The Government of Tanzania has called on citizens across the country to take a more active role in protecting the environment, stressing that sustainable use of natural resources is key to improving livelihoods and building a stronger economy for future generations.
The call was made by the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Emmanuel Nchimbi, who represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the national commemoration of World Environment Day held at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre in Dodoma.
Speaking at the event, the Vice President said environmental protection is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation between government institutions, the private sector, and citizens.
He emphasized that Tanzania’s natural wealth can only bring long-term benefits if it is properly managed and protected.
He urged increased public education on environmental conservation, noting that cleanliness in many urban and rural areas still needs to improve.
He called on local government authorities to strengthen waste management systems and ensure that communities are actively involved in keeping their surroundings clean.
The Vice President encouraged a shift in mindset, saying waste should no longer be seen as a problem but as an economic opportunity.
He explained that organic waste can be converted into useful products such as manure, animal feed, and other materials that can create income and jobs for citizens, especially youth and women.
On clean energy, he noted significant progress in the use of clean cooking solutions, which has increased from 6.9 percent in 2021 to 28.6 percent in 2025.
He said this progress helps reduce environmental destruction while improving public health and household wellbeing.
He further directed that all building permits should include a requirement for tree planting, with at least five trees planted per construction project.
He also instructed city and municipal councils to develop and maintain green spaces, including public parks and gardens, to improve living environments in both urban and rural areas.
He called on the Tanzania Forest Services Agency to ensure that tree seedlings are widely available to support nationwide tree-planting efforts. He also urged stronger protection of newly planted forests to ensure survival and long-term impact.
In addition, he directed environmental authorities to work with the National Carbon Monitoring Centre to identify and register suitable forests for carbon trading.
He said this will help communities and the country benefit financially from global climate initiatives while strengthening conservation.
He also encouraged research institutions to intensify studies on invasive plant and animal species that are affecting farming and livestock activities in various regions. He said scientific solutions are needed to protect food production and rural livelihoods.
Local government authorities were instructed to improve waste collection systems and establish recycling centres in order to reduce the amount of waste ending up in dumpsites and to promote recycling at community level.
The Vice President emphasized that environmental protection must become part of daily life, urging every citizen to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.
He warned that protecting the environment is not optional, as it is directly linked to both human survival and economic development.
On his part, the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Hamad Masauni, announced that the government is launching a five-year Strategic Environmental Transformation Programme (2026–2030) aimed at restoring ecosystems and strengthening climate resilience.
He said the programme will focus on tree planting, expanding clean cooking energy use, improving waste management systems, promoting carbon trading, and increasing participation of women and youth in the green economy.
The national commemoration was held under the theme “Vision 2050: Let Us Commit to Greening Tanzania,” bringing together government leaders, environmental experts, development partners, students, and members of the public.
The event highlighted the importance of citizen participation in environmental protection, with a strong message that a cleaner and greener Tanzania can only be achieved through collective action at all levels of society.
