The minister made the remarks during a visit to NEMC’s exhibition booth at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre in Dodoma, where government institutions and stakeholders are showcasing environmental initiatives ahead of World Environment Day, commemorated annually on June 5.
This year’s celebrations are being held under the theme, “Vision 2050: Let Us Take Responsibility for Greening Tanzania.”
Touring the exhibition, Dr Seif said NEMC has continued to play a vital role in increasing public awareness on environmental protection and stewardship, helping communities understand their responsibility in safeguarding natural resources for future generations.
He noted that environmental conservation is increasingly becoming central to Tanzania’s development agenda, making public education and awareness campaigns essential in fostering sustainable practices at the community level.
“NEMC is doing commendable work. The council’s initiatives are helping citizens appreciate the importance of environmental protection and their role in ensuring sustainable use of natural resources,” he said.
At the exhibition booth, visitors are being educated on a range of environmental issues, including the significance of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), tree-planting initiatives, waste segregation at source and the zero-waste concept, which promotes waste reduction, reuse and recycling.
The awareness programmes are designed to encourage individuals, institutions and communities to adopt environmentally responsible behaviours while supporting national efforts to address environmental degradation and climate-related challenges.
Dr Seif underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration among NEMC, government agencies, development partners and the public in advancing environmental conservation and sustainable resource management.
He said achieving the goals outlined in the country’s long-term development vision will require collective action and greater commitment to environmental sustainability.
His remarks come as Tanzania intensifies efforts to promote climate resilience, restore degraded ecosystems and enhance environmental governance as part of broader sustainable development objectives.
World Environment Day remains one of the key global platforms for mobilising action on environmental issues, with this year’s celebrations placing renewed emphasis on individual and institutional responsibility in building a greener and more sustainable Tanzania.
