THE ENVIRONMENT THIS WEEK

THE ENVIRONMENT THIS WEEK

May 20 to May 24, 2024, has witnessed a series of notable developments and setbacks in the management and governance of water resources, land, wildlife, forests, and the environment at large.

WATER

Lake Nyasa joins Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika experiencing rising water levels due to ongoing rains in the Eastern Africa region. Reports document that Lake Nyasa water levels have risen to a record high, threatening lives. Life threatening events have also been reported from Lake Victoria. Kagera dwellers are reporting that Bukoba municipality may be swallowed following the swelling of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. As in Tanzania, the Ugandan side is facing the same dangers where 5000 residents of Masaka have been displaced.

Remaining on the water sector, the Tanzania Ministry of Water through its 2024/25 budget plans to prioritize prepaid meters to address complaints about post-paid billing, aiming to enhance water use efficiency and reduce leakages.

FORESTS

In Morogoro, a new charcoal technology aims to combat deforestation and restore forest cover, which has declined by 10% over 22 years due to unsustainable charcoal and firewood use. Helvetas Tanzania, with EU funding, launched the USEMINI project to promote sustainable forest management and efficient energy use. Elsewhere as the push for clean cooking gains pace following presidential campaigns to adopt clean cooking, stakeholders are asking "Clean cooking push: What happened to city gas plans?". Will clean cooking save the forests.

WILDLIFE

In the wildlife sector Tanzania launched the China-Tanzania Tourism and Culture year to attract Chinese tourists through targeted marketing and partnerships. The initiative includes cultural exchanges and highlights Tanzania's seven UNESCO sites. Efforts also focus on climate change, renewable energy, tourist safety, and sustainable tourism, including community-based conservation and cultural tourism to support local communities. The question is, will such initiatives work? In a different place, the Tanzania People's Defense Forces have developed a thunder flash, a less lethal explosive device, to deter elephants from raiding human settlements, as part of broader measures to address human-wildlife conflicts, including hiring new game rangers and collaring elephants.

EXTRACTIVES

Tanzania is embarking on an ambitious endeavor to map half of its territory for minerals by 2030, with the Geological Survey of Tanzania spearheading the initiative. Anticipating significant progress, the government aims to cover 18 percent of the country in the upcoming fiscal year alone. This move aligns with recent calls from the US Ambassador for Tanzania to prioritize local value addition for its critical minerals, asserting the nation's right to demand such conditions from beneficiaries. Concurrently, the government has directed the Mining Commission to streamline procurement by compiling a list of frequently imported products by mining companies. Meanwhile, in a bid to alleviate debt, Strandline Resources has agreed to divest its majority stake in Tanzanian mineral sands projects to a subsidiary of Shenghe. Minister of Minerals, Antony Mavunde, has been vocal about the benefits of the 2010 Mining Act amendments, emphasizing their role in further enhancing Tanzania's position in the global mining arena.

POLLUTION

In Tanzania, the Msimbazi and Creek rivers are the most polluted water bodies in Dar es Salaam. These rivers receive large quantities of partially treated or untreated industrial wastes from various industries.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Tanzania's undertakings in smart agriculture are tackling climate change head-on, aiming not only for food security but also for sustainable economic growth. Additionally, Tanzania's efforts in climate change adaptation are gaining recognition, with the Adaptation Fund supporting projects to assist vulnerable communities in mitigating negative climate impacts. Moreover, Tanzania is forging ahead towards a greener future by addressing methane emissions in waste and livestock sectors, with collaborative endeavors aimed at bolstering urban resilience and sustainability.