On October 5, 2024, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Pindi Chana, officially launched a nationwide Wildlife Census at Matambwe in Nyerere National Park, located in the Morogoro region.
The census aims to gather crucial data on wildlife populations across the country, a key effort to enhance conservation efforts and support the growth of the tourism sector.
The project, with a budget of approximately TZS 560 million, will cover the vast Nyerere-Selous-Mikumi ecological system, spanning 104,143 square kilometers.
The census operation will run from October 5 to November 14, 2024.
Minister Chana highlighted the importance of the census as a testament to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s commitment to safeguarding Tanzania’s wildlife and forest resources.
She further emphasized the pivotal role of the natural resources and tourism sector in the country's economy, noting that it contributes 21% to the national GDP, 25% to foreign exchange earnings, and provides around 1.6 million direct and indirect jobs.
This comprehensive census will cover key national parks and reserves, including Mikumi National Park and Selous Game Reserve, as well as several Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) such as Chingolie, Iluma, JUKUMU, Kisungule, and Kimbanda, among others.
Dr. Eblate Mjingo, Director General of the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), underscored the significance of the census in identifying challenges facing the country’s wildlife.
The data collected will help the government allocate resources to combat poaching, promote tourism, and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.