DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania’s Vice-President Emmanuel Nchimbi has directed regional authorities to step up tree-planting efforts, as part of a nationwide campaign to curb deforestation and protect natural resources vital to the economy.
Speaking on Thursday at national celebrations marking World Forestry Day and National Tree Planting Day in Lindi, Nchimbi called for coordinated, locally tailored strategies involving communities, public institutions and the private sector.
“The national tree-planting campaign we are launching is part of deliberate efforts to protect forest reserves and strengthen accountability in environmental conservation,” he said.
The directive comes amid rising concern over forest degradation and its impact on livelihoods, water resources and climate resilience in the East African nation.
Nchimbi said tree-planting initiatives should move beyond symbolic exercises, urging authorities to align programmes with local ecological conditions and enforce measures against encroachment, unsustainable land use and bush fires.
He also called for expanded public awareness campaigns targeting communities living near forests, saying current efforts remain insufficient.
The vice-president instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to expand research through the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI), including identifying suitable tree species for different ecological zones.
He said the Tanzania Forest Fund (TaFF) should increase support for community and private woodlots, while the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) should expand tree nurseries, including indigenous species.
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The campaign forms part of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s “27 Kijani” (Green 27) initiative launched in 2023. More than 113 million trees have been planted so far, according to government figures.
Tanzania has about 48.1 million hectares (119 million acres) of forest, covering roughly 55% of its land area. Most of it consists of miombo woodland, alongside montane forests, mangroves and plantations.
Forests underpin key sectors including tourism, agriculture and water supply, and are critical for biodiversity conservation.
Separately, Nchimbi addressed concerns over electricity supply in southern regions, saying plans to connect Lindi and Mtwara to the national power grid were under way. He directed Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi to oversee implementation to ensure timely delivery.
Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Ashatu Kijaji said the campaign had increased public participation in tree planting, with the government continuing to produce and distribute seedlings.
Lindi Regional Commissioner Zainab Telack said the region hosts extensive protected areas, including parts of the Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park, and the Rondo and Pindiro forest reserves, covering more than 1 million hectares.