Evict invading pastoralists, farmers on wetlands

Morogoro Regional Commissioner (RC) Dr Steven Kebwe has ordered authorities in Kilombero district to evict pastoralists and farmers who have invaded Kilombero valley wetlands.

 

 The RC issued the directive this week during a visit to Kilombero valley to inspect implementation of a land tenure support program, accompanied by a team of experts from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

 

He said the regional authorities were not ready to embark on a special operation to evict pastoralists from Kilombero valley wetlands and instead he directed the respective authorities in the district to ensure that the encroachers were evicted.

 

“Districts executives need to play their role to ensure that the valley which is among major elements of the national heritage is protected,” he said.

 

Acting Kilombero District Council director Aunete Kitambi said there has been an increase of livestock entering the valley illegally at night hours.

 

The coordinator for the Kilombero and Lower Rufiji Wetlands Ecosystem Management Project, Pellage Kauzeni said a team of experts has already started working on the challenges facing the land certification project.

 

The land tenure support programme is being implemented in Kilombero and Ulanga districts in the region as pilot areas by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

 

The programme is aimed at supporting a more transparent, efficient and better resourced land sector. It will also help to ensure that current and future demand for land leads have beneficial and equitable outcomes for Tanzania’s rural populations, the coordinator noted.

 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN