Saa Nane to become national park

THE status of Saa Nane Island in Mwanza Region will soon be elevated to national park, according to the Arusha-based Tanzania National Parks Authority. The new status will take effect sometime next year. Saa Nane, which is being upgraded from its previous status as a forest reserve and wildlife acclimatization zone, will increase the number of national parks from the current 15 to 16 next year. "Saa Nane Island will be the first ever Wildlife Game Park to be located within a city," said Mr Donatus Bayona, the Acting Conservator of the proposed national park. He explained that already the rocky island with breathtaking scenic settings, natural growth and marine attractions has been attracting many residents from Mwanza and the surrounding Lake Zone regions. The Park Warden in charge of tourism, Ms Rukia Juma Mallya, said the proposed national park could help promote domestic tourism. According to her, the island currently gets an average of 250 visitors per month and between 180 and 200 of those are local Tanzanians coming mainly from Mwanza. After being gazetted next year, Saa Nane Island is also going to be the smallest national park in both Tanzania and East Africa, with its territory measuring some 0.7 square kilometres comprising both dry land and water. The proposed Saa Nane National Park will command a 200-metre perimeter of water to the south and 100 meters aquatic corridor in the north. The Acting Conservator, Mr Bayona, said that the new proposal includes the incorporation of two smaller islets -- Chankende Kubwa and Chankende Ndogo -- located in the southern part of the main island. "Local residents have asked us to take under our wing the two islands in order to curb illegal fishing, environment destruction as well as crime because the waters surrounding the two land features on Lake Victoria will be manned and patrolled by TANAPA wardens," he said. But what should people expect to find at Saa Nane Island? "The proposed national park is home to mammals like the Impala, rock hyrax, velvet monkeys, wild cats, clawless Otters and de-brazzas monkeys. The aquatic part of the park will offer all types of fish, crocodiles, marine snakes and monitor lizards. Other reptiles include tortoises, grass snakes, pythons and agama lizards." There are plans to introduce new animal species to boost the island's wildlife variety and the conservator reveals that soon zebras, grant's gazelles, dik-diks and Kllipringers will be included at Saa Nane after an extensive study by zoological experts including scholars from the University of Dar es Salaam. Other attractions at Saa Nane include the landmarks of Mwanza; the huge naturally designed rocky hills and landscapes, the lake view and natural vegetation decorated by a variety of birds' species, insects and flowers.