A simple but transformative local innovation metallic cage technology is redefining the way communities in the Lake Zone coexist with nature, offering a safer way to live and work around Lake Victoria.
When the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Hassan Abbasi, visited Busega District in Simiyu Region, he found what he described as “a practical expression of human-centred conservation.”
“In Busega, I saw men, women, and children using these cages peacefully to fetch water, wash, and swim. Some have even turned the inner spaces into relaxation spots,” Dr Abbasi said, visibly impressed by how the community has embraced the innovation.
The metallic cages, designed by government experts, act as protective barriers that allow people to access lake water without risking attacks from crocodiles and hippos two of the most dangerous animals in the area.
So far, more than 15 cages have been completed around Lake Victoria, with many others under construction.
The government has earmarked funds to build over 50 additional cages across the country this financial year, prioritising areas where human–wildlife conflicts are most severe.
Dr Abbasi said the initiative is part of a broader government effort to balance wildlife conservation with public safety.
He noted that Tanzania is reviewing its National Strategy for Managing Dangerous and Destructive Animals, which includes elephants, lions, leopards, hyenas, crocodiles, and hippos.
“Tanzania has devoted nearly a third of its land to wildlife conservation, which is vital for tourism. However, protecting people who share borders with these ecosystems is equally important,” he said.
The Lake Zone, where fishing and farming are central to livelihoods, has long been a hotspot for human–wildlife conflict.
The introduction of metallic cages is now being celebrated as a low-cost, sustainable solution designed in Tanzania, for Tanzanians that could inspire similar approaches in other regions.