A team of specialists from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has begun a community education programme in Simiyu Region aimed at raising awareness on wildlife conservation and strengthening relations between local communities and conservation authorities.
The programme is designed to help residents understand how to protect themselves from dangerous and destructive animals, follow legal procedures on the possession of government trophies, and benefit from closer collaboration with conservation agencies.
Receiving the team on behalf of the government, Simiyu Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS) Ms. Prisca Kayombo said the initiative will play an important role in addressing pressing human–wildlife conflicts in the region.
“Communities in Simiyu have been facing repeated threats from wild animals. This exercise will provide both knowledge and solutions that can help save lives and protect livelihoods,” she said.
The team comprises experts from the Government Communication Unit, the Wildlife Division, the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), as well as wildlife officers from local government authorities.
According to officials, the exercise will mainly target areas that have experienced the greatest challenges, including Busega and Itilima districts, where incidents of hyena attacks were reported recently.
The Ministry has emphasised that the outreach is part of ongoing efforts to ensure peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife, while positioning conservation as a cornerstone for sustainable tourism and regional development.