Protecting Miombo forests is not just an environmental issue it is a pathway to better livelihoods for local communities, Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) Commissioner Prof. Dos Santos Silayo has said.
Speaking at an international conference on participatory Miombo forest management, Prof. Silayo highlighted that involving communities and stakeholders in conservation ensures forests are preserved while people thrive.
“When communities are part of the solution, they gain from the land instead of losing it. Forest conservation can create jobs, support beekeeping, provide clean energy, and protect water sources,” he said.
Tanzania has already put this approach into practice. Through TFS programs, citizens can secure Certificates of Customary Rights of Occupancy (CCROs), engage in sustainable farming, access clean cooking energy, and develop beekeeping and honey value chains that generate income.
Prof. Silayo emphasized that alternative livelihoods, conservation education, and modern monitoring technology are key to helping communities protect forests while improving their quality of life.
He also thanked conference organizers and donors, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF) via OMR-Tanzania and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), for supporting initiatives that link environmental protection with community development.
As part of the event, Tanzania showcased honey and conservation materials used in its programs, demonstrating that forest preservation is not just about trees it is about empowering citizens and building sustainable communities.
“Forests and communities go hand in hand. When people benefit from protecting their environment, both nature and livelihoods flourish,” Prof. Silayo said.
