Moshi succeeds in planting trees


The Parliamentary Committee on Lands, Natural Resources and Environment has shown its satisfaction on the good work done by Kilimanjaro Region leadership in protecting the environment.

Mr James Lembeli

Mr James Lembeli, the chairman of the committee, said this on Tuesday when his parliamentary outfit met the Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Mr Leonidas Gama.

Mr Lembeli, who is also the legislator for Kahama, noted that leaders of Mr Gama’s calibre are few. Many have come and gone and if only the nation had more such leaders, it would not have so much environmental degradation problems.

“I do not see the advice that the committee can give you. You have done it all. May you continue with this spirit so that others can learn from you? Kahama councillors came here to learn about the cleanliness of this town (Moshi),” said the outspoken lawmaker.

Mr James said that his committee supported Mr Gama fully. The team also praised the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC)’s in its decision taken way back in 2012 controlling issuance of permits to cut trees.

The RCC also banned the use of chainsaws and transportation of forest products for a specific time until the ecology of the region is restored.

In his response, the RC said that from February 29, 2012 the RCC adopted a stakeholders’ proposal, limiting issuance of permits to cut trees and transport forest products even if the trees were privately owned.

“Citizens were directed to get their forest needs from Government owned forests at Rongai and West Kilimanjaro. The decision is still being implemented until now,” said Mr Gama, amid applause from committee members.


He said people could only get special permits to cut trees only when such trees were about to fall on a house. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous people photocopied the permits, producing 100 copies and embarked on wanton felling of trees.

However, all permits are now locked in a safe. Furthermore, the RC said that a special operation was initiated for planting trees during long rain seasons so as to restore the vegetation that used to thrive here some decades back.

In 2011/12 the target was to plant 7,000,000 trees but the region managed 83% of the total. In 2012/13 the region planned to plant 12,901,937 trees but managed 62% and this financial year the target is 11,000,000 trees.

The planting exercise is going on. The RC said that the operation has been successful, citing examples of some workshop owners who have approached him to complain that the tenders they were floating to get logs are now not answered.

The RC says he asked them if they had planted any trees and the answer was not in the affirmative.

He commended religious institutions for their tree planting initiatives, especially Tanzania Evangelical Lutheran Church (TELC) which has made it a rule that unless a child plants ten tree he or she cannot get religious Confirmation.

The Deputy Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Environment), Ms Ummy Ally Mwalimu commended the region for its campaign and said she would plan a specific trip to the region to learn about the success it has achieved.

By DEUS NGOWI, Tanzania Daily News

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