The Zanzibar House of Representatives marathon budget session ended here with a call to Zanzibaris to protect the environment in an effort to minimize the impact of climate change.
House of Representatives in Zanzibar
“The only assurance to remain safe from the impacts of climate is to join forces in protecting the environment. The government will not spare anybody ruining the environment,” said the Second Vice-President, Mr Seif Ali.
He made the call when moving a motion to adjourn the House session to October 9, this year. He said the government was doing its part in minimizing environmental degradation in the islands.
The House approved the proposed date for its next session. “Already there are visible impacts of climate change on our land, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure development. Also lack of proper waste management, imports of second-hand electronic goods and the wanton use of plastics bags are other challenges,” he said.
The vice-president said the government has already put in place an environment policy, climate change strategies and regulations to protect natural resources, especially non-renewable ones such as trees and reviewing the environment law No.2/1992.
He said that since climate change is a cross-cutting issue, the government has issued guidelines to all ministries to have a working plan for environmental protection and climate change mitigation and adoption. He advised people in Zanzibar to plant many trees, mainly fruit trees, so “we have shade, protect the land and enjoy fruits.’
By ISSA YUSSUF, Tanzania Daily News
