Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Conservation Commissioner of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), Abdul-Razaq Badru, has led a high-level strategic meeting with community leaders from Ngorongoro Division, aimed at strengthening cooperation, improving social services, and enhancing participatory conservation for the benefit of residents.
The meeting brought together elected councillors, traditional leaders, ward and village executive officers, as well as village chairpersons.
Discussions focused on ensuring that conservation efforts go hand in hand with the social and economic well-being of residents living within and around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Commissioner Badru emphasised that local communities are central partners in conservation and development.
He explained that the meeting was part of the Authority’s ongoing commitment to listen to citizens’ concerns, share government plans transparently, and work jointly to improve access to essential services.
“Our citizens and their leaders are important stakeholders in conservation. This engagement allows us to strengthen trust, address community priorities, and ensure that development initiatives directly improve people’s lives,” said Commissioner Badru.
He highlighted several ongoing and planned projects aimed at improving daily life for residents, including upgrades to water supply infrastructure, construction of a durable all-weather road from Loduare to Golini, and the installation of nine new communication towers within the conservation area to enhance connectivity for communities, businesses, and emergency services.
Community leaders welcomed the dialogue and called on the government, through the NCAA, to continue prioritizing citizen-centered development.
Key areas raised included improved access to clean and reliable water, better road networks, rehabilitation of health facilities and schools, support for the Pastoralists’ Council, availability of livestock dips, and the establishment of sustainable grazing plans to support livestock during the dry season.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to ongoing dialogue and collaboration, reinforcing the goal of balancing conservation with improved livelihoods and quality of life for the people of Ngorongoro.
