The government has given a green light for the construction of a modern highway linking Arusha and Mara regions through the Serengeti National Park, putting the great wildebeest migration in the park at risk.
The decision ends a three-year-green activists’ protest against the proposed 480km Arusha-Musoma tarmac road, saying it will interfere with the annual migration of some 1.8 million wildlife through the heart of Serengeti.
Isidor Shirima Arusha Regional Commissioner told the The Guardian on Sunday that President Jakaya Kikwete had to intervene by highlighting socio-economic significance of the proposed road for the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) to buy the idea.
However, the new highway will cut through the Serengeti across which big herds of wildlife march by the tens of thousands annually. Meanwhile, a traditional elephant migration route would also be divided by it.
It could not be established immediately what made TANAPA accept the routing they fought against for three years or if political instructions came down on them like the proverbial tonne of bricks. But the unusual silence of regular sources within and close to TANAPA speaks volume for itself.
“This issue is no longer in our corridors. The ball is now in the court of TANROADS,” TANAPA Public Relations Manager, Pascal Shelutete said in telephone, hang-up.
Serengeti National Park, which shares the ecosystem with the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya, has been described as sensitive nature conserved site in Africa and needed an international concern.
Regional Manager for Tanzania Roads Agency (TANROADS) Deusdedit Kakoko has said the cost of the project is $480-million, out of which $260-million would cover the Arusha-Serengeti section and $220-million for Serengeti-Musoma.
According to Kakoko, the real work would begin early 2012, after a feasibility study is completed at the end of this year.
“In January, 2011 TANROADS will mobilise resources for the project as well as floating tenders for consultants, and the real works should be underway by early 2012” Kakoko explained.
The freeway which is projected to be one of the busiest highways in the northern zone will stretch from Mto-wa-Mbu junction on Arusha - Ngorongoro road to Engaruka-Engaresero area, Lake Natron shores, Loliondo, Serengeti’s Kleins Corner en-route to Musoma town.
Proponents of the road reportedly considered the impact of the main highway leading through Mikumi National Park in Tanzania, where a tarmac road runs through the park towards Mbeya, but the sanctuary is limited to smaller numbers of animals crossing the road.
In 2006, USA Today and ABC-TV's Good Morning America, a multi-disciplined panel named the Serengeti sanctuary covering 14,763 sq. km, Site of "The Great Migration" as the Seventh New Wonder of the World.
The annual Great Migration of over 1.8 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras is one of the most fascinating aspects of life on the Serengeti.
The animals spend most of their time in the Serengeti, 8-9 months a year, because of the availability of ample food resources, attracting most tourists.
Author Bruce Feiler (Walking in the Bible), one of the panelists who selected the Seven New Wonders, notes in USA Today that "the Serengeti is not only a natural wonder that takes your breath away, but it symbolizes years of human endeavor to conserve the natural world."
12 June 2010
Tanzania finalising marine oil spill contingency plan
Government plans are at an advanced stage to implement a National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan in a move to curb pollution in Tanzania's territorial waters.
“Coastal environment is under pressure from inhabitants and visitors to the coast, maritime transportation activities in ports and shipping lanes...that’s why we speeding up the plan to protect marine resources,” said Infrastructure Development permanent secretary Omar Chambo at the opening of a workshop on the National Environmentally Sensitive Areas and the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan and the Environmental Policy on the use of dispersants.
The meeting was organized on Wednesday by the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) with the objective of protecting coastal and marine areas from pollution, including oil spills and other related hazards.
The meeting was part of a regional project implemented by nine Western India Ocean countries - Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, Sychelles and Reunion, South Africa and Mozambique - which are working together in making their coastal and marine areas safer for marine transport.
The PS described the national oil spill contingency plan, which is in the pipeline, as important tool for responding to oil spill and other marine pollution.
“An important component of the contingency plan is an environmental oil spill sensitivity ranking. This is key tool to the pollution response team in the mitigation of an oil spill or other marine pollution incident,” he said.
In this regard, he added, preparation of an environmental oil spill sensitivity ranking of the coastal areas of Tanzania could be useful in the finalization and implementation of the national marine oil spill contingency plan.
Describing the magnitude of the problem, he said, it is estimated that at any given time there are 50 ships in the major shipping lanes off the coast of Tanzania. Approximately nine oil tankers with capacities ranging from 50,000-250,000 tonnes sail through the shipping lanes daily.
“This coastal tanker traffic mostly passes 250 nautical miles offshore...pollution risks exist from vessel collisions and groundings both in the shipping lanes and port areas,” he said.
However, co-ordinator of the Western India Ocean Maritime Highway Development and Coastal and Marine Contamination Prevention Project (WIOMHP) Raj Prayg said that experts had already been deployed to assist Tanzania in drawing up marine resources protection plan.
The national oil spill contingency plan, according to the co-ordinator, seeks to make highly sensitive marine and coastal resources as a matter of priority. “That’s why we need to prepare an Atlas showing these environmentally sensitive areas. They need to be rated in terms of importance so that we may decide judiciously what to protect for it is practically impossible to protect everything,” he said.
According to the experts, Tanzania's oil spill contingency plan will be finalized at the end of this year and its implementation is expected to start in 2011.
“Coastal environment is under pressure from inhabitants and visitors to the coast, maritime transportation activities in ports and shipping lanes...that’s why we speeding up the plan to protect marine resources,” said Infrastructure Development permanent secretary Omar Chambo at the opening of a workshop on the National Environmentally Sensitive Areas and the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan and the Environmental Policy on the use of dispersants.
The meeting was organized on Wednesday by the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) with the objective of protecting coastal and marine areas from pollution, including oil spills and other related hazards.
The meeting was part of a regional project implemented by nine Western India Ocean countries - Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, Sychelles and Reunion, South Africa and Mozambique - which are working together in making their coastal and marine areas safer for marine transport.
The PS described the national oil spill contingency plan, which is in the pipeline, as important tool for responding to oil spill and other marine pollution.
“An important component of the contingency plan is an environmental oil spill sensitivity ranking. This is key tool to the pollution response team in the mitigation of an oil spill or other marine pollution incident,” he said.
In this regard, he added, preparation of an environmental oil spill sensitivity ranking of the coastal areas of Tanzania could be useful in the finalization and implementation of the national marine oil spill contingency plan.
Describing the magnitude of the problem, he said, it is estimated that at any given time there are 50 ships in the major shipping lanes off the coast of Tanzania. Approximately nine oil tankers with capacities ranging from 50,000-250,000 tonnes sail through the shipping lanes daily.
“This coastal tanker traffic mostly passes 250 nautical miles offshore...pollution risks exist from vessel collisions and groundings both in the shipping lanes and port areas,” he said.
However, co-ordinator of the Western India Ocean Maritime Highway Development and Coastal and Marine Contamination Prevention Project (WIOMHP) Raj Prayg said that experts had already been deployed to assist Tanzania in drawing up marine resources protection plan.
The national oil spill contingency plan, according to the co-ordinator, seeks to make highly sensitive marine and coastal resources as a matter of priority. “That’s why we need to prepare an Atlas showing these environmentally sensitive areas. They need to be rated in terms of importance so that we may decide judiciously what to protect for it is practically impossible to protect everything,” he said.
According to the experts, Tanzania's oil spill contingency plan will be finalized at the end of this year and its implementation is expected to start in 2011.
05 June 2010
Nile water rights and rainwater harvesting
SOMEONE somewhere in the not-too-distant past predicted (?) that the next World War’d be a creature of water shortage for domestic, industrial, hydropower generation, agriculture and livestock uses.
[Another ‘Sheikh’ predicted that the next’d be Oil Wars resulting from too little, too expensive oil supplies… But, that’s another story…]
One part of Planet Earth where a Water WW is likely to break out in the foreseeable future is Africa as it relates to River Nile.
But, there’s a preventive to that, which people seem to shun… And the few who raise it have their voices drowned in the sabre-rattling. It’s a fairly simple ‘solution’ and, as one sage once said, it’s the simple solutions that’re routinely trampled underfoot in the mad rush to play the melodramatic.
But, I jump the gun here…
The story today’s about the waters of the River Nile which flow from Lake Victoria and finally into the Mediterranean Sea 4,037 miles (6,600km) away. The Nile’s the world’s longest river, rich in History in ways more than one. It’s today at the centre of controversy that threatens to lead to confrontation of Biblical proportions.
This is as seen in the context of two camps whose interests in the River in terms of Water Rights is becoming more and more divergent and urgent. This is amid the looming global water shortage.
One camp comprises Egypt and The Sudan to the North. Both have been the largest consumers of the Nile Waters from time immemorial. They still are – and plan to so remain well into the future.
The other camp comprises seven upstream countries and one in the peripheral. These are Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Tanzania and, of course, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
[It’s technically erroneous to say Lake Victoria is the ‘source’ of the Nile. Water from catchment areas beyond the lake flows into it – and then flows therefrom via the Nile. But, that’s another story…].
Perhaps with the exception of the DRC, the other countries can be said to have two things in common: they all are situate in the 3-million square-kilometre Nile Basin. That’s about 10% of the continent’s total area.
The other common thread running through them’s they are in ‘Black Africa,’ while the other two downstream are ‘MENA’ (Middle East & North Africa) countries with large Arab populations.
But, no matter…
About 160m souls out of the around 300m combined population have a direct stake in the waters, heavily depending on them for their livelihood. While the population – and, therefore, demand for the Nile waters – is steadily rising, the supply is steadily dwindling!
Estimates have it that the ‘Nile’ population will top the 600m mark 25 years hence. This is alongside expanding industrial and agricultural activities.
