Rukwa authorities on verge of losing war on illegal loggers

 Aurhorities in Rukwa Region are struggling to save the Kalambo Falls Forest Reserve from illegal loggers, who are putting the western Tanzania natural forest on the peril of extinction.

 

Rukwa Regional Commissioner Said Magalula said that something urgent needed to be done to save the forest, which is an important corridor for wild animals which migrate from Rwafi Forest Reserve to neighbouring Zambia and on their way to their sanctuary at Katavi National Park in Katavi Region.

 

He suggested the need for players in the sector, including villagers living around the forest, to team up and address the challenge.

“Illegal harvesting of forest resources puts the Kalambo forest in peril,” the RC warned.

 

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Prof Jumanne Maghembe, visited the forest reserve recently and was astonished to see the extent of its destruction, a situation that compelled him to suspend five forestry officers in Rukwa Region for their failure to manage its resources.

 

 

The officials are also suspected to have failed to protect the Kalambo Falls Forest Reserve from illegal loggers.

Among those suspended are acting zonal manager of the Tanzania Forestry Service (TFS) in southern highlands Bruno Mallya and Rukwa regional natural resources officer Nicholas Mchome.

 

Prof Maghembe said that the officials were suspended to pave way for investigations. 

 

“In the meantime, we’ll bring in other officials to take care of our natural resources as we wait for results of the investigations,” the minister said when he made an impromptu visit in Region. 

 

Thereafter, the minister visited the Kalambo Forest Reserve which is owned by TFS on behalf of the government where he was astonished to see the way the forest was destroyed by illegal loggers. Some tree species which were not allowed to be harvested were almost extinct .

 

He, however, directed TFS to ensure that all logs available in the villages surrounding the Kalambo forest such as Kasitu , Safu, Jengeni and Kaluko  are confiscated and taken to the Matai Police station and a team of experts from the ministry would evaluate them to ascertain the value of the logs.

 

TFS executive director Juma Mgoo also expressed concerns over wanton tree felling and illegal logging in the forest, urging authorities to intensify security in areas close to forest resources.