Tanzania loses 469,000 hectares of forest annually due to human activities

DODOMA: TANZANIA is losing 469,000 hectares of forests annually due to human activities, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbate climate change, Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Dunstan Kitandula, informed Parliament on Friday.

He informed the National Assembly when he was responding to a question from Ms Maryam Azan Mwinyi (Special Seats-CCM) regarding the government’s strategies to conserve forests, particularly in light of the country’s carbon trading initiative.

Mr Kitandula explained that Tanzania accommodates 48.1 million hectares of forests, including those managed by central and local governments, village forests, and private forests.

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However, the country faces significant deforestation due to activities such as unsustainable agricultural practices, forest fires, and livestock grazing, resulting in the loss of 469,000 hectares annually.

This deforestation contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions and worsens climate change effects.

“Carbon trading is an international strategy designed to generate funds for environment and forest conservation efforts to combat climate change,” Mr Kitandula said.

The government has implemented several strategies to protect existing forests and promote reforestation, including the 2024 Forest Conservation Strategy, the 2024 Bamboo Strategy, the 2024 National Tree Nursery Preparation and Maintenance Guidelines, and the 2024 National Agroforestry Strategy.

“I urge citizens to continue following conservation laws and avoid activities that harm forests,” Kitandula added.