Residents of Olchoronyori Village in Msitu wa Tembo Ward, Simanjiro District in Manyara Region have been urged to take a leading role in protecting the environment and strengthening resilience against climate change as implementation of the SCALE programme gains momentum in the area.
The call was made during community awareness sessions conducted under the Climate Change Adaptation Programme (SCALE), a five-year initiative aimed at helping communities better respond to climate-related challenges such as drought, floods, disease outbreaks, and food insecurity.
The programme is being rolled out in vulnerable areas across the country to strengthen local capacity in environmental management and disaster preparedness.
Engineers and climate change facilitators conducting the training said the programme is designed to ensure that communities are not only informed but also actively involved in practical actions that reduce environmental degradation and improve livelihoods.
Speaking during a community meeting in Olchoronyori Village, Engineer Joanes Martine called on residents to become “ambassadors of environmental protection” within their communities by strictly observing environmental conservation practices.
“Nawasihi mkawe mabalozi katika jamii zenu. Shirikianeni kwa pamoja kufuata kanuni bora za utunzaji wa mazingira ikiwemo upandaji wa miti, kilimo endelevu, na kukomesha kabisa tabia ya ukataji miti ovyo pamoja na uchomaji mkaa,” he said.
He emphasized that environmental protection requires collective responsibility, urging villagers to adopt sustainable farming methods, increase tree planting, and stop harmful practices such as indiscriminate tree cutting and charcoal burning, which accelerate land degradation and worsen the effects of climate change.
Engineer Joanes further encouraged residents to be proactive in identifying and initiating development opportunities that can attract support from both government and private sector investors.
He noted that such initiatives would not only improve environmental sustainability but also strengthen household incomes and boost the local economy.
The programme is being coordinated through Climate Change Adaptation Teams at district level (CCAT) in collaboration with Ward Climate Change Adaptation Teams (WCAT), ensuring proper implementation, monitoring, and community participation in all project activities.
According to coordinators, six wards in Simanjiro District are set to benefit from the initiative. These include Oljoro Namba Five, Shambarai, Msitu wa Tembo, Loiborsoit, Ruvu Remit, and Kitwai—areas identified as highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, particularly recurring drought and environmental degradation.
At the national level, the SCALE programme is being implemented across 54 local government authorities in 21 regions of Mainland Tanzania and 11 local government authorities in five regions of Zanzibar.
The broad coverage is aimed at ensuring that climate adaptation knowledge reaches communities most at risk.
Local leaders in Simanjiro have welcomed the initiative, saying it comes at a critical time when climate change continues to affect pastoral and farming communities who depend heavily on natural resources.
They noted that increased awareness will help communities make informed decisions and improve environmental stewardship at the grassroots level.
As implementation continues, stakeholders remain optimistic that sustained community engagement will lead to stronger environmental protection, improved livelihoods, and long-term resilience against climate shocks in Simanjiro and beyond.