At the other end of the spectrum, the equation is unbalanced by the fact that Nile water flows (as measured at the Aswan) have fallen from 110bn cubic metres between 1870 and 1899 to 81.5bn cm during 1954 to 1988.
However, by dint of some (British) colonial quirk in 1929 – and tugenbund-type (brotherhood in times of doubt and insecurity) pact entered into by Egypt and the Sudan in 1954 – the two countries have ‘rights’ to about 94% of the Nile waters, leaving a paltry 6% for the other 7-8 nations upstream!
The crux of the problem today’s that hard-headed Egypt – dragging meek Sudan along by the scruff of its metaphorical neck – seeks to perpetuate the lopsided rights to Eternity, by hook and by crook.
The arrogance of it all’s that Egypt says the upstream countries weren’t even on the world map as distinct entities when the disputed water rights were drawn up. In true Hitlerite fashion, the Egyptians don’t rule out war to ensure their will dominates absolutely!
Nine of the ten riparian states established the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) in 1999 as “a joint programme to develop the river in a co-operative manner,” and justly share its economic benefits.
In due course of time and events, seven upstream countries sought to sign a new accord that’d redistribute the water rights judiciously. But Egypt and Sudan refuse to go along with that, dodging – like the Artful Dodger it is fast becoming – the signing of the relative Cooperative Framework Agreement.
I’ve a simple proposal. If Egypt and the Sudan want to perpetuate the extant water rights, they should undertake to finance two projects which’d ensure sustainable water availability for upstream states.
One: finance durable rainwater harvesting projects for those countries... And, two: finance a project to permanently clear the sudd that obstructs water flow in the White Nile, causing considerable water loss through evaporation.
If the two have been asked of this and pooh-poohed it, then they have no higher moral ground from which to insist on depriving their colleagues upstream their God-given right to duly enjoy the fruits of Mother Nature and Father Time!
[Another ‘Sheikh’ predicted that the next’d be Oil Wars resulting from too little, too expensive oil supplies… But, that’s another story…]
One part of Planet Earth where a Water WW is likely to break out in the foreseeable future is Africa as it relates to River Nile.
But, there’s a preventive to that, which people seem to shun… And the few who raise it have their voices drowned in the sabre-rattling. It’s a fairly simple ‘solution’ and, as one sage once said, it’s the simple solutions that’re routinely trampled underfoot in the mad rush to play the melodramatic.
But, I jump the gun here…
The story today’s about the waters of the River Nile which flow from Lake Victoria and finally into the Mediterranean Sea 4,037 miles (6,600km) away. The Nile’s the world’s longest river, rich in History in ways more than one. It’s today at the centre of controversy that threatens to lead to confrontation of Biblical proportions.
This is as seen in the context of two camps whose interests in the River in terms of Water Rights is becoming more and more divergent and urgent. This is amid the looming global water shortage.
One camp comprises Egypt and The Sudan to the North. Both have been the largest consumers of the Nile Waters from time immemorial. They still are – and plan to so remain well into the future.
The other camp comprises seven upstream countries and one in the peripheral. These are Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Tanzania and, of course, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
[It’s technically erroneous to say Lake Victoria is the ‘source’ of the Nile. Water from catchment areas beyond the lake flows into it – and then flows therefrom via the Nile. But, that’s another story…].
Perhaps with the exception of the DRC, the other countries can be said to have two things in common: they all are situate in the 3-million square-kilometre Nile Basin. That’s about 10% of the continent’s total area.
The other common thread running through them’s they are in ‘Black Africa,’ while the other two downstream are ‘MENA’ (Middle East & North Africa) countries with large Arab populations.
But, no matter…
About 160m souls out of the around 300m combined population have a direct stake in the waters, heavily depending on them for their livelihood. While the population – and, therefore, demand for the Nile waters – is steadily rising, the supply is steadily dwindling!
Estimates have it that the ‘Nile’ population will top the 600m mark 25 years hence. This is alongside expanding industrial and agricultural activities.
At the other end of the spectrum, the equation is unbalanced by the fact that Nile water flows (as measured at the Aswan) have fallen from 110bn cubic metres between 1870 and 1899 to 81.5bn cm during 1954 to 1988.
However, by dint of some (British) colonial quirk in 1929 – and tugenbund-type (brotherhood in times of doubt and insecurity) pact entered into by Egypt and the Sudan in 1954 – the two countries have ‘rights’ to about 94% of the Nile waters, leaving a paltry 6% for the other 7-8 nations upstream!
The crux of the problem today’s that hard-headed Egypt – dragging meek Sudan along by the scruff of its metaphorical neck – seeks to perpetuate the lopsided rights to Eternity, by hook and by crook.
The arrogance of it all’s that Egypt says the upstream countries weren’t even on the world map as distinct entities when the disputed water rights were drawn up. In true Hitlerite fashion, the Egyptians don’t rule out war to ensure their will dominates absolutely!
Nine of the ten riparian states established the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) in 1999 as “a joint programme to develop the river in a co-operative manner,” and justly share its economic benefits.
In due course of time and events, seven upstream countries sought to sign a new accord that’d redistribute the water rights judiciously. But Egypt and Sudan refuse to go along with that, dodging – like the Artful Dodger it is fast becoming – the signing of the relative Cooperative Framework Agreement.
I’ve a simple proposal. If Egypt and the Sudan want to perpetuate the extant water rights, they should undertake to finance two projects which’d ensure sustainable water availability for upstream states.
One: finance durable rainwater harvesting projects for those countries... And, two: finance a project to permanently clear the sudd that obstructs water flow in the White Nile, causing considerable water loss through evaporation.
If the two have been asked of this and pooh-poohed it, then they have no higher moral ground from which to insist on depriving their colleagues upstream their God-given right to duly enjoy the fruits of Mother Nature and Father Time!
23 May 2010
16 May 2010
Dar sinks in global tourism ranking
Tanzania has gone down 10 places in the global Travel and Tourism Competitiveness ranking, trailing Kenya in the region, the latest report shows.
It is ranked 98th overall, up from 88th position in the previous report year. Tanzania is ranked 3rd worldwide for its natural environment, with several World Heritage natural sites, rich fauna, and so much protected land area as to place the country 5th on that indicator.
The report published by the World Economic Forum, states that national policy on environment is not sufficiently supportive of the development of the sector, and is measurably less so than last year.
Other issues of concern, according to the report are security levels in the country, and a focus must be placed on improving the health of the workforce, upgrading the educational system, and improving all types of infrastructure on which the industry is dependent.
“This is buttressed by an important focus in the country on environmental sustainability, particularly as it pertains to the development of this industry. There is also a general affinity of the population to Travel & Tourism, and it is clearly seen to be an overall national priority” reads the report.
Kenya, a country long famous for its tourism attributes, is ranked 18th regionally and 97th overall, up four places since last year. Kenya is ranked 25th for its natural resources, with two World Heritage natural sites and its rich diversity of fauna.
Tourism is a strong priority within the country (ranked 12th on this pillar), with high government spending on the sector, effective destination- marketing campaigns, and country presence at several international fairs and exhibitions.
In addition, there is a strong focus on environmental sustainability in the country, which is particularly important for Kenya given the sector’s dependence on the natural environment. On the downside, the policy environment is not at present conducive to the development of the sector, with bilateral Air Service Agreements that are not open, insufficiently protected property rights, and much time and cost required for starting a business.
In addition, infrastructure remains underdeveloped and health hygiene levels require improvement. Just like in Tanzania, the security situation in the country remains a significant hindrance to further developing the sector.
General analysis of the year 2009, as stated in the report, may go down in history as the year of “make or break” for the Airline and the Travel & Tourism (T&T) sector as a whole. The historically high price of crude oil of $147 per barrel in the summer of 2008 clearly highlighted the vulnerability of the sector to mid and long-term oil prices.
An oil price of $100 per barrel was considered ruinous only a few years ago before it emerged as a realistic scenario to which all players in the T&T sector have to adapt in the recent past.
At such a high level, the price of oil will become even more critical to almost every part of the tourism value chain. Although weak global demand, caused by global economic recession, resulted in a steep oil price decline to $45 per barrel by the fourth quarter of 2008, this will not change the mid- to long-term oil forecast.
Several economic analysts predict an end to the recession in the next one to two years. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that oil prices will recover to more than $100 per barrel as soon as the economies around the world recover from recession.
According to that agency, strong growth in the emerging economies of China and India, along with the maturing of several oil fields, will soon rally the oil price again.
The obvious impact of a high oil price is an increase in the operating costs of airlines. Fuel costs were only an average 18 percent of airlines’ operating costs between 2000 and 2007, according to IATA estimates.
With prices of more than $100 per barrel, as seen during 2008, fuel accounts for more than a third of the total operating cost for an average airline, thus representing the single most important cost item in expenditures.
Low-cost carriers are even more exposed to fuel prices than their higher-cost counterparts, as kerosene expenditures represent more than 50 percent of their total cost base.
Tanzania's tourism earnings, the country's foremost foreign exchange earner, dropped to $1.26 billion in 2009 from $1.28 billion in the previous year, partly due to the global crisis, the central bank said on Monday.
"The dismal performance is partly attributed to the global financial crisis, which has affected major sources of tourists to Tanzania," the central bank said in a monthly report.
"However, improvement in travel receipts is anticipated given the recovery of major economies from (the crisis) and concerted efforts by the government and other stakeholders in promoting Tanzania as a unique tourist destination in new emerging markets."
