yake na kusimamia ipasavyo Sheria ikiwa ni pamoja na kuchukua hatua kali dhidi ya yeyote atakayeshiriki moja kwa moja au kusaidia vitendo vya ujangili ili kunusuru rasilimali za Taifa. Jukumu la uhifadhi wa maliasili zetu liko pale pale, ni letu na lazima litekelezwe kwa manufaa ya kizazi hiki na vizazi vijavyo.

Imetolewa na:

Mh. Lazaro Nyalandu, MB.

NAIBU WAZIRI, MALIASILI NA UTALII

Desemba 29, 2013.

Mapigano wakulima, wafugaji yaua wanane

Na Augusta Njoji

30th December 2013

Hali si shwari katika Wilaya Kiteto mkoani Manyara kufuatia kuzuka kwa mapigano baina ya wakulima na wafugaji na kusababisha vifo na majeruhi.

Kufuatia hali hiyo, Chama cha Wakulima na Wafugaji wilayani Kiteto (Chawaki), jana kiliitisha mkutano kujadili mapigano hayo na kusaka suluhu.

Baada ya mkutano huo kuanza, zilizuka vurugu huku wafugaji jamii ya Kimasai wakiwapinga viongozi wa chama hicho na kumlazimu Mkuu wa Kituo cha Polisi wa wilaya hiyo, Foka Dinya, kuuvunja mkutano huo kwa madai kuwa kuna hali ya uvunjifu wa amani.

NIPASHE ilishuhudia vurugu hizo ambazo chanzo chake ni kugombea eneo la hifadhi ya Mbuga ya Embloi Murtangosi na polisi kufyatua mabomu ya kutoa machozi kuwatawanya.

Wakizungumza kwa nyakati tofauti, wakazi hao pia walilalamikia kunyanyasika huku wakimtuhumu Mbunge wao, Benedict Ole Nangoro, ambaye pia ni Naibu Waziri wa Maendeleo ya Mifugo na Uvuvi kwa madai kuwa amekuwa akichochea vurugu hizo kwa kuwabagua wakulima.

Walidai kuwa tangu Desemba 16, mwaka huu, vurugu hizo zimesababisha watu watano kupoteza maisha na wengine 10 kujeruhiwa.

Mmoja wakulima hao, Ramadhani Machaku, alidai kuwa wanasikitishwa kuwapo kwa vitendo hivyo na maisha yao yapo hatarini, lakini hakuna hata kiongozi mmoja ambaye amejitokeza kutafuta suluhu.

Alidai kuwa watu wanachinjwa kama kuku na kupoteza maisha yao na wafugaji kwa kuwavamia usiku wakiwa wamelala huku serikali mkoani humo ikiwataka wakulima kuondoka katika eneo la hifadhi, hatua ambayo alidai haiwatendei haki.

“Mpaka sasa hatuelewi hatma yetu licha ya uongozi wetu kuwapo hapa, hatuelewi wanafanya nini, lakini jambo moja nasema hivi hatutaondoka katika maeneo haya hadi kieleweke kwani kilimo ndicho kinachotusaidia kuishi,” alisema Machaku.

Naye dada wa mmoja wa marehemu ambaye aliuawa na katika mgogoro huo, Sada Ally, alisema kuwa mdogo wake alichomwa mkuki tumboni wakampeleka Hospitali ya Rufaa ya Mkoa wa Dodoma, lakini alifariki dunia wakati akipata matibabu.

“Mgogoro huu ni wa wakulima na wafugaji, wafugaji wamekuwa hawataki wakulima walime, bali wao wachunge mifugo, hali hii imesababisha mdogo wangu apoteze maisha mpaka sasa,” alisema.

Aliongeza: “Serikali naomba itusaidie jamani wakulima wanateseka Kiteto, wakulima hawana mtu wa kuwaangalia, viongozi wao wote wa Kiteto ni Wamasai, hivyo wanakuwa upande wa wafugaji moja kwa moja na hawawasikilizi wakulima,” alidai Sada.

Msemaji wa Chawaki, Hassan Losioki, alisema kuwa tamko la chama hicho ni kuitaka Serikali irejeshe ardhi vijijini kwa mujibu wa Sheria namba nne na tano ya Mwaka 1999 ili wananchi wafanye maamuzi ya matumizi ya ardhi wao wenyewe.

Pia Losioki alimuomba Rais Jakaya Kikwete, aingilie kati mgogoro huo ambao ni wa muda mrefu takribani miaka minane sasa.

“Mgogoro huu umekuwa ni wa muda mrefu kwani umedumu kwa miaka minane sasa ambapo kila mwaka kumekuwapo na mauaji ya watu hasa unapofika msimu wa kilimo, “ alisema Hassan.
Hata hivyo, alisema kuwa vijiji vitano kati ya saba vilivyopo katika hifadhi hiyo vya Nati, Emaliti, Engusilisidani, Lotepesi na Kimana, vimejitoa katika hifadhi hiyo kupitia mikutano halali ya serikali za vijiji husika.
Mkuu wa Polisi wa wilaya hiyo, OCD Foka Dinya, alithibitisha kuwa hali si shwari Kiteto na kwamba wanawatafuta wanaohusika na mauaji.

“Mimi siwezi kuzungumzia mauaji yalitotokea kuanzia tarehe 16 mwezi huu nilikuwa likizo, ninachojua ni mfugaji mmoja aliyeuawa ambaye alizikwa jana nikiwa tayari nimerudi kazini,” alisema na kuongeza:

“Hata hivyo, sitazungumza sana kwani mimi si msemaji wa Jeshi la Polisi mkoani kwetu…Leo (jana), kuna watu wawili ambao wamejeruhiwa katika vurugu hizi na wamepelekwa hospitali na polisi bado wanaendelea na doria kutokana na hali kutokuwa shwari.”

Akijibu tuhuma hizo, Ole Nangoro alisema kuwa hahusiki na uchochezi wa vurugu hizo na kufafanua kuwa hifadhi ya Embloi Murtangosi imesajiliwa kama hifadhi ya kijamii.

“Na ipo katika vijiji saba vya Wilaya ya Kiteto, wananchi wa eneo hilo walisema wataitumia ardhi hiyo watu 133,000 kwa ajili ya hifadhi ya jamii na baadaye eneo hilo lilivamiwa na watu wengi toka nje ya wilaya hiyo,” alisema.

“Kwa mwaka 2003, 2004 na 2006 waliondolewa, mwaka 2007 watu 50 walikwenda Kiteto Mahakama ya Ardhi kufungua kesi dhidi ya Halmashauri wakashinda na baadaye halmashauri ilikata rufaa na ikashinda, hivyo mahakama ikamteua `court broker' aliyesimamia uendeshaji wa kuwaondoa watu waliovamia katika eneo hilo,” alisema Naibu Waziri huyo.

Alibainisha kuwa mgogoro huo unachochewa na wale wanaopingana na sheria.
Kuhusu madai ya kuwapo kundi la Wamasai katika boma lake lililopo eneo la Olpopong’i ambao wanatuhumiwa kuhusika na mauaji na wamekodiwa kutoka Kenya, Ole Nangoro alisema vyombo vya dola viende kuwatafuta nyumbani kwake na wawakamate lakini akasisitiza kuwa hakuna kitu kama hicho.