Govt set to reopen blocked wildlife corridors, inks USD14 million pact

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INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY

Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu

The government is to re-open closed wildlife corridors across the country,  the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu announced yesterday.

 

He was speaking in the northern tourist hub city of Arusha during the official launch of a project dubbed ‘Promoting Tanzania’s Environment, Conservation and Tourism (PROTECT).’

 

 “We are coming up with a special programme to reopen all wildlife corridors across the country,” he announced.

“ We are reopening the corridors to address the danger to wildlife posed by human induced activities and private developers,” the minister said.

 

He underscored the importance of ensuring wildlife corridors are well conserved in efforts to maintain ecological and genetic connectivity in these times of unprecedented habitat fragmentation, he said.

 

“In recent years major wildlife corridors have been under great threat,” the minister admitted.

 

Nyalandu said PROTECT is aimed at improving the country’s conservation capacity as well as combating wildlife poaching and trafficking.

“The project will have policies and institutions that effectively manage wildlife resources and enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement,” he detailed.

 

This would result in the arrest and prosecution of poachers and wildlife traffickers, he said, and it will encourage cooperation between the civil society and the government, he added.

 

Nyalandu had earlier signed a contract with the US ambassador to Tanzania, Mark Childress, for the US$14 million five-year project.

 

Supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), it will be carried out by the US-based firm Engility Corporation. 

 

The launch took place in the Randilen Wildlife Management Area (WMA) adjacent to the Tarangire National Park and is expected to boost the war against wildlife poaching in the northern part of Tanzania.

 

US envoy to Tanzania, Ambassador Childress said in the short-term, PROTECT will respond to the immediate poaching crisis. 

 

“At the same time it will lay the ground work for long term successes in the fight against wildlife trafficking as well as conservation of wildlife and biodiversity,” he added.

 

He said the project will also provide support to WMAs by enhancing local expertise and improving the ability of communities to manage resources. 

“Small grants totaling US$2,75 million will be disbursed over the five years of the project,” he detailed.

 

He said these grants will promote innovative solutions for improved wildlife management, strengthen key partners in their ability to carry out their conservation mandate and provide incentives for private investment in nature-based enterprises.

 

Ambassador Childress also announced that the “Endangered Ecosystem Northern Tanzania Project” will be officially launched later this year.

 

He said the project will provide over US$14 million over five years to boost anti-poaching activities. It will also provide direct support to WMAs, communities and tourism operations for improved wildlife management in northern Tanzania, he added.