The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, and the Government Spokesperson, Gerson Msigwa, affirmed that the Sixth Phase Government, under the leadership of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, is dedicated to enhancing the use of technology in the management of conservation activities.
This initiative aims to optimize revenue collection, boost tourism marketing, and create investment opportunities to increase tourism products and national income.
Speaking on January 25, 2025, during a meeting with journalists from the Dodoma and Morogoro regions at Mikumi National Park, Msigwa commended the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) for its progressive use of science and technology in conserving natural resources to ensure their sustainability for current and future generations.
He remarked, “TANAPA has continuously strengthened its efforts in utilizing science and technology to safeguard the nation’s resources. Conservation efforts now include the use of advanced tools by rangers conducting patrols.
These tools include GPS devices, drones to track and pinpoint poachers, and intelligence systems that help monitor poacher activities and prevent harm before any damage is done.”
Msigwa also emphasized that TANAPA has made significant strides in minimizing human-wildlife conflict, particularly by fitting GPS collars on elephants and other dangerous animals to monitor their movements.
This preventive measure helps in averting the risk of wildlife entering nearby villages, preventing harm to people and property.
“TANAPA has also installed state-of-the-art cameras in various locations to monitor the movement of endangered species like Rhinos, Gorillas, and Wild Dogs, providing insights into their grazing areas and behaviors,” he added.
In addition to these efforts, Msigwa praised TANAPA for its innovative approach in developing new tourism products, noting that this has contributed to an increase in tourist arrivals, with the number rising to 1,863,108 in 2023-2024, up from 1,618,538 in 2022-2023 – a remarkable 15% increase.
Thanks to these initiatives, the Government through TANAPA has already begun to see positive outcomes. For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, TANAPA had initially projected a revenue target of 430.9 billion shillings.
However, by June 2024, the authority had already surpassed 325.1 billion shillings in collections, signaling a strong possibility of exceeding its targets by June 30, 2025.
“Our initial estimate was 430 billion, but given the remarkable pace you’ve set, you are on track to exceed expectations, which will break previous records,” Msigwa noted.
Meanwhile, Augustino Massesa, the Assistant Commissioner for Conservation and Head of Mikumi National Park, attributed the success in revenue generation to TANAPA’s efforts in improving infrastructure, increasing the number of guest rooms, and enhancing the quality of services for tourists, including close-range wildlife viewing safaris.
Government initiatives such as the adoption of technology, the development of innovative tourism products, and international campaigns like the Royal Tour have played a pivotal role in positioning tourism as a key economic driver for the nation, contributing to job creation and fostering overall social development.
