REDD Project Lunched in Shinyanga

The historic launch of the REDD project in Shinyanga region marks the start of a major new efforts to promote sustainable natural resource management and reducing green house gas emission from deforestation and forest degradation in the dry miombo and acacia ecosystem in the region.

Shinyanga is one of the regions which are prone to deforestation as a result of heavy pressure from agriculture expansion, overgrazing, wild fires, unsustainable utilization of wood resources and other human activities and the launch of the project is expected to contribute on reversing the situation by increasing the forest cover of Shinyanga Rural and Kahama Districts through sustainable forest management and carbon market incentives.

The launching ceremony which was held at the Natural Forest Resources and Agroforestry Centre (NAFRAC ) head quarters in Shinyanga was graced by the Director of Forest and Beekeeping Division, Dr. Felician Kilahama and attended by the representatives of Norwegian Embassy Mr. Simon Milledge, TaTEDO Executive Director Mr. Estomih Sawe, Development Associates(DASS) Managing Director Dr. Robert Otsyina, District Commissioner for Kahama, Mr. Bahati  Matala, the acting Regional Commissioner  Engineer  Christopher Luhanyala,  NAFRAC staff and representatives of the project beneficiaries from the two districts. The ceremony was preceded by a field trip to Bugogo village in Shinyanga with the aim of exposing the invited launching participants to the local community and their involvement in forest conservation.

During the brief visit to Bugogo the delegates had an opportunity to visit the local people and groups which are occupied with forest conservation. One of the villagers, Tangawizi Eliasi thrilled the visitors with his endeavors on   forest conservation.  Mr. Tangawizi has invested in natural resource conservation since 1992. He owns an area of about 25 acres of which portioned into woodlot and Ngitili. The woodlot and Ngitili are being enriched by planting trees. The woodlot and Ngitili provide his family with firewood, building materials, fruits, fodder, poles (York for oxen and fencing), medicines and wood for curving. These products are for income generation and domestic use. The delegates also visited Tujikomboe Women Group and Kazi Juu Ufugaji Nyuki Bugogo Group.
On his opening speech Mr. Kilahama urged the society to continue nurturing forest both natural and artificial since they are one of the main pillars of the countries development t. He underscored the need of the project coordinators to form a close working relationship with the beneficiaries of the project from the two districts. He called upon those who were present at the function to provide a firm support since the progress of the project depends solely on their drive towards the implementation of the project.

He said that it’s obvious the success of the REDD project will contribute to the efforts of restoring the sustainable forest management and poverty alleviation. He said the project implementation should focus on education, awareness creation and law enforcement in order to record the highest achievements.

TaTEDO Executive Director Mr. Estomih  Sawe, gave a brief overview of the REDD project. He was very thankful to the government of Norway for the financial support, Tanzania and Shinyanga local government for extended cooperation during early stage of the project implementation.  He said effects of climate change in Tanzania is a reality as we have been observing drought, floods, unpredictable rainfall, etc in different areas of the country
On his part the Norwegian representative Mr. Simon Milledge, said that experience and lessons which will be gained through implementation of this project will contribute to development of the national REDD strategy

The official launch was followed by tree planting event of which six trees were planted by key stakeholders including Director of Forest and Beekeeping Division, TaTEDO Executive Director, DASS Managing Director, representative from Norwegian Embassy, Kahama RC and NGOs representative. The project which is funded by The Norwegian Embassy is implemented by TaTEDO in a partnership with DASS and NAFRAC.

Mr. Tangawizi Traditional Drama Group entertaining at NAFRAC compound on launching day