It is ranked 98th overall, up from 88th position in the previous report year. Tanzania is ranked 3rd worldwide for its natural environment, with several World Heritage natural sites, rich fauna, and so much protected land area as to place the country 5th on that indicator.
The report published by the World Economic Forum, states that national policy on environment is not sufficiently supportive of the development of the sector, and is measurably less so than last year.
Other issues of concern, according to the report are security levels in the country, and a focus must be placed on improving the health of the workforce, upgrading the educational system, and improving all types of infrastructure on which the industry is dependent.
“This is buttressed by an important focus in the country on environmental sustainability, particularly as it pertains to the development of this industry. There is also a general affinity of the population to Travel & Tourism, and it is clearly seen to be an overall national priority” reads the report.
Kenya, a country long famous for its tourism attributes, is ranked 18th regionally and 97th overall, up four places since last year. Kenya is ranked 25th for its natural resources, with two World Heritage natural sites and its rich diversity of fauna.
Tourism is a strong priority within the country (ranked 12th on this pillar), with high government spending on the sector, effective destination- marketing campaigns, and country presence at several international fairs and exhibitions.
In addition, there is a strong focus on environmental sustainability in the country, which is particularly important for Kenya given the sector’s dependence on the natural environment. On the downside, the policy environment is not at present conducive to the development of the sector, with bilateral Air Service Agreements that are not open, insufficiently protected property rights, and much time and cost required for starting a business.
In addition, infrastructure remains underdeveloped and health hygiene levels require improvement. Just like in Tanzania, the security situation in the country remains a significant hindrance to further developing the sector.
General analysis of the year 2009, as stated in the report, may go down in history as the year of “make or break” for the Airline and the Travel & Tourism (T&T) sector as a whole. The historically high price of crude oil of $147 per barrel in the summer of 2008 clearly highlighted the vulnerability of the sector to mid and long-term oil prices.
An oil price of $100 per barrel was considered ruinous only a few years ago before it emerged as a realistic scenario to which all players in the T&T sector have to adapt in the recent past.
At such a high level, the price of oil will become even more critical to almost every part of the tourism value chain. Although weak global demand, caused by global economic recession, resulted in a steep oil price decline to $45 per barrel by the fourth quarter of 2008, this will not change the mid- to long-term oil forecast.
Several economic analysts predict an end to the recession in the next one to two years. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that oil prices will recover to more than $100 per barrel as soon as the economies around the world recover from recession.
According to that agency, strong growth in the emerging economies of China and India, along with the maturing of several oil fields, will soon rally the oil price again.
The obvious impact of a high oil price is an increase in the operating costs of airlines. Fuel costs were only an average 18 percent of airlines’ operating costs between 2000 and 2007, according to IATA estimates.
With prices of more than $100 per barrel, as seen during 2008, fuel accounts for more than a third of the total operating cost for an average airline, thus representing the single most important cost item in expenditures.
Low-cost carriers are even more exposed to fuel prices than their higher-cost counterparts, as kerosene expenditures represent more than 50 percent of their total cost base.
Tanzania's tourism earnings, the country's foremost foreign exchange earner, dropped to $1.26 billion in 2009 from $1.28 billion in the previous year, partly due to the global crisis, the central bank said on Monday.
"The dismal performance is partly attributed to the global financial crisis, which has affected major sources of tourists to Tanzania," the central bank said in a monthly report.
"However, improvement in travel receipts is anticipated given the recovery of major economies from (the crisis) and concerted efforts by the government and other stakeholders in promoting Tanzania as a unique tourist destination in new emerging markets."
Lions of Tsavo
It is well known that lions ate many of the workers who were building the Mombasa-Kampala railroad. The lions were killed by John H. Patterson who arrived in 1898 to oversee the construction of the rail bridge over Kenya’s Tsavo River. Hundreds of workers fled the site – and construction had halted.
Nine months after his arrival he killed the first one. From nose to the tip of its tail that lion measured 9 feet 8 inches (3 metres) and stood 3 feet 9 inches high. Three weeks later Patterson killed the companion. The lions’ skins were turned into carpets for his flat in England. By 1924 he was broke and he sold the carpets to the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History in the USA. The lions’ skins and heads were mounted on wire forms and until now are displayed in the Museum’s mammal collection.
Nowadays, through stable isotope analysis it is possible to reconstruct the diets of animals by analyzing their teeth, hair, and bones. (Isotopes are atoms of the same element but with different masses because they have different numbers of neutrons.) Isotopes exist in various foods in different ratios, creating a sort of “signature”. Different plants have different signatures. These ratios are passed up the food chain. Therefore the tissues of the body reflect the chemicals in the food and water that are ingested. So for example if a buffalo eats grass, and a lion eats that buffalo, the isotopes from the grass become part of the lions’ tissues. It is possible to analyze what animals were eating, even after they are dead!
To discover what the lions of Tsavo were actually eating, researchers Domini and Yeakel decided to analyze the isotope signatures of a few hairs about 3 centimeters long and a plug of bone from the skulls. The hairs would reveal what the lions had eaten in the previous 3 months; the bones would reveal what they had eaten over their life times. For comparison the researchers also obtained skin and muscle tissue from 5 modern Tsavo lions, bone samples from 25 Tsavo herbivores which would have been the lions normal diet, and bone samples from ancestral skulls of the Taita people, the native people of the area.
Results showed that the Taita people had been eating corn, mbaazi, and the blood and milk of goats. This gave the people a specific isotope signature.
Results also showed that one lion had shifted from a lions’ traditional diet of grass-grazing animals such as zebras and wildebeests, towards leaf eating browsers such as gazelles at the end of its life. The other lion seems to have been eating browsers for most of its life until it shifted its diet to people. During their final three month, humans comprised approximately 30% of one lion’s diet, compared to just 13% of the other lion’s.
The scientists speculate that the lions were companions. They attacked the camp together – but one was after human beings, and the other was focusing on the goats and donkeys.
Why did they change their diets so drastically? It is believed that a sequence of events turned the lions into man-eaters. First, ivory hunters had killed off most of the region’s elephants. Elephants stimulate the growth of grassy savannahs, because they push over trees to eat their leaves. When elephants die, animals that eat grass do poorly – and that is what lions typically hunt. Second, drought and disease had further reduced the population of potential prey. Third, into this situation came a large population of railroad workers. Fourth, one of the lions was in ill health due to broken teeth and major infections on its jaw that probably led to its dependency on soft human prey.
Especially interesting is that the lions were cooperating while eating different prey. It is now understood that individuals of a species can appear identical but actually have different eating habits. Although lions typically hunt together and share the proceeds, cooperation is not just simply related to food sharing. There are other benefits. Territoriality would be one. And perhaps they simply enjoyed being together even though they were eating different things.
Nine months after his arrival he killed the first one. From nose to the tip of its tail that lion measured 9 feet 8 inches (3 metres) and stood 3 feet 9 inches high. Three weeks later Patterson killed the companion. The lions’ skins were turned into carpets for his flat in England. By 1924 he was broke and he sold the carpets to the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History in the USA. The lions’ skins and heads were mounted on wire forms and until now are displayed in the Museum’s mammal collection.
Nowadays, through stable isotope analysis it is possible to reconstruct the diets of animals by analyzing their teeth, hair, and bones. (Isotopes are atoms of the same element but with different masses because they have different numbers of neutrons.) Isotopes exist in various foods in different ratios, creating a sort of “signature”. Different plants have different signatures. These ratios are passed up the food chain. Therefore the tissues of the body reflect the chemicals in the food and water that are ingested. So for example if a buffalo eats grass, and a lion eats that buffalo, the isotopes from the grass become part of the lions’ tissues. It is possible to analyze what animals were eating, even after they are dead!
To discover what the lions of Tsavo were actually eating, researchers Domini and Yeakel decided to analyze the isotope signatures of a few hairs about 3 centimeters long and a plug of bone from the skulls. The hairs would reveal what the lions had eaten in the previous 3 months; the bones would reveal what they had eaten over their life times. For comparison the researchers also obtained skin and muscle tissue from 5 modern Tsavo lions, bone samples from 25 Tsavo herbivores which would have been the lions normal diet, and bone samples from ancestral skulls of the Taita people, the native people of the area.
Results showed that the Taita people had been eating corn, mbaazi, and the blood and milk of goats. This gave the people a specific isotope signature.
Results also showed that one lion had shifted from a lions’ traditional diet of grass-grazing animals such as zebras and wildebeests, towards leaf eating browsers such as gazelles at the end of its life. The other lion seems to have been eating browsers for most of its life until it shifted its diet to people. During their final three month, humans comprised approximately 30% of one lion’s diet, compared to just 13% of the other lion’s.
The scientists speculate that the lions were companions. They attacked the camp together – but one was after human beings, and the other was focusing on the goats and donkeys.
Why did they change their diets so drastically? It is believed that a sequence of events turned the lions into man-eaters. First, ivory hunters had killed off most of the region’s elephants. Elephants stimulate the growth of grassy savannahs, because they push over trees to eat their leaves. When elephants die, animals that eat grass do poorly – and that is what lions typically hunt. Second, drought and disease had further reduced the population of potential prey. Third, into this situation came a large population of railroad workers. Fourth, one of the lions was in ill health due to broken teeth and major infections on its jaw that probably led to its dependency on soft human prey.
Especially interesting is that the lions were cooperating while eating different prey. It is now understood that individuals of a species can appear identical but actually have different eating habits. Although lions typically hunt together and share the proceeds, cooperation is not just simply related to food sharing. There are other benefits. Territoriality would be one. And perhaps they simply enjoyed being together even though they were eating different things.
