1. Of recent times there has been some struggle from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements trying to secure 200 plots from within Kazimzumbwi forest reserve area. It is amazing to see such thing happening when the world is trying hard to see forests and woodlands becoming one of the major
factors to enhance climate and see the world becoming a better place to live for the present and future generation.
2. Kazimzumbwi was gazetted in 1954 when some us were still young and many others not yet born. The colonialists of that time found it a valuable area and decided to put under legal protection. Surprisingly enough we the rulers of today we do not see that value but we want to see houses within the area. For the past few months we too deliberate efforts: the MNRT in collaboration with the regional and districts (Ilala
& Kisarawe) leaders as with the support of the Regional and districts Security Committees, managed to remove encroachers from the legally protected area. Now with the MHHS move to put 200 plots into the areas and moving fast to alter the forest boundary for that sake is indeed an act that cannot be accept in
the context of good governance and respect of law.
3. We need Kazimzumbwi forest now more than ever before. Climate is impacting on us thus forests are urgently needed to help sequester CO2 from the atmosphere and become important carbon sinks. Adding more and more houses in the area means trouble to DSM dwellers as already they are feeling
negative impacts of climate change, which is fuelled by high concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere. Why 200 plots there and not somewhere else? There plenty of unreserved areas around DSM and in the coast region then why Kazimzumbwi forest, which was gazetted in 1954 when the population of DSM was quite low? One must remember that the purpose of gazetting Kazimzumbwi forest was not to reserve an area for
future plots but to protect the catchment area for the rivers such as mpiji, Msimbazi and others whose sources are within the water catchment forest of Pugu and Kazimzumbwi.
4. What is being done to alter the boundary without even bothering its original status or seeking our endorsement is an outrageous behavior by a few greedy individuals in the system of government and want to cause unnecessary outcry. The purpose of bring this issue to your attention is to help me initiate a public debate or dialogue on this aspect. I trust through the mediate we can reverse unwanted decisions and outrageous actions that favor a few individuals to take advantage over the majority. Kazimzumbwi forest is for the majority and not for the few individuals hence we need to see more trees alive than being dead. Miti mingi na wala siyo nyumba nyingi.
5.
The government efforts to secure conservation of Kazimzumbwi forest are being supported by the government of Norway through the Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST). In that context WCST is operating as a government partners in ensuring that Kazimzumbwi is well restored and managed for the benefits of Tanzanians and global communities as far as climate change is concerned.
factors to enhance climate and see the world becoming a better place to live for the present and future generation.
2. Kazimzumbwi was gazetted in 1954 when some us were still young and many others not yet born. The colonialists of that time found it a valuable area and decided to put under legal protection. Surprisingly enough we the rulers of today we do not see that value but we want to see houses within the area. For the past few months we too deliberate efforts: the MNRT in collaboration with the regional and districts (Ilala
& Kisarawe) leaders as with the support of the Regional and districts Security Committees, managed to remove encroachers from the legally protected area. Now with the MHHS move to put 200 plots into the areas and moving fast to alter the forest boundary for that sake is indeed an act that cannot be accept in
the context of good governance and respect of law.
3. We need Kazimzumbwi forest now more than ever before. Climate is impacting on us thus forests are urgently needed to help sequester CO2 from the atmosphere and become important carbon sinks. Adding more and more houses in the area means trouble to DSM dwellers as already they are feeling
negative impacts of climate change, which is fuelled by high concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere. Why 200 plots there and not somewhere else? There plenty of unreserved areas around DSM and in the coast region then why Kazimzumbwi forest, which was gazetted in 1954 when the population of DSM was quite low? One must remember that the purpose of gazetting Kazimzumbwi forest was not to reserve an area for
future plots but to protect the catchment area for the rivers such as mpiji, Msimbazi and others whose sources are within the water catchment forest of Pugu and Kazimzumbwi.
4. What is being done to alter the boundary without even bothering its original status or seeking our endorsement is an outrageous behavior by a few greedy individuals in the system of government and want to cause unnecessary outcry. The purpose of bring this issue to your attention is to help me initiate a public debate or dialogue on this aspect. I trust through the mediate we can reverse unwanted decisions and outrageous actions that favor a few individuals to take advantage over the majority. Kazimzumbwi forest is for the majority and not for the few individuals hence we need to see more trees alive than being dead. Miti mingi na wala siyo nyumba nyingi.
5.
The government efforts to secure conservation of Kazimzumbwi forest are being supported by the government of Norway through the Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST). In that context WCST is operating as a government partners in ensuring that Kazimzumbwi is well restored and managed for the benefits of Tanzanians and global communities as far as climate change is concerned.
You can obtain details on this saga by contacting the Kisarawe DC Mrs. Khanifa Karamagi who is also bitter about the frustrating acts and conducts from the officials in the Ministry of LHHS. The entire leaders in the Coast Region including the RC are not happy about this move and we need to see it stopped immediately.
Dr. Felician Kilahama
Mkurugenzi wa Misitu na Nyuki
Mkurugenzi wa Misitu na Nyuki
0 comments:
Post a Comment