What You Need to Know
The COLOURS conservation project, funded by the EU, aims to strengthen governance in Tanzania’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), particularly the Mpimbwe WMA in Katavi Region. With over 2 billion Tanzanian shillings allocated, the project focuses on empowering local communities to manage natural resources effectively, enhancing ecological sustainability and unlocking tourism opportunities.
Africa-Press – Tanzania. MORE than 2bn/- is expected to be spent on implementing the COLOURS conservation project aimed at strengthening governance and management capacity in Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) to enhance efficiency and promote sustainable revenue streams.
Speaking during the official launch of the two year project, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Tanzania Programme Officer Scholastica Mbinile said the initiative, funded by the European Union (EU), will focus on empowering communities responsible for managing natural resources under WMA structures.
She noted that WMAs across the country continue to face multiple governance challenges despite communities being key stakeholders in conservation efforts in Tanzania and globally.
“There have been longstanding challenges within WMAs, particularly in leadership, resource management, boundary identification and understanding how to generate income from conservation activities to ensure sustainability,” she said.
Ms Mbinile explained that the COLOURS project will focus specifically on strengthening the Mpimbwe Wildlife Management Area in Katavi Region, an important ecological corridor linking Katavi National Park with surrounding landscapes.
She said enhancing the capacity of Mpimbwe WMA will not only support environmental conservation but also unlock tourism opportunities through initiatives such as establishing hunting blocks and promoting photographic tourism.
“With the right support, Mpimbwe can operate independently, generate sustainable income and move away from reliance on fines or unpredictable revenue sources,” she added.
According to her, the project has identified strategic interventions aimed at improving ecological and economic sustainability, including strengthening governance structures, promoting responsible natural resource use and supporting the development of viable tourism products.
She said improved leadership and management capacity is expected to contribute to stronger protection of wildlife, forests and water sources within the WMA.
Chief Wildlife Officer from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Rose Mdendemi, emphasised that conservation efforts cannot succeed without the active participation of local communities.
She urged stakeholders implementing conservation projects to ensure effective execution so that communities directly benefit from the natural resources surrounding them.
“The government has put in place a favourable policy and legal framework that allows citizens and stakeholders to actively participate in conservation and benefit from available resources,” she said.
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Tanzania have been established to promote conservation while allowing local communities to benefit from natural resources. Despite their potential, these areas face governance challenges that hinder effective management and revenue generation. The COLOURS project aims to address these issues by enhancing community involvement and governance structures, ensuring that conservation efforts are sustainable and beneficial to local populations. This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the importance of community-led conservation in Tanzania’s environmental strategy.