10 April 2010
What is REDD
Given the trend of climate change in the world, most countries joined an international treaty i.e. the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to start to consider measures to lessen global warming and to cope with future temperature increase. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations warns that deforestation continues at a higher rate of approximately 13 million hectares per year for the period 1990–2005.
Deforestation and forest degradation lead to release of the carbon originally stored in the trees as CO2 emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that 18-20% of current global annual carbon emissions are the result of loss of tropical forest.
The IPCC recommends that reducing deforestation is the mitigation option for attaining immediate carbon stock impact globally and may generate a new financial stream for sustainable forest management in developing countries.
Tanzania has decided to embark upon a national REDD programme to meet its obligations of managing her forests sustainably while responding to poverty reduction initiatives. The government is envisaging to participate in the future REDD policy and in its development and inclusion into UNFCCC framework. Already a process to develop a National Strategy and Action Plan for REDD has been initiated and is facilitated through an appointed Task Force
Forest resources in Tanzania
Tanzania is endowed with large and valuable forest resources. About 33.5 million hectares is forests and woodlands. Out of this total area, almost two thirds consists of woodlands on public lands which lack proper management.
About 13 million hectares of this total forest area have been gazetted as forest reserves. Over 80,000 hectares of the gazetted area is under plantation forestry and about 1.6 million hectares are under water catchment management.
The forests offer habitat for wildlife, beekeeping unique natural ecosystems and genetic resources. Forest related goods and services have a significant potential for the economic development of the country. However, Tanzania is facing serious environmental degradation problems. Among the most important ones are deforestation and forest degradation. Furthermore, climate change poses another challenge to sustainable livelihoods and forest management in Tanzania.
Forests play important role in climate change mitigation as sources and sinks of CO2. Forest biomass acts as a source of carbon when burned or when decays. Also, when soil is disturbed it releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that 18-20% of current global annual carbon emissions are the result of loss of tropical forest. On the other hand, forests also act as carbon sinks when their area or productivity increases, resulting in an increased uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere.They absorb CO2 and release oxygen into the atmosphere through the natural process of photosynthesis in which CO2 is converted to carbon and stored in the woody tissue of the plant. It is because of this that some forms of forestry activities are used as valid means for atmospheric CO2 reduction as they contribute significantly to climate change mitigation.
For a long time, the Government of Tanzania has attempted to curb the problem of deforestation by promoting village and community forestry aimed at producing sufficient amount of forest products and services to meet both local demands and promote the forests contribution to global environmental conservation. Despite these efforts, environmental degradation continues at a fast rate.
This is partly due to unsustainable land-uses such as shifting agriculture, but more so because of the relationship between environmental degradation and poverty in attempts to satisfy basic needs. The consequences have been loss of biodiversity and general decline of forest products and services such as fuelwood, and water catchment values.
The Government of Tanzania has realised that a more comprehensive approach was needed to ensure sustainable forest management in the country in the face of climate change. It is in this context that Tanzania has embarked on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) initiative.
In Tanzania REDD initiative is taken as an opportunity that will contribute to the efforts towards ecosystem management and poverty reduction through sound forest management.
Deforestation and forest degradation lead to release of the carbon originally stored in the trees as CO2 emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that 18-20% of current global annual carbon emissions are the result of loss of tropical forest.
The IPCC recommends that reducing deforestation is the mitigation option for attaining immediate carbon stock impact globally and may generate a new financial stream for sustainable forest management in developing countries.
Tanzania has decided to embark upon a national REDD programme to meet its obligations of managing her forests sustainably while responding to poverty reduction initiatives. The government is envisaging to participate in the future REDD policy and in its development and inclusion into UNFCCC framework. Already a process to develop a National Strategy and Action Plan for REDD has been initiated and is facilitated through an appointed Task Force
Forest resources in Tanzania
Tanzania is endowed with large and valuable forest resources. About 33.5 million hectares is forests and woodlands. Out of this total area, almost two thirds consists of woodlands on public lands which lack proper management.
About 13 million hectares of this total forest area have been gazetted as forest reserves. Over 80,000 hectares of the gazetted area is under plantation forestry and about 1.6 million hectares are under water catchment management.
The forests offer habitat for wildlife, beekeeping unique natural ecosystems and genetic resources. Forest related goods and services have a significant potential for the economic development of the country. However, Tanzania is facing serious environmental degradation problems. Among the most important ones are deforestation and forest degradation. Furthermore, climate change poses another challenge to sustainable livelihoods and forest management in Tanzania.
Forests play important role in climate change mitigation as sources and sinks of CO2. Forest biomass acts as a source of carbon when burned or when decays. Also, when soil is disturbed it releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that 18-20% of current global annual carbon emissions are the result of loss of tropical forest. On the other hand, forests also act as carbon sinks when their area or productivity increases, resulting in an increased uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere.They absorb CO2 and release oxygen into the atmosphere through the natural process of photosynthesis in which CO2 is converted to carbon and stored in the woody tissue of the plant. It is because of this that some forms of forestry activities are used as valid means for atmospheric CO2 reduction as they contribute significantly to climate change mitigation.
For a long time, the Government of Tanzania has attempted to curb the problem of deforestation by promoting village and community forestry aimed at producing sufficient amount of forest products and services to meet both local demands and promote the forests contribution to global environmental conservation. Despite these efforts, environmental degradation continues at a fast rate.
This is partly due to unsustainable land-uses such as shifting agriculture, but more so because of the relationship between environmental degradation and poverty in attempts to satisfy basic needs. The consequences have been loss of biodiversity and general decline of forest products and services such as fuelwood, and water catchment values.
The Government of Tanzania has realised that a more comprehensive approach was needed to ensure sustainable forest management in the country in the face of climate change. It is in this context that Tanzania has embarked on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) initiative.
In Tanzania REDD initiative is taken as an opportunity that will contribute to the efforts towards ecosystem management and poverty reduction through sound forest management.
03 April 2010
ground water vulnerability
The Earth is truly a blue planet; 70% of its surface is covered with water. Unfortunately 97.5% of that is salt water, unusable for humans. Fresh water accounts for the other 2.5%, however, about two thirds of that is locked up in glaciers and in the icy poles. That leaves humans (and every other living creature on land) only about 1% of all the water on Earth to use
If we break this down even further, we see more limitations. Of the 1% usable water, only 1% is actually on the surface and can be easily accessed. This includes lakes, rivers, and swamps. The rest is underground. The US Geological Survey has estimated the actual quantities in cubic miles for water distribution on Earth and is as follows:
Oceans, Seas, and Bays - 321 million
Ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow - 5.8 million
Groundwater - 5.6 million
Lakes - 42,320
Atmosphere - 3,095
Swamps - 2,752
Rivers - 509
Biological Water - 269
When looking at these numbers, what really pops out is the enormous stores of groundwater available. 5.6 million cubic miles is a staggering sum, even when compared to the immensity of the oceans.
Groundwater is contained in aquifers, underground layers of water-bearing permeable rock or sediment such as silt, sand, or clay. Under, and sometimes over the aquifer is an aquiclude, a solid, impermeable layer such as clay that the water cannot penetrate. The top surface of the water saturated material is called the water table. For millennia, humans have dug wells to access this bountiful source of fresh water
Due to unsound environmental practices and the sheer increase in human numbers, aquifers around the world have been coming under heavy duress. There is even an Aquifer Vulnerability Index that is used by geologists and hydrogeologists to determine which areas are most being contaminated or depleted.
Aquifers with limited natural recharge capacity can be over-exploited by human habitation and agriculture. This is especially true in deep underground aquifers in arid regions such as the enormous Ogallala aquifer in the Great Plains. This aquifer contains what is known as fossil water, water deposited in the ground from the melting of ice during the last great Ice Age. Some areas are able to keep the water table leveled off with sufficient rain and recharge. However, the annual recharge in the more arid parts of the aquifer is estimated to be only 10% of annual withdrawals. Efforts have been made to conserve water by the adoption of new agricultural practices such as terracing, crop rotation, efficient irrigation methods such as center pivot and drip, and simply reducing area under irrigation.
The Ogallala and other aquifers across the United States are easily contaminated. Contamination can come from many sources, including under- and above-ground storage tanks, septic systems, hazardous waste sites, landfills, road salts, fertilizers, pesticides, and various chemicals.
Many storage tanks (particularly underground ones) contain fossil fuels such as gasoline, oil, or propane. Over time, the tanks can corrode, develop leaks, and spread contamination into the substrate to find the water table.
Septic systems are not connected to the municipal sewer system, and are meant to slowly drain human waste harmlessly into the ground where it can be biologically degraded. If the septic system is improperly designed or maintained, it can cause groundwater contamination.
Other major contaminants are the chemicals we put on our lawns to kill weeds and insects, and to fertilize the plants. These are hazardous chemicals that the rain eventually washes down into the ground towards the water table or into streams, lakes and the ocean.
It is important to remember that groundwater, just like lakes, rivers, and streams, are part of the freshwater hydrological cycle. They are all connected, so that what happens to one will affect the other. Since water is so vital to human existence, it is right to protect that source which is most abundant. Maintaining good water quality is everybody's responsibility.
If we break this down even further, we see more limitations. Of the 1% usable water, only 1% is actually on the surface and can be easily accessed. This includes lakes, rivers, and swamps. The rest is underground. The US Geological Survey has estimated the actual quantities in cubic miles for water distribution on Earth and is as follows:
Oceans, Seas, and Bays - 321 million
Ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow - 5.8 million
Groundwater - 5.6 million
Lakes - 42,320
Atmosphere - 3,095
Swamps - 2,752
Rivers - 509
Biological Water - 269
When looking at these numbers, what really pops out is the enormous stores of groundwater available. 5.6 million cubic miles is a staggering sum, even when compared to the immensity of the oceans.
Groundwater is contained in aquifers, underground layers of water-bearing permeable rock or sediment such as silt, sand, or clay. Under, and sometimes over the aquifer is an aquiclude, a solid, impermeable layer such as clay that the water cannot penetrate. The top surface of the water saturated material is called the water table. For millennia, humans have dug wells to access this bountiful source of fresh water
Due to unsound environmental practices and the sheer increase in human numbers, aquifers around the world have been coming under heavy duress. There is even an Aquifer Vulnerability Index that is used by geologists and hydrogeologists to determine which areas are most being contaminated or depleted.
Aquifers with limited natural recharge capacity can be over-exploited by human habitation and agriculture. This is especially true in deep underground aquifers in arid regions such as the enormous Ogallala aquifer in the Great Plains. This aquifer contains what is known as fossil water, water deposited in the ground from the melting of ice during the last great Ice Age. Some areas are able to keep the water table leveled off with sufficient rain and recharge. However, the annual recharge in the more arid parts of the aquifer is estimated to be only 10% of annual withdrawals. Efforts have been made to conserve water by the adoption of new agricultural practices such as terracing, crop rotation, efficient irrigation methods such as center pivot and drip, and simply reducing area under irrigation.
The Ogallala and other aquifers across the United States are easily contaminated. Contamination can come from many sources, including under- and above-ground storage tanks, septic systems, hazardous waste sites, landfills, road salts, fertilizers, pesticides, and various chemicals.
Many storage tanks (particularly underground ones) contain fossil fuels such as gasoline, oil, or propane. Over time, the tanks can corrode, develop leaks, and spread contamination into the substrate to find the water table.
Septic systems are not connected to the municipal sewer system, and are meant to slowly drain human waste harmlessly into the ground where it can be biologically degraded. If the septic system is improperly designed or maintained, it can cause groundwater contamination.
Other major contaminants are the chemicals we put on our lawns to kill weeds and insects, and to fertilize the plants. These are hazardous chemicals that the rain eventually washes down into the ground towards the water table or into streams, lakes and the ocean.
It is important to remember that groundwater, just like lakes, rivers, and streams, are part of the freshwater hydrological cycle. They are all connected, so that what happens to one will affect the other. Since water is so vital to human existence, it is right to protect that source which is most abundant. Maintaining good water quality is everybody's responsibility.
Tanzania, Zambia ivory sales requests fail at CITES
Requests from Zambia and Tanzania to hold one-off sales of their ivory stockpiles failed during a United Nations species trade meeting today that comes during a worldwide poaching crisis.
Governments participating in the United Nation’s Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) rejected proposals by Tanzania and Zambia to relax trade restrictions on their elephant populations by moving them from Appendix I — the highest level of protection under the Convention banning all international commercial trade
The two countries had also initially, asked in addition to their downlisting requests, that they be able to hold a one-off sale of their ivory stockpiles.
No commercial ivory sale is permitted if their elephants remain in Appendix I, but are possible with the Appendix II listing, which allows some regulated international commercial trade.
But neither country was given permission to sell their ivory at this stage or relax trade controls on their elephant populations. The decisions come amid a poaching crisis destroying elephant populations in Asia and Africa.
Governments rejected Tanzania's downlisting and ivory sales request. They also voted against Zambia’s request to move their elephant populations off Appendix I — a decision which came despite an amendment by Zambia to remove the request for a one-off sale of their ivory stockpiles from their original proposal.
"While the issue of whether sales should be allowed to proceed or not has dominated much of the discussions here in Qatar, WWF and TRAFFIC believe the key driving force behind the ongoing elephant poaching is the continued existence of illegal domestic ivory markets across parts of Africa and Asia," said Steven Broad, Executive Director of TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network of WWF and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Governments participating in the United Nation’s Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) rejected proposals by Tanzania and Zambia to relax trade restrictions on their elephant populations by moving them from Appendix I — the highest level of protection under the Convention banning all international commercial trade
The two countries had also initially, asked in addition to their downlisting requests, that they be able to hold a one-off sale of their ivory stockpiles.
No commercial ivory sale is permitted if their elephants remain in Appendix I, but are possible with the Appendix II listing, which allows some regulated international commercial trade.
But neither country was given permission to sell their ivory at this stage or relax trade controls on their elephant populations. The decisions come amid a poaching crisis destroying elephant populations in Asia and Africa.
Governments rejected Tanzania's downlisting and ivory sales request. They also voted against Zambia’s request to move their elephant populations off Appendix I — a decision which came despite an amendment by Zambia to remove the request for a one-off sale of their ivory stockpiles from their original proposal.
"While the issue of whether sales should be allowed to proceed or not has dominated much of the discussions here in Qatar, WWF and TRAFFIC believe the key driving force behind the ongoing elephant poaching is the continued existence of illegal domestic ivory markets across parts of Africa and Asia," said Steven Broad, Executive Director of TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network of WWF and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
27 March 2010
carl jung about truth and reality
Site Introduction (2010): Despite several thousand years of failure to correctly understand physical reality (hence the current postmodern view that this is impossible) there is an obvious solution.
Simply unite Science (Occam's Razor / Simplicity) with Metaphysics (Dynamic Unity of Reality) and describe reality from only one substance existing, as Leibniz wrote;
'Reality cannot be found except in One single source, because of the interconnection of all things with one another'.
Given we all experience many minds and many material things, but always in one common Space, we are thus required to describe physical reality in terms of Space. We then find there is only one solution, a Wave Structure of Matter (WSM) where the electron is a spherical standing wave. See Wave Diagrams.
In hindsight the error was obvious, to try and describe an interconnected reality with discrete 'particles', which then required forces / fields to connect them in space and time. This was always just a mathematical solution which never explained how matter was connected across the universe.
I realise that there are a lot of 'crackpot' theories about truth and reality on the internet, but it is easy to show that the Wave Structure of Matter is the correct solution as it deduces the laws of Nature (the fundamentals of Physics & Philosophy) perfectly (there are no opinions). While the Wave Structure of Matter is obvious once known, to begin it will seem strange simply because it takes time for our minds to adjust to new knowledge.
For those who are religious / spiritual, I think Albert Einstein expresses the enlightened view of God. He writes 'I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with the fates and actions of human beings.' This harmony arises from a Wave Structure of Matter in Space (we are all interconnected in this space that we all commonly experience). This unity of reality (God, Brahman, Tao, Spirit, Energy, Light, Vibration) is central to all major world religions, thus their common moral foundation of 'Do unto others as to thyself' as the other is part of the self.
Please help our world (human society / life on earth) by sharing this knowledge.
Clearly our world is in great trouble due to human overpopulation and the resultant destruction of Nature, climate change and the pollution of air, land and water. The best solution to these problems is to found our societies on truth and reality rather than past myths and customs (which invariably cause harm).
We are listed as one of the Top Philosophy Websites on the Internet with around 600,000 page views each week, and rank in the top 20 in Google for many academic search terms - so we just need a bit of help to get in the top five. Given the Censorship in Physics / Philosophy of Science Journals (founded on the standard model / particle physics) the internet is clearly the best way to get new knowledge visible to the world.
A world now in great need of wisdom from truth and reality.
Sincerely,
Geoff Haselhurst - Karene Howie - Full Introduction - Email - Nice Letters - Share this Knowledge
In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act. (George Orwell)
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. (Mohandas Gandhi)
All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing. (Edmund Burke)
Hell is Truth Seen Too Late. (Thomas Hobbes)
Simply unite Science (Occam's Razor / Simplicity) with Metaphysics (Dynamic Unity of Reality) and describe reality from only one substance existing, as Leibniz wrote;
'Reality cannot be found except in One single source, because of the interconnection of all things with one another'.
Given we all experience many minds and many material things, but always in one common Space, we are thus required to describe physical reality in terms of Space. We then find there is only one solution, a Wave Structure of Matter (WSM) where the electron is a spherical standing wave. See Wave Diagrams.
In hindsight the error was obvious, to try and describe an interconnected reality with discrete 'particles', which then required forces / fields to connect them in space and time. This was always just a mathematical solution which never explained how matter was connected across the universe.
I realise that there are a lot of 'crackpot' theories about truth and reality on the internet, but it is easy to show that the Wave Structure of Matter is the correct solution as it deduces the laws of Nature (the fundamentals of Physics & Philosophy) perfectly (there are no opinions). While the Wave Structure of Matter is obvious once known, to begin it will seem strange simply because it takes time for our minds to adjust to new knowledge.
For those who are religious / spiritual, I think Albert Einstein expresses the enlightened view of God. He writes 'I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with the fates and actions of human beings.' This harmony arises from a Wave Structure of Matter in Space (we are all interconnected in this space that we all commonly experience). This unity of reality (God, Brahman, Tao, Spirit, Energy, Light, Vibration) is central to all major world religions, thus their common moral foundation of 'Do unto others as to thyself' as the other is part of the self.
Please help our world (human society / life on earth) by sharing this knowledge.
Clearly our world is in great trouble due to human overpopulation and the resultant destruction of Nature, climate change and the pollution of air, land and water. The best solution to these problems is to found our societies on truth and reality rather than past myths and customs (which invariably cause harm).
