The Conservation Commissioner of the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), CPA (T) Musa Nassoro Kuji, has urged park officials and rangers at Ruaha National Park to remain steadfast in their commitment to conservation, accountability, and innovation in protecting the country’s natural resources.
Commissioner Kuji made the remarks shortly after participating in The Great Ruaha Marathon held on July 5, 2025, inside Ruaha National Park the largest protected area within the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem, renowned for its abundant wildlife including elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, and buffaloes.
Following the marathon, Commissioner Kuji led a strategic working session with park staff at the Msembe Headquarters, aiming to bolster staff morale, foster unity, and reinforce the importance of professionalism in delivering TANAPA’s conservation mandate.
“Conservation success is a product of discipline, teamwork, and a deep sense of responsibility. Let us continue to be champions of our mission to protect and sustainably manage these precious resources for the benefit of future generations,” he told the gathering.
He applauded officers and rangers for their participation in the marathon, describing it as more than a sporting event.
“It was a platform to educate the public on the importance of environmental protection, especially the conservation of key water sources like the Great Ruaha River,” he noted.
During the meeting, Commissioner Kuji underscored the need for innovative approaches in addressing conservation challenges and called on staff to lead by example in promoting integrity and dedication.
Senior Assistant Conservation Commissioner Godwell Meing’ataki, who heads the Southern Zone, welcomed the Commissioner and presented several community-focused initiatives being implemented by the park.
These include awareness campaigns, support for local development projects, and empowerment of income-generating groups around the park.
“Through our Community Relations Unit, we’ve maintained a consistent presence in the surrounding communities, ensuring they benefit from and participate in conservation efforts,” Meing’ataki said.
Ruaha Park Manager and Assistant Conservation Commissioner Abel Mtui gave a progress update on tourism growth and revenue for 2024/2025, attributing the gains to improved infrastructure and diversified tourism offerings.
“We’ve expanded our products to include game drives, walking safaris, night drives, balloon safaris, bush meals, boat tours, and sport fishing. These have significantly boosted our visitor numbers and park revenue,” Mtui explained.
Commissioner Kuji’s visit also included an inspection of strategic development projects under the REGROW (Resilient Natural Resource Management for Tourism and Growth) programme.
These projects include the construction of the Msembe airstrip, a new Visitor Information Centre, and eco-friendly tourist cottages.
The visit reinforced TANAPA’s focus on building resilient conservation systems, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and positioning Ruaha National Park as a key destination for sustainable tourism in Tanzania.
The Commissioner concluded by urging all staff to maintain their professionalism and dedication as custodians of one of Africa’s richest ecosystems.