The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Lands, Natural Resources and Tourism has called on the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) to speed up improvements to roads and other infrastructure in national parks to improve access for tourists and strengthen conservation efforts.
The committee, chaired by Timotheo Mnzava, made the call on Thursday while reviewing TANAPA’s performance at the Parliament conference hall in Dodoma.
Mr Mnzava said reliable roads inside national parks were important for both tourism and conservation, allowing visitors to reach attractions more easily while enabling conservation teams to move efficiently when protecting wildlife and other natural resources.
He urged TANAPA to take urgent steps to prepare park roads for the coming short-rains season, warning that heavy rains could damage infrastructure and disrupt access to key tourist attractions.
“We want TANAPA to continue strengthening and improving park infrastructure, with priority given to roads, to avoid challenges caused by the short rains that can damage the infrastructure,” Mr Mnzava said.
He further called for research into alternative road construction technologies that could provide a lasting solution to recurring road challenges in Serengeti National Park.
The committee’s directive comes as the government continues investing in infrastructure intended to improve tourism services and support conservation across Tanzania’s national parks.
Presenting the government’s report, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Ashatu Kijaji said TANAPA had invested in the maintenance and improvement of key tourism and conservation infrastructure.
The investment includes maintenance of 2,665.6 kilometres of roads, rehabilitation of 218.24 kilometres of walking trails, renovation of eight airstrips and improvement of communication systems in several national parks.
Dr Kijaji said the improvements were intended to make it easier for conservation teams to perform their duties, improve services for visitors and enhance the management of national parks.
For Tanzanians, the improvements are significant because tourism remains an important source of economic activity, employment and revenue.
Better infrastructure can help visitors access attractions more efficiently while supporting efforts to protect the natural resources on which the sector depends.
The committee also emphasised the need for TANAPA to focus on durable infrastructure solutions rather than relying mainly on repeated repairs, particularly in areas where weather conditions regularly affect roads.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hamad Chande, Deputy Permanent Secretary Nkoba Mabula and TANAPA officials led by Conservation Commissioner Massana Mwishawa.