We are listed as one of the Top Philosophy Websites on the Internet with around 600,000 page views each week, and rank in the top 20 in Google for many academic search terms - so we just need a bit of help to get in the top five. Given the Censorship in Physics / Philosophy of Science Journals (founded on the standard model / particle physics) the internet is clearly the best way to get new knowledge visible to the world.
A world now in great need of wisdom from truth and reality.
Sincerely,
Geoff Haselhurst - Karene Howie - Full Introduction - Email - Nice Letters - Share this Knowledge
In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act. (George Orwell)
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. (Mohandas Gandhi)
All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing. (Edmund Burke)
Hell is Truth Seen Too Late. (Thomas Hobbes)
24 March 2010
Tanzania woos tourists to FIFA SA World Cup
Natural Resources and Tourism minister Shamsa Mwangunga has invited more foreign tourists to tour Tanzania in the forthcoming FIFA Football World Cup matches to view the new Seventh World Wonder and experience the country’s warm hospitality.
She revealed this at the just-ended International Tourism Fair (ITB) held in Berlin, Germany from March 10 to14, this year.
She said that the event would bring in more than three million travellers worldwide to Africa, adding that many of these would visit Tanzania.
Although we encourage them to visit our country, last year the tourism sector in Tanzania was declared the leading economic sector contributing to the GDP.
“This position had been held by agriculture for many years, while in 2008, the number of international tourist arrivals to Tanzania stood at 770,000 from 720,000 tourists recorded in 2007,” she noted.
She said the total tourist revenue also increased from USD1.037bn in 2007 to USD1.270bn in 2008.
Also during this period, the number of German tourists to Tanzania maintained significant increase having reached 29,000 tourists against 58,240 British tourists.
“Our target is to welcome 1 million tourists by 2012, who will expectedly generate USD1.5bn to the economy,” she said.
In order to reach this target, the government was undertaking several steps to increase hotel accommodation, improve infrastructure around the country and increasing marketing promotion campaigns overseas.
She said that Tanzania was out to build a strong posture internationally as key transformations were happening across the political and economic spectra.
Tanzania's current strength is based in abundant natural resources including wildlife, beautiful beaches along the ocean and lakes, favourable climate, history and culture as well as its warm and friendly people, who speak Kiswahili.
“With a new wave of tourism developments and promotion, Tanzania expects to assume a higher rank in the list of African tourist destinations in the next five years.” she revealed.
Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa with 28 per cent of its land set aside for conservation—boasts 16 national parks and 34 game reserves, and is the home to Kilimanjaro, the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, world’s renowned Serengeti plains and now acknowledged as the new Seventh Wonder of the World where the Olduvai Gorge known as the Cradle of Mankind is located. Besides, there are dozens of other tourist luring areas including Zanzibar
She revealed this at the just-ended International Tourism Fair (ITB) held in Berlin, Germany from March 10 to14, this year.
She said that the event would bring in more than three million travellers worldwide to Africa, adding that many of these would visit Tanzania.
Although we encourage them to visit our country, last year the tourism sector in Tanzania was declared the leading economic sector contributing to the GDP.
“This position had been held by agriculture for many years, while in 2008, the number of international tourist arrivals to Tanzania stood at 770,000 from 720,000 tourists recorded in 2007,” she noted.
She said the total tourist revenue also increased from USD1.037bn in 2007 to USD1.270bn in 2008.
Also during this period, the number of German tourists to Tanzania maintained significant increase having reached 29,000 tourists against 58,240 British tourists.
“Our target is to welcome 1 million tourists by 2012, who will expectedly generate USD1.5bn to the economy,” she said.
In order to reach this target, the government was undertaking several steps to increase hotel accommodation, improve infrastructure around the country and increasing marketing promotion campaigns overseas.
She said that Tanzania was out to build a strong posture internationally as key transformations were happening across the political and economic spectra.
Tanzania's current strength is based in abundant natural resources including wildlife, beautiful beaches along the ocean and lakes, favourable climate, history and culture as well as its warm and friendly people, who speak Kiswahili.
“With a new wave of tourism developments and promotion, Tanzania expects to assume a higher rank in the list of African tourist destinations in the next five years.” she revealed.
Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa with 28 per cent of its land set aside for conservation—boasts 16 national parks and 34 game reserves, and is the home to Kilimanjaro, the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, world’s renowned Serengeti plains and now acknowledged as the new Seventh Wonder of the World where the Olduvai Gorge known as the Cradle of Mankind is located. Besides, there are dozens of other tourist luring areas including Zanzibar
EAC climate summit postponed
THE Climate Change and Food Security meeting that was to be addressed by five presidents of the East African Member states on Friday this week has been postponed.
The EAC Presidents were scheduled to address Food Security and Climate Change issues on March 26, 2010 at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Meru District during the 9th Extraordinary Heads of State Summit.
The EAC Secretariat Acting Communications Officer, Mr Owora Richard Othieno, said here that the summit has been postponed to a later date "To be communicated once consultations between Partners States have been finalized."
Meanwhile, the 20th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers is taking place at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).
The session of the Senior Officials of the Co-ordination Committee, which started on March19, 2010 is currently preparing documents for consideration by the session of the Co-ordination Committee (Permanent Secretaries) to take place today.
The Ministerial Session will follow on Friday March 26, 2010. The 20th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers will be attended by ministers in charge of East African Co-operation, Dr Diodorus Kamala (Tanzania) who is also the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers.
Others are; Monique Mukaruliza (Rwanda), Eriya Kategaya, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Affairs (Uganda), Amason Jeffah Kingi (Kenya); and Hafsa Mossi (Burundi).
The Council is expected to deliberate on several reports from EAC organs; the Secretariat, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the East African Court of Justice.
Other documents are on EAC institutions that include; Lake Victoria Basin Commission, Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization, the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA), the East African Development Bank, and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA).
Other items due for consideration are the draft EAC Annual Reports for the fiscal years 2007/2008 and 2008/2009; and progress report on the implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol. The EAC Council of Ministers is the Policy Organ of the Community.
The EAC Presidents were scheduled to address Food Security and Climate Change issues on March 26, 2010 at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Meru District during the 9th Extraordinary Heads of State Summit.
The EAC Secretariat Acting Communications Officer, Mr Owora Richard Othieno, said here that the summit has been postponed to a later date "To be communicated once consultations between Partners States have been finalized."
Meanwhile, the 20th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers is taking place at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).
The session of the Senior Officials of the Co-ordination Committee, which started on March19, 2010 is currently preparing documents for consideration by the session of the Co-ordination Committee (Permanent Secretaries) to take place today.
The Ministerial Session will follow on Friday March 26, 2010. The 20th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers will be attended by ministers in charge of East African Co-operation, Dr Diodorus Kamala (Tanzania) who is also the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers.
Others are; Monique Mukaruliza (Rwanda), Eriya Kategaya, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Affairs (Uganda), Amason Jeffah Kingi (Kenya); and Hafsa Mossi (Burundi).
The Council is expected to deliberate on several reports from EAC organs; the Secretariat, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the East African Court of Justice.
Other documents are on EAC institutions that include; Lake Victoria Basin Commission, Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization, the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA), the East African Development Bank, and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA).
Other items due for consideration are the draft EAC Annual Reports for the fiscal years 2007/2008 and 2008/2009; and progress report on the implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol. The EAC Council of Ministers is the Policy Organ of the Community.
01 March 2010
Tanzania, Kenya carry out joint wildlife census
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in partnership with African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE), Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) are conducting a joint census of wildlife in the greater Amboseli ecosystem.
The census is particularly crucial given that the park’s ecosystem was hard hit by the recent prolonged drought which led to massive deaths of zebras, elephants, buffaloes and wildebeest, according to a KWS statement on Friday
The census will includes observations on habitat degradation, water distribution, livestock numbers, human settlement patterns and illegal activities, including logging.
The census, to cover Kenya’s Amboseli National park and Tanzania’s West Kilimanjaro region, began on Sunday, February 8 this year and is scheduled to end on Thursday, March 4.
KWS has been carrying out regular aerial census every three years in the Amboseli Ecosystem, the last being carried out in 2007.
In the meantime, the Tanzania Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Shamsa Mwangunga has re-affirmed Tanzania’s resolve to seek permission to sell its 90 tonnes of ivory stockpiled in warehouses.
“We have very many good reasons why we want to sell the ivory,” she said over the phone yesterday. These reasons will be known on March 20 when we present our paper to the CITES at the forthcoming meeting,” she said.
Tanzania has asked for a permit to dispose of the ivory from CITES as required by international agreements but the Kenya government is campaigning against Tanzania on this issue.
Mwangunga said international agreements permits the sell of ivory from any member nation as long as the ivory is categorized as “legal ivory.” Legal ivory refers to tusks acquired from elephants which died from natural death, or from death caused by the action of cropping destructive herd.
Ivory acquired through poaching is illegal and permits are not allowed for their sale.
Tanzania’s 90 tonnes of ivory is all legal, she said.
The census is particularly crucial given that the park’s ecosystem was hard hit by the recent prolonged drought which led to massive deaths of zebras, elephants, buffaloes and wildebeest, according to a KWS statement on Friday
The census will includes observations on habitat degradation, water distribution, livestock numbers, human settlement patterns and illegal activities, including logging.
The census, to cover Kenya’s Amboseli National park and Tanzania’s West Kilimanjaro region, began on Sunday, February 8 this year and is scheduled to end on Thursday, March 4.
KWS has been carrying out regular aerial census every three years in the Amboseli Ecosystem, the last being carried out in 2007.
In the meantime, the Tanzania Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Shamsa Mwangunga has re-affirmed Tanzania’s resolve to seek permission to sell its 90 tonnes of ivory stockpiled in warehouses.
“We have very many good reasons why we want to sell the ivory,” she said over the phone yesterday. These reasons will be known on March 20 when we present our paper to the CITES at the forthcoming meeting,” she said.
Tanzania has asked for a permit to dispose of the ivory from CITES as required by international agreements but the Kenya government is campaigning against Tanzania on this issue.
Mwangunga said international agreements permits the sell of ivory from any member nation as long as the ivory is categorized as “legal ivory.” Legal ivory refers to tusks acquired from elephants which died from natural death, or from death caused by the action of cropping destructive herd.
Ivory acquired through poaching is illegal and permits are not allowed for their sale.
Tanzania’s 90 tonnes of ivory is all legal, she said.
24 February 2010
MPs want Ngorongoro law amended
MEMBERS of Parliament now want review of the law which established the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority arguing that the 60 years old law was both tribal and racist.
“The 1959 Act requires that only ‘native Maasai’ should live within Ngorongoro Conservation Area contrary to the National Constitution which provides for no geographical limits for any Tanzanian who wants to live anywhere within the country,” noted Busega MP, Dr Raphael Chegeni.
Dr Chegeni said hereyesterday that in the wake of increased population in the NCAA, the Maasai natives that the Act once favoured, were reproducing at an alarming rate and they are already overwhelming the conservation area whose population has rocketed from 10,000 in 1959 to over 66,000 this year.
Available statistics indicate that the 8,292 square kilometres NCAA has a human population of over 65,842 people, 136,550, head of cattle and 193,056 goats and sheep. Mr Benard Murunya, the NCAA conservator, stated earlier, that the area can only support a population of 25,000 if it is to remain ecologically stable for many years to come.
Mr Joelson Luhaga Mpina, MP for Kisesa, stated that if the Authority was to be protected, the entire human population should be evicted immediately and leave it as a purely conservation area.
“It is high time that the law governing NCAA should be revised and all human activities including settlement be stopped and the area to be made a national park,” Dr Chegeni maintained.
Ilemela MP, Mr Anthony Diallo was of the view that it was also time that NCAA resources were shared equally nationwide instead of current arrangement that Maasai get a lion’s share of everything in Ngorongoro.
“NCAA pays for their education from primary education to colleges, buy them food during drought, provide their cattle with food and veterinary services and offer them full protection,” stated Diallo, adding that elsewhere people are forced to contribute for fees and classrooms.
Some MPs are more concerned with Ngorongoro eco-system. Last year, UNESCO threatened to delete NCAA from the World Heritage Sites listing because of increased human activity in the area.
“Unless the Act is reviewed the NCAA will cease to exist in five years time because the current law encourages the co-existence between Maasai people, their cattle and wildlife. But the former two are increasingly outnumbering the latter, threatening both conservation and tourism,” observed Mr Job Ndugai, the Chairman of Parliamentary Committee for Environment, Land and Water.
All other MPs supported the idea of removing all human beings from Ngorongoro to allow wildlife and natural growth to thrive in the world heritage site. Mr Elisa Mollel, the MP for Arumeru West and Metui Ole Shaudo, the chairman of Pastoralist Council in Ngorongoro, differed with others insisting that the Maasai had the right to stay.
“The 1959 Act requires that only ‘native Maasai’ should live within Ngorongoro Conservation Area contrary to the National Constitution which provides for no geographical limits for any Tanzanian who wants to live anywhere within the country,” noted Busega MP, Dr Raphael Chegeni.
Dr Chegeni said hereyesterday that in the wake of increased population in the NCAA, the Maasai natives that the Act once favoured, were reproducing at an alarming rate and they are already overwhelming the conservation area whose population has rocketed from 10,000 in 1959 to over 66,000 this year.
Available statistics indicate that the 8,292 square kilometres NCAA has a human population of over 65,842 people, 136,550, head of cattle and 193,056 goats and sheep. Mr Benard Murunya, the NCAA conservator, stated earlier, that the area can only support a population of 25,000 if it is to remain ecologically stable for many years to come.
Mr Joelson Luhaga Mpina, MP for Kisesa, stated that if the Authority was to be protected, the entire human population should be evicted immediately and leave it as a purely conservation area.
“It is high time that the law governing NCAA should be revised and all human activities including settlement be stopped and the area to be made a national park,” Dr Chegeni maintained.
Ilemela MP, Mr Anthony Diallo was of the view that it was also time that NCAA resources were shared equally nationwide instead of current arrangement that Maasai get a lion’s share of everything in Ngorongoro.
“NCAA pays for their education from primary education to colleges, buy them food during drought, provide their cattle with food and veterinary services and offer them full protection,” stated Diallo, adding that elsewhere people are forced to contribute for fees and classrooms.
Some MPs are more concerned with Ngorongoro eco-system. Last year, UNESCO threatened to delete NCAA from the World Heritage Sites listing because of increased human activity in the area.
“Unless the Act is reviewed the NCAA will cease to exist in five years time because the current law encourages the co-existence between Maasai people, their cattle and wildlife. But the former two are increasingly outnumbering the latter, threatening both conservation and tourism,” observed Mr Job Ndugai, the Chairman of Parliamentary Committee for Environment, Land and Water.
All other MPs supported the idea of removing all human beings from Ngorongoro to allow wildlife and natural growth to thrive in the world heritage site. Mr Elisa Mollel, the MP for Arumeru West and Metui Ole Shaudo, the chairman of Pastoralist Council in Ngorongoro, differed with others insisting that the Maasai had the right to stay.
20 February 2010
Tanzania`s coffee output may decline 41 pct on drought
Tanzania`s coffee production may fall 41 per cent in the current marketing season after a drought cut yields, said Adolph Kumburu, director general of the state-run Tanzania Coffee Board.
Output in the 12 months through June may decline to 40,000 metric tonnes from 68,000 tonnes last season, Kumburu said in an interview last week in Mombasa, Kenya. The board revised the 2008-09 output up from 62,000 tonnes, he said.
“The coffee industry has been hit hard this season,” Kumburu said, adding “Flowering of the crop was affected by drought that we had in the country last year.” Last June, the board lowered its forecast for this season’s output to 50,000 tonnes from 55,000.
Tanzania, like the rest of East Africa, experienced a prolonged drought in the second half of the year. Replanting is underway, with the goal of increasing output to 100,000 tonnes in 2015, Kumburu said. New varieties begin yielding in 18 months, unlike older varieties that took two years, he said.
“This year we hope to plant 10 million trees, compared with 9 million last year,” Kumburu said. “We’re replanting in the northern region where some trees are as old as 50 years, while in the south we’re opening new fields.”
Tanzania grows both the robusta and arabica varieties in the northwestern Kagera region, while the Kilimanjaro and southern regions predominantly produce arabica, which accounts for 75 per cent of total output.
Tanzania, Africa’s fourth-biggest coffee producer after Ethiopia, Uganda and Ivory Coast, reaps its crop from April through August. The country consumes only 3 per cent of its crop, with the rest exported through a weekly auction and direct sales.
Output in the 12 months through June may decline to 40,000 metric tonnes from 68,000 tonnes last season, Kumburu said in an interview last week in Mombasa, Kenya. The board revised the 2008-09 output up from 62,000 tonnes, he said.
“The coffee industry has been hit hard this season,” Kumburu said, adding “Flowering of the crop was affected by drought that we had in the country last year.” Last June, the board lowered its forecast for this season’s output to 50,000 tonnes from 55,000.
Tanzania, like the rest of East Africa, experienced a prolonged drought in the second half of the year. Replanting is underway, with the goal of increasing output to 100,000 tonnes in 2015, Kumburu said. New varieties begin yielding in 18 months, unlike older varieties that took two years, he said.
“This year we hope to plant 10 million trees, compared with 9 million last year,” Kumburu said. “We’re replanting in the northern region where some trees are as old as 50 years, while in the south we’re opening new fields.”
Tanzania grows both the robusta and arabica varieties in the northwestern Kagera region, while the Kilimanjaro and southern regions predominantly produce arabica, which accounts for 75 per cent of total output.
Tanzania, Africa’s fourth-biggest coffee producer after Ethiopia, Uganda and Ivory Coast, reaps its crop from April through August. The country consumes only 3 per cent of its crop, with the rest exported through a weekly auction and direct sales.
08 February 2010
Dar to host climate change experts conference
CLIMATE-change experts from around the world meet later this month to share the latest knowledge about how communities can reduce their vulnerability, and how government policies can help make it happen.
Delegates at the 4th International Conference on Community-based Adaptation to Climate Change in Dar es Salaam, will include representatives of governmental and inter-governmental agencies, research institutions and non-governmental organisations.
The conference to be held from February 24 to 26 will enable delegates share information about ways communities can adapt to impacts of climate change using approaches such as water harvesting, alternative farming practices, and strategies to reduce the risk from disasters.
The meeting is being organized by the International Institute for Environment and Development, Environmental Protection Management Services (EPMS, Tanzania), the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS), and the Ring Alliance.
Special sessions will focus on how communities in urban areas or rural drylands can adapt to climate change impacts such as heat-waves, floods and droughts.
"Climate change is a global problem but its impacts are always local and that means the solutions need to be found," says Dr Hannah Reid, Senior Researcher at the International Institute for Environment and Development.
"Communities around the world are already feeling the impacts of climate change and are taking action to reduce their vulnerability.
What works in one setting could help limit impacts in many other places, so it is important that these success stories are analysed, shared and supported by sound policies."
The conference aims to identify good strategies for sharing information within and between vulnerable communities, and will promote the integration of community-based adaptation into national policies and international development programmes.
"Communities are well-placed to drive adaptation projects as they know best what the local challenges are and stand the most to gain from addressing them," says Reid.
"Adaptation to climate change can and must happen at the community level but for this to work it is essential that policymakers and funding agencies understand the benefits of bottom-up approaches and act to support them."
"The sharing of knowledge and adaptation practices from other parts of the world will create awareness in Tanzania and other vulnerable countries to improve adaptation strategies in communities that are at greatest risk from climate change," says Euster Kibona of EPMS.
"The conference will also open up funding opportunities for adaptation projects at the grass roots level."
The conference will be preceded by two days of field visits in areas where communities are practising coping/adaptation activities.
The meeting is being funded by Africa Adapt, the British Council, CARE, Christian Aid, EPMS, FAO (Communication for Sustainable Development Initiative), GTZ, IDRC, IFAD, IIED, OXFAM, Practical Action,
The Rockefeller Foundation as part of their 70 million dollar climate change resilience initiative, the Development Fund (Norway), UNDP, World Food Programme, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Delegates at the 4th International Conference on Community-based Adaptation to Climate Change in Dar es Salaam, will include representatives of governmental and inter-governmental agencies, research institutions and non-governmental organisations.
The conference to be held from February 24 to 26 will enable delegates share information about ways communities can adapt to impacts of climate change using approaches such as water harvesting, alternative farming practices, and strategies to reduce the risk from disasters.
The meeting is being organized by the International Institute for Environment and Development, Environmental Protection Management Services (EPMS, Tanzania), the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS), and the Ring Alliance.
Special sessions will focus on how communities in urban areas or rural drylands can adapt to climate change impacts such as heat-waves, floods and droughts.
"Climate change is a global problem but its impacts are always local and that means the solutions need to be found," says Dr Hannah Reid, Senior Researcher at the International Institute for Environment and Development.
"Communities around the world are already feeling the impacts of climate change and are taking action to reduce their vulnerability.
What works in one setting could help limit impacts in many other places, so it is important that these success stories are analysed, shared and supported by sound policies."
The conference aims to identify good strategies for sharing information within and between vulnerable communities, and will promote the integration of community-based adaptation into national policies and international development programmes.
"Communities are well-placed to drive adaptation projects as they know best what the local challenges are and stand the most to gain from addressing them," says Reid.
"Adaptation to climate change can and must happen at the community level but for this to work it is essential that policymakers and funding agencies understand the benefits of bottom-up approaches and act to support them."
"The sharing of knowledge and adaptation practices from other parts of the world will create awareness in Tanzania and other vulnerable countries to improve adaptation strategies in communities that are at greatest risk from climate change," says Euster Kibona of EPMS.
"The conference will also open up funding opportunities for adaptation projects at the grass roots level."
The conference will be preceded by two days of field visits in areas where communities are practising coping/adaptation activities.
The meeting is being funded by Africa Adapt, the British Council, CARE, Christian Aid, EPMS, FAO (Communication for Sustainable Development Initiative), GTZ, IDRC, IFAD, IIED, OXFAM, Practical Action,
The Rockefeller Foundation as part of their 70 million dollar climate change resilience initiative, the Development Fund (Norway), UNDP, World Food Programme, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
27 January 2010
while others suffers floods shock some face food shortage
Nearly 200,000 people in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region, are facing acute shortage of food and require immediate relief supplies.
Same District Commissioner Ibrahim Marwa said that a government survey in the area last November showed that the number of people who needed immediate food relief was 200,000.
He said up to November 2009, the district had received a total of 4,588.8 tonnes of food relief from the Prime Minister’s Office (Disaster Management Department).
He added that about 4,262.2 tonnes of food were sold to people in the area at the price of 50/- per kg and 326.6 tonnes were distributed freely to vulnerable groups and needy people.
The DC said the amount of food supplied included assistance from other stakeholders such as the World Food Programme and religious organizations.
However, Marwa said that food shortages were caused by inadequate rains in almost the entire district, which led to very poor harvests for almost three consecutive years.
According to him, livestock were also affected for lack of grazing areas, forcing pastoralists to move their cattle to the neighbouring districts of Handeni, Korogwe and Lushoto in Tanga Region.
He said the district's strategies to curb food shortages included encouraging farmers to embark on planting drought-resistant crops, employ modern farming methods as well as engaging in mixed farming.
Others are irrigation farming, especially in wards such as Ruvu, Kisiwani, Maore, Hedaru, Kihurio and Ndungu.
The district chief said for the 2009/2010 farming season, the district was set to plant different food crops on about 112,319 hectares of land, adding that the district expected to harvest about 107,813.5 tonnes of food crops.
Same District Commissioner Ibrahim Marwa said that a government survey in the area last November showed that the number of people who needed immediate food relief was 200,000.
He said up to November 2009, the district had received a total of 4,588.8 tonnes of food relief from the Prime Minister’s Office (Disaster Management Department).
He added that about 4,262.2 tonnes of food were sold to people in the area at the price of 50/- per kg and 326.6 tonnes were distributed freely to vulnerable groups and needy people.
The DC said the amount of food supplied included assistance from other stakeholders such as the World Food Programme and religious organizations.
However, Marwa said that food shortages were caused by inadequate rains in almost the entire district, which led to very poor harvests for almost three consecutive years.
According to him, livestock were also affected for lack of grazing areas, forcing pastoralists to move their cattle to the neighbouring districts of Handeni, Korogwe and Lushoto in Tanga Region.
He said the district's strategies to curb food shortages included encouraging farmers to embark on planting drought-resistant crops, employ modern farming methods as well as engaging in mixed farming.
Others are irrigation farming, especially in wards such as Ruvu, Kisiwani, Maore, Hedaru, Kihurio and Ndungu.
The district chief said for the 2009/2010 farming season, the district was set to plant different food crops on about 112,319 hectares of land, adding that the district expected to harvest about 107,813.5 tonnes of food crops.
13 January 2010
floods leave thousands homeless
RAINS continue pounding most parts of the country leaving thousands homeless. In Kilimanjaro Region, Hedaru ward in Same Distric, about 40 houses were filled with mud, debris and water leaving more than 215 people without homes.
The rains also left the Dar es Salaam -Moshi-Arusha highway blocked for several hours by debris and mud after flood water flowed above culverts on River Wanchi.
Speaking to 'Daily News', Same District Commissioner Ibrahimu Marwa said Tanroads have removed all debris and mud to enable vehicles to pass.
The rains had also made it impossible for more than 2, 500 pupils from 19 primary schools to attend studies due to the floods caused by Wanchi River which burst its banks.
In Dodoma, the rains have continued to cause havoc in most parts of the region. In Kongwa District several houses have been destroyed in Sagara Ward according to the District Commissioner, Mr Lembris Kipuyo.
DC Kipuyo said that assessment of what had been destroyed by the rains was still continuing. In Mpwapwa District 14 wards have been affected by the rains and rain water coming in from neighbouring districts.
Mpwapwa District Commissioner Darry Rwegasira said that most of the flood waters flow to Mpwapwa from other districts in Dodoma and Singida regions.
''It is raining but most of the floods are coming in from neighbouring districts as well as Singida,'' DC Rwegasira said.
The District Commissioner said that the rains, which started since late December last year, left thousands homeless. So far the government has distributed 1, 000 tonnes of relief food to Mpwapwa District and other basic needs from the Red Cross.
The Chamwino District Commissioner, Mr Lephy Gembe, noted that the rains in the area had destroyed houses, especially those made of mud.
''So far we don't have major disasters in the area but mudhouses continue to crumble due to the rains,'' DC Gembe said.
Yesterday, three people lost their lives due to the rains in Chamwino, Kondoa and Dodoma municipality in Dodoma Region.
In Arusha, a standard four pupil died after a wet wall fell on him.
The rains also left the Dar es Salaam -Moshi-Arusha highway blocked for several hours by debris and mud after flood water flowed above culverts on River Wanchi.
Speaking to 'Daily News', Same District Commissioner Ibrahimu Marwa said Tanroads have removed all debris and mud to enable vehicles to pass.
The rains had also made it impossible for more than 2, 500 pupils from 19 primary schools to attend studies due to the floods caused by Wanchi River which burst its banks.
In Dodoma, the rains have continued to cause havoc in most parts of the region. In Kongwa District several houses have been destroyed in Sagara Ward according to the District Commissioner, Mr Lembris Kipuyo.
DC Kipuyo said that assessment of what had been destroyed by the rains was still continuing. In Mpwapwa District 14 wards have been affected by the rains and rain water coming in from neighbouring districts.
Mpwapwa District Commissioner Darry Rwegasira said that most of the flood waters flow to Mpwapwa from other districts in Dodoma and Singida regions.
''It is raining but most of the floods are coming in from neighbouring districts as well as Singida,'' DC Rwegasira said.
The District Commissioner said that the rains, which started since late December last year, left thousands homeless. So far the government has distributed 1, 000 tonnes of relief food to Mpwapwa District and other basic needs from the Red Cross.
The Chamwino District Commissioner, Mr Lephy Gembe, noted that the rains in the area had destroyed houses, especially those made of mud.
''So far we don't have major disasters in the area but mudhouses continue to crumble due to the rains,'' DC Gembe said.
Yesterday, three people lost their lives due to the rains in Chamwino, Kondoa and Dodoma municipality in Dodoma Region.
In Arusha, a standard four pupil died after a wet wall fell on him.
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