A major environmental restoration initiative has been launched in Mbarali District as authorities move to rehabilitate vegetation cover and protect water catchment areas affected by the Tanzania–Zambia Power Interconnection Project (TAZA).
The exercise, led by Mbarali District Commissioner Brig. Gen. Maulid Surumbu, saw more than 200 trees planted at Majombe Primary School in Itamboleo Village on June 11, marking the first phase of a wider reforestation programme targeting communities traversed by the power transmission project.
The initiative is part of efforts to restore ecosystems disturbed during project implementation and safeguard water sources that support Tanzania’s hydropower generation system.
Speaking during the launch, Brig. Gen. Surumbu said environmental conservation must remain a priority, particularly in areas surrounding streams and rivers that feed major water bodies used for electricity generation.
He praised the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) for incorporating environmental restoration into the implementation of one of the country’s key regional energy projects.
“The decision by TANESCO, through the TAZA project, to restore vegetation cover demonstrates a commitment to balancing infrastructure development with environmental sustainability. Development projects should leave a positive legacy for future generations,” he said.
The district commissioner noted that protecting water catchments is becoming increasingly important as climate change continues to place pressure on natural resources and energy production systems.
Representing TANESCO Environment Manager Tluway Sappa, TAZA Environmental Supervisor Eng. Fikirini Mtandika said the tree-planting exercise forms part of a broader environmental management programme covering 22 villages in Mbarali District affected by the transmission line project.
He said TANESCO plans to plant more than 2,000 trees in strategic locations, with priority given to areas surrounding water sources that contribute to the flow of the Great Ruaha River.
The river plays a crucial role in supporting hydropower generation at the Mtera, Kidatu and Julius Nyerere dams, which together account for a significant share of the country’s electricity supply.
“Environmental conservation is directly linked to energy security. By protecting water sources and restoring vegetation, we are helping to safeguard the natural systems that support electricity generation,” Eng. Mtandika said.
He added that TANESCO continues to integrate environmental sustainability measures into its infrastructure projects as part of efforts to ensure long-term social and economic benefits for communities.
Mbarali District Forest Officer Lucas Bitta Bwire of the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) said the agency is working closely with local communities to promote environmental conservation around Chimala and Ulembo forests as well as settlements located along the TAZA project corridor.
According to Mr Bwire, public awareness and community participation remain critical to the success of conservation programmes.
“Protecting forests and water catchments requires collective action. When communities, government institutions and conservation agencies work together, the results are more sustainable and beneficial to future generations,” he said.
The tree-planting programme is expected to strengthen environmental protection efforts in Mbarali while contributing to the restoration of degraded landscapes, improved water conservation and enhanced resilience against the impacts of climate change.
For TANESCO, the initiative reflects a growing recognition that the sustainability of energy infrastructure depends not only on engineering investments but also on the protection of the natural resources that underpin power generation.
