Thousands of residents in Nyatwali, located in Bunda District, Mara Region, are vacating their homes after receiving government compensation to pave the way for the expansion of Serengeti National Park. This move, aimed at enhancing wildlife corridors, has affected approximately 4,112 people from villages including Tamau, Kariakoo, Nyatwali, and Serengeti. So far, 2,888 residents have already been compensated, while the remaining residents await the conclusion of an assessment on ancestral graves before receiving their payments.
The government, through Serengeti National Park, has allocated over 45 billion Tanzanian shillings for this first phase of compensation. Assistant Commissioner for Conservation in charge of Conflicts and Boundaries, Mathew Mombo, lauded the initiative, stating that this decision serves the national interest by prioritizing the ecological preservation of Serengeti, one of Tanzania’s most vital ecosystems.
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Mombo commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her bold leadership in ensuring that the residents were compensated fairly and efficiently. “We praise President Samia for making difficult decisions that have resulted in these residents receiving their rightful compensation,” said Mombo. He also reassured that the number of residents still awaiting compensation is minimal, and only those with grave sites pending evaluation remain to be compensated.
The relocation is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the wildlife migration paths crucial to Serengeti’s biodiversity.