By Lilian Kasenene, KilomberoThe government has vowed not to tolerate individuals undermining efforts to protect and conserve the Kilombero Game Reserve.
This reserve is crucial for preserving water sources, forests, and wildlife. It also significantly contributes to the water supply for the strategic Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP), which relies heavily on the Kilombero Basin.
Speaking yesterday, Kilombero District Commissioner, Advocate Dunstan Kyobya, strongly condemned individuals deceiving locals into farming or grazing livestock within the reserve or selling land for agricultural purposes.
“There is a habit of certain individuals misleading people into believing that activities like farming and livestock grazing are permitted in the reserve. Let me clarify that no human activities are allowed in the reserve except those legally authorized,” said Kyobya.
He further revealed that some individuals are conning locals by selling plots within the reserve. He instructed the District Police Commander (OCD) and the District Security Committee to closely monitor the situation and take legal action against anyone found defrauding or misleading citizens in this manner.
The DC also urged local leaders to enhance security in the Kilombero Game Reserve and establish proper systems for accommodating individuals relocating from within the reserve’s boundaries.
Key areas affected include Mofu, Idete, Mawala, Chombe, and Mgeta, as well as Chita, Kalengakyelu, Chisano, Ching'anda, Mlimba, and Utengule. Kyobya emphasized the need to safeguard President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision and commitment from being sabotaged by a few individuals.
Mlimba District Council Director, Jamal Idrisa Abdul, expressed gratitude to President Samia for upgrading the status of the Kilombero Game Reserve.
He stressed that the council, in collaboration with the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), is committed to protecting the reserve and restoring its natural state.
The Director highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure no human activities persist within the reserve.
Kilombero Game Reserve Commander, Bigilamungu Kagoma, noted that since the reserve’s status upgrade, TAWA has been installing boundary markers to make the reserve’s limits clear to locals. To date, over 1,100 boundary markers have been installed.