Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Tanzanian government has begun conducting thorough research and assessments to determine the feasibility of erecting fences in specific sections of national parks that have been severely affected by destructive and dangerous wildlife.
This was revealed in the National Assembly yesterday by Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Dunstan Kitandula, when responding to a question from Bunda MP, Mr Boniphace Getere (CCM), who asked when the government would fence national parks to protect citizens and their properties from frequent wildlife incursions.
Mr Kitandula said studies are currently ongoing in areas such as Bagamoyo, Mikumi, Kagera, Mkomazi, and the border zones of the Ikorongo Game Reserve stretching towards Tabora B, and from Grumeti towards Ndabaka.
He further noted that while fencing all conservation areas is desirable, scientific findings have raised concerns that such measures could disrupt natural wildlife migration patterns, breeding, and genetic diversity.
“Already, electric fences have been constructed in some parts of the country to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts,” the Deputy Minister said.
He mentioned specific completed fence projects, including 33 kilometres along the boundary between Ikorongo Game Reserve and six villages in Serengeti District, 12 kilometres within the Mwinihana-Magombera corridor in Udzungwa, and 16 kilometres in Ngorongoro District, Karatu.
In his supplementary question, Mr Getere pressed the government to clarify when villages in his constituency would be fenced and when residents who had suffered losses caused by wild animals would receive compensation.
In response, Mr Kitandula said the villages in Bunda are included in the government’s second phase of the fencing project, which was temporarily halted following complaints that parts of the proposed fence line encroached on community grazing lands.
“A joint task force has been formed to conduct public awareness campaigns on the importance of the fencing project before the next phase resumes,” he said.
On the matter of compensation, Mr Kitandula explained that assessment exercises in some affected areas have already been completed, and the government is in discussions with the Ministry of Finance to facilitate payments.
During the session, Special Seats MP Norah Mzeru (CCM) raised concerns over increasing incidents involving elephants, particularly with the upcoming election season, while Kiteto MP Edward Olelekaita said four people had been killed by elephants in his constituