The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Dr. Pindi Chana (MP), has officially inaugurated a stakeholder seminar focused on strengthening wildlife conservation strategies to tackle the growing challenge of dangerous and destructive wildlife.
The seminar, held in Wanging’ombe District, Njombe Region, also centered on the establishment and effective management of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).
Speaking on April 14, 2025, at the Wanging’ombe District Council Hall, Minister Chana said the seminar forms part of the Ministry’s wider efforts to support the vision of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, in advancing tourism through sustainable conservation practices.
“The government continues to promote community involvement in wildlife and environmental conservation by encouraging the creation of Wildlife Management Areas and safeguarding key wildlife corridors. These WMAs have not only enhanced individual livelihoods but have also contributed to village-level development projects,” said Dr. Chana.
She explained that WMAs have particularly spurred economic growth through investments in photographic and game hunting tourism two sub-sectors that are increasingly generating income for member communities.
“In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the government disbursed approximately TZS 13.2 billion to beneficiaries, including WMAs involved in tourism. We are confident that the funds were utilized in line with WMA regulations to implement local development initiatives,” she added.
Dr. Chana also expressed concern over the increased encroachment of wildlife corridors, which has escalated human-wildlife conflict, particularly involving elephants, leading to property damage and fear among communities.
“To counter this, the Ministry has undertaken various interventions, including coordinated patrols in partnership with our institutions TAWA, TANAPA, and the Wanging’ombe District Council. We are also leveraging technology such as bee drones, GPS satellite collars, and non-lethal explosives, while raising public awareness on ways to manage wildlife threats,” she explained.
She further noted that the Ministry has trained 170 instructors on human-wildlife conflict mitigation techniques, including five from Wanging’ombe.
Additionally, 122 wildlife officers from councils including Wanging’ombe, Makete, Makambako, Ludewa, Njombe DC, and Njombe TC have received capacity-building training.
To strengthen community-level conservation, the government is also preparing youth to become Village Game Scouts (VGS).
In the first phase, 100 young people including 30 from the aforementioned councils will undergo specialized training from April 17 to May 16, 2025, at the Ministry’s Likuyu Sekamaganga Training Institute in Ruvuma Region.
In a related development, Dr. Chana announced that the Ministry has constructed 18 crocodile and hippopotamus control cages across the country, including two in Ludewa District, to safeguard residents from wildlife attacks in areas where people depend on river water for daily use.
Earlier, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, CP Benedict Wakulyamba, who welcomed the guest of honor, highlighted the ecological significance of Wanging’ombe.
He noted that the district hosts the Umemarua Wildlife Management Area, a critical corridor linking Ruaha National Park and Mpanga-Kipengele Game Reserve.
“In the 2024/2025 budget year, the Ministry is committed to further building the capacity of stakeholders on the management of WMAs, protection of wildlife corridors, and strategies to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Today’s seminar is a step toward ensuring unified conservation efforts in Wanging’ombe,” said CP Wakulyamba.
The seminar was attended by the Wanging’ombe District Commissioner, Zakaria Mwansasu; District Executive Director, Ms. Veronoca Sanga; the District Council Chairperson; CCM District Secretary; a representative from the Wildlife Division, Ms. Anthonia Raphael; officials from the Njombe Regional Commissioner’s Office; Assistant Commissioners from TAWA, TANAPA, and TFS; technical experts from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism; conservation stakeholders from across Wanging’ombe wards; leaders of the Umemarua WMA; as well as village chairpersons and executive officers.