The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) has intensified efforts to equip communities living around protected areas with the knowledge and awareness needed to safeguard the country’s natural heritage for sustainable development.
As part of the 2025 Customer Service Week, Rubondo Island National Park hosted more than 40 residents from Muganza, Bwongera, and Kigongo wards in Chato District for an educational tour focused on domestic tourism and conservation of natural resources.
The participants were taken through sessions highlighting the importance of protecting fish breeding habitats, maintaining ecological balance, and embracing tourism as a tool for community development.
TANAPA officials underscored that conservation goes hand in hand with improving livelihoods through tourism-related opportunities.
The engagement also provided a platform for open dialogue between park management and surrounding communities, emphasizing joint responsibility in protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources.
Speaking during the event, TANAPA representatives noted that community involvement remains central to conservation success.
“Our goal is to build a lasting partnership where communities benefit directly from conservation efforts while contributing to the protection of Tanzania’s rich biodiversity,” one official said.
Through such initiatives, TANAPA continues to nurture mutual trust and promote a culture of environmental stewardship ensuring that Tanzania’s unique natural endowments are preserved for future generations while supporting economic growth today.