The Government of Tanzania has announced a review of conservation laws and protected area boundaries following concerns raised by Members of Parliament, in a move aimed at improving fairness in natural resources management while strengthening protection of citizens’ livelihoods.
Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said the Sixth Phase Government, led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, is committed to ensuring that all concerns raised by MPs and citizens are carefully addressed to improve the management of the natural resources and tourism sector.
He made the remarks on Monday, May 18, 2026, in Dodoma while responding to issues raised during the parliamentary debate on the budget of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, where lawmakers called for reforms in conservation laws and better clarity on protected area boundaries.
The Prime Minister said President Samia has already directed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, working together with the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, to review key laws governing the sector, including Laws No. 111 and 116, in order to ensure they reflect current realities and protect both conservation areas and citizens.
He noted that one of the major priorities of the review will be to clearly define conservation boundaries, especially in areas where demarcation is unclear, a situation that has in some cases caused confusion and tension between communities and conservation authorities.
“All the concerns raised by MPs have been received and will be addressed. We will also review boundary issues so that citizens clearly understand the limits of their land and conservation areas,” said Mwigulu Nchemba.
The Prime Minister further acknowledged challenges in the current legal framework, particularly where penalties for different offences are almost the same regardless of their severity.
He said the government has observed situations where individuals involved in minor offences, such as possession of charcoal, receive similar punishments to those engaged in serious crimes such as ivory trafficking or organized poaching.
“Our laws currently do not adequately differentiate between the seriousness of offences. A person carrying charcoal and another dealing in ivory may receive the same penalty, just as a farmer encroaching into a reserve may be treated the same as a professional poacher,” he explained.
He said the government will now work on revising these laws to ensure fairness, proportionality, and justice, while still maintaining strong protection of wildlife and forest resources.
According to him, the reforms are expected to reduce unnecessary conflicts between communities and conservation authorities, while also improving trust, awareness, and cooperation in protecting natural resources.
The directives issued by President Samia Suluhu Hassan aim to ensure that conservation policies do not burden citizens unfairly, but instead support sustainable development, environmental protection, and improved livelihoods.
Officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism will now work with legal experts and other stakeholders to prepare proposed amendments that will be presented to Parliament for further discussion and approval.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Tanzania’s rich natural heritage, including national parks, game reserves, and forests, while ensuring that communities living near protected areas are treated fairly and given clear guidance on land use and conservation rules.
This review is expected to create a more balanced system that protects the environment while also respecting the rights and livelihoods of citizens living in and around conservation areas.
