Francis Barnabas
Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism provided over 399m/- last year to console 1,658 citizens affected by destructive wildlife in Nachingwea District, Lindi Region.
Nachingwea District Commissioner, Mohamed Hassan Moyo, shared details in a recent press meeting about Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA)’s initiatives to tackle issues caused by destructive wildlife in the area.
“The government, through its mechanism, has identified about 1,658 victims in Nachingwea District. Under the strong leadership of President Samia Suluhu, the government disbursed the funds last year to assist those affected, ensuring that each eligible individual received the necessary support,” expressed the DC. DC Moyo also acknowledged the persistent issue of aggressive wildlife, particularly elephants, causing damage to property and threatening lives in the area.
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In response to these challenges, he commended the ongoing educational programmes conducted by TAWA and the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) to empower citizens with effective strategies for managing wildlife encounters.
“TAWA has taken a lot of proactive measures, and I have also been participating in some, for instance, in the use of helicopters to deter elephants and the establishment of soldier stations to address wildlife emergencies,” noted the DC.
Providing insight into TAWA’s initiatives to tackle the threats from hazardous and harmful wildlife in the Southern corridors, Chief Conservationist of the Operations Division Unit, Linus Chuwa, highlighted that TAWA has established 10 permanent stations for soldiers to manage wildlife issues, with an additional five set up temporarily, especially during periods of increased wildlife activity.
He mentioned that TAWA successfully acquired a new truck for the station’s soldiers stationed at the Malola station. Moreover, the organization bought specialized drones specifically designed to deter elephants, which were reportedly used last year with some degree of success.
He mentioned that other initiatives undertaken by TAWA in partnership with stakeholders involve fitting GPS and GSM tracking devices on the necks of three elephants to monitor their movements and prevent them from reaching human settlements.
Mr. Chuwa further stated that TAWA has dispatched 41 Village Game Scouts (VGS) to the Community Based Conservation Training Centre (CBCTC) -Likuyu Sekamaganga for training in handling aggressive and destructive wildlife. He confirmed the utilization of these VGS in various wildlife control activities.
On the other hand, TAWA’s Public Relations Officer, Beatus Maganja, reiterated the agency’s dedication to safeguarding communities from harmful wildlife.
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He explained that the visit aimed to demonstrate the government’s commitment to wildlife conservation endeavors and assure local residents of ongoing efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) through collaboration with partners like TAWIRI, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA).
“Overall, the government’s support and TAWA’s strategic interventions demonstrate a united front in safeguarding both wildlife and communities in the region,” he noted.
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