The Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) is set to strengthen its role in forest conservation and community development through a new partnership with the Hunan Forestry Department of China.
The collaboration, initiated during a high-level visit by Chinese forestry experts to TFS headquarters in Itega, Dodoma, aims to promote ecological tourism, scientific research, and sustainable management of Tanzania’s forest resources.
During talks held on Wednesday, both sides agreed to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to guide joint efforts.
The MoU will outline areas for cooperation, including shared research projects, expert exchanges, and the development of community-based ecological tourism within forest reserves.
Prof. Dos Santos Silayo, TFS Commissioner for Conservation, said the partnership will bring new opportunities for Tanzanians by linking conservation with economic benefits for local communities.
“This framework will allow us to exchange expertise and conservation technologies while promoting joint ecological tourism initiatives. It’s a major step forward in safeguarding our forests and creating opportunities for citizens to benefit from sustainable forest use,” Prof. Silayo said.
The head of the Chinese delegation, Jianga Rui, who is also Director of Hunan’s Forestry Department, said China is committed to building strong cooperation with Tanzania to support forest protection and tourism development.
“We are impressed by how Tanzania involves communities in forest management. We hope to learn from this approach and start joint projects that will benefit local communities while promoting environmental tourism,” Rui said.
He added that the process will follow diplomatic channels in Hunan, and the Chinese team will submit a formal report once back home to guide the preparation of the MoU.
The visit is part of a four-day mission that included a tour of the Pugu–Kazimzumbwi Nature Forest Reserves in Coast Region.
The delegation observed how TFS engages local communities in conservation activities that also generate income through ecological tourism.
“TFS provides a global example of how conservation and community development can grow hand in hand,” Rui noted.
The partnership promises to bring tangible benefits for Tanzanian citizens, from expanded eco-tourism opportunities to enhanced skills for local conservation experts.
By linking environmental protection with community livelihoods, TFS aims to ensure that Tanzania’s forests are preserved for generations while providing economic opportunities for the people living around them.
This collaboration marks a significant step in Tanzania’s efforts to balance forest protection with sustainable development, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a regional leader in community-driven conservation.
