The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Hassan Abbasi, has said that equipment worth over Shs. 1 billion handed over to the Tanzania Forest Service (TFS) will help increase efficiency in protecting forests and addressing the challenges of climate change.
Speaking at a handover ceremony held on September 11, 2025 at the WWF (TCO) offices in Dar es Salaam, Dr. Abbasi said that the support from the European Union through the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) demonstrates international solidarity in protecting forest resources and the environment.
“I commend the European Union and all stakeholders for this contribution. These equipment will contribute not only to strengthening forest management systems, but also to supporting key sectors such as energy, water and the environment, which all depend on forests”, he said.
Forest Degradation Reduction Project.
The equipment has been delivered through the Integrated Approach to Sustainable Cooking Solution (IASCS) project, which is being implemented from 2023 to 2026 in the seven regions of Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Dodoma, Mwanza, Tabora, Tanga and Coast.
The project aims to reduce forest degradation by promoting the use of clean energy for urban cooking and improving forest management systems.
According to a statement issued by Mr. Savinus Kessy, Head of the Energy and Climate Change Program – WWF, the project is being implemented with a budget of 2.5 million Euros and involves various stakeholders including the Community Network for Forest Management in Tanzania (MJUMITA), Mpingo Conservation & Development Initiative (MCDI) and Lawyers’ Environmental Action Team (LEAT).
Value and equipment provided
The equipment provided to TFS includes 4 vehicles, 10 motorcycles, 1 speedboat, 25 point of sale (POS) machines, 2 radio communication systems, 5 desktop computers, 5 generators, 5 cameras, and other office furniture and equipment. The value of the equipment is Euro 346,852.65 equivalent to 1.01 billion shillings.
Testimony from leaders
The TFS Forest Conservation Commissioner, Prof. Dos Santos Silayo, said the support will increase the effectiveness of TFS staff in protecting forests and providing extension services to communities surrounding the reserve.
The Acting Director of the Forestry and Beekeeping Department, Mr. Daniel Pancras, said the equipment will help strengthen community forest management and increase its contribution to economic and social development.
WWF Tanzania Resident Director, Dr. Amani Ngusaro, said the support is a testament to the commitment of development partners to support government efforts in forest conservation and improving the lives of citizens.
The Government’s statement called on TFS staff to ensure that the equipment is maintained and used for its intended purposes to strengthen sustainable forest management and bring positive results to the nation.
