DAR ES SALAAM, June 16 — Tanzanian authorities on Monday unveiled a three-year initiative titled “Enhanced Conservation of 57 Highly Threatened Tanzanian Tree Species” to beef up biodiversity protection and promote the sustainable utilization of forest resources.
Speaking at the launch event in the capital, Dodoma, John Elia, who represented the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, said that while Tanzania is endowed with rich biodiversity, numerous tree species remain under threat due to climate change, habitat loss, and unsustainable exploitation. He noted that more than 376 tree species in the East African country are currently listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List at varying levels of extinction risk. “This project reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding these species for present and future generations,” he said. Implemented in partnership with the Tanzania Forest Services Agency and the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, the project will focus on seed collection, seedling production, research, habitat restoration and capacity building, said Elia.
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