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The Tanzanian government has decided against allocating part of the Loasi Forest Reserve for economic activities due to its critical ecological significance. The Deputy Minister for Natural Resources emphasized the forest’s role in water catchment and biodiversity conservation. The government encourages sustainable practices like beekeeping while addressing past land allocation issues.
Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Tanzanian government has announced that it will not allocate part of the Loasi Forest Reserve for community social and economic activities, stating that the decision is based on the forest’s high ecological importance and its role as a key water catchment area for the Loasi and Nsalamba rivers.
The statement was made on April 13, 2026 in Parliament in Dodoma by the Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Hamad Hassan Chande, while responding to a question from MP Ludoviko Kagele, who had sought to know the government’s plan to allocate additional land to residents of Kasapa, Kingombe, Mlambo, Kala, and Ng’undwe villages from the Lwafi Forest Reserve for agricultural use.
The Deputy Minister explained that the reserve plays a critical ecological role, including serving as a vital source of water for the mentioned rivers, conserving plant and animal biodiversity, supporting climate change mitigation, and reducing human–wildlife conflict involving dangerous and destructive animals. He further noted that water originating from the forest also feeds into the famous Kalambo Waterfalls, a major tourist attraction that contributes to the local economy.
Hamad Hassan Chande added that the government continues to encourage communities to participate in forest conservation and to engage in environmentally friendly income-generating activities such as beekeeping, which provide sustainable livelihoods without degrading the environment.
However, he stated that in 2023 the government implemented Cabinet directives through a committee of eight sectoral ministers, resulting in the excision of 10,834 hectares (equivalent to 27,050 acres) from the reserve, which was allocated to villages according to their needs in order to resolve conflicts arising from encroachment into the forest area.
The Loasi Forest Reserve was established under Government Notice No. 346 of October 25, 1957, covering a total area of 33,468 hectares and is surrounded by the villages of King’ombe, Mlambo, Kilambo cha Mkorechi, and Mpasa.
The Loasi Forest Reserve, established in 1957, spans 33,468 hectares and is vital for local biodiversity and water supply. Over the years, the reserve has faced pressures from agricultural encroachment, prompting government interventions to balance community needs with conservation efforts. Recent decisions reflect a commitment to preserving this ecological asset while promoting sustainable livelihoods for surrounding communities. The forest’s health is crucial for the local economy, particularly through tourism linked to attractions like the Kalambo Waterfalls.
