Iringa: The Tanzania Forest Service (TFS) has received two new Toyota Land Cruisers worth Sh323 million from the Southern Tanzania Elephant Program (STEP), at a ceremony held this morning at the STEP offices in Wilolesi, Iringa region.
The handover is part of the implementation of the Udzungwa Landscape Strategy (ULS) which aims to increase protection, patrolling and monitoring in the Udzungwa and Kilombero Nature Reserves—areas with rare biodiversity and important water sources for the Mwalimu Nyerere Dam.
Speaking on behalf of the Conservation Commissioner, Prof. Dos Santos Silayo, Acting Director of TFS Resource Management and the Assistant Commissioner for Conservation, Dr. Zainabu Bungwa, said the assistance will improve the ability of staff to reach remote areas quickly and strengthen patrols against encroachment and illegal logging.
“TFS values the partnership between STEP and other stakeholders. We ensure that these vehicles are used for their intended purpose and with proper care,” he said.
STEP Executive Director, Frank Lihwa, said the vehicle support follows conservation efforts that began in 2016/17, including training for Village Natural Resource Committees (VNRCs), Wildlife Village Guards (VGS), forest rangers, as well as the provision of drones, cameras and communication equipment.
“These vehicles will increase patrol efficiency and give us the ability to monitor threats in a timely manner,” said Lihwa.
Presenting Prof. Silayo’s speech, Dr. Bungwa explained that despite the importance of the Udzungwa forests as a biodiversity hotspot and water source, they still face challenges of encroachment, illegal logging and poaching.
The ULS is being implemented jointly by STEP, MACCO, TFS and TANAPA, with funding from the Hempel Foundation and the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation, as a 20-year plan aimed at strengthening forest protection, community participation and biodiversity conservation.
TFS has called on stakeholders to step up efforts in other areas threatened by degradation, including the Rungwe, Kalambo, Njombe and Mbeya forests.
“We thank President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for being a leader in promoting conservation,” the speech said.
