Magufuli government plans evicting farmers from forest, reserved areas

People should not carry activities in Kigoma region’s forests and reserved areas and taking measures in the direction Tanzanian government has come up with plans to evict farmers and pastoralists who are liable.

The areas where new plan will be implemented include those owned by central government, district and village councils.

A released press statement reveals decision to the plan was reached by six cabinet ministers like minister for Agriculture, minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development and minister for Livestock and Fisheries apart from minister of State in the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) and Vice President’s Office and the Natural Resources and Tourism minister.

The meeting was aimed to control environmental degradation and chaired by minister of State in the PO-RALG Selemani Jafo.

Over the past several years massive invasion of forests and reserve areas have been seen in the Kigoma region.

Jafo said, “They should, therefore, voluntarily vacate the forests and reserve areas before commencement of the operation.”

The minister added it is decided the operation to commence between January and June 2019 and for harvesting crops already cultivated the farmers need to have special permits.

Apart from this the John Magufuli government has set aside about 10,000 hectares of land for agriculture in the Makere South Reserve area and mainly contributed by the Kasulu District Council, Mvinza Village and Kagerankanda Village.

Jafo said, “The area was issued by President John Magufuli to farmers and herders. The programme will be prepared to facilitate its distribution to farmers.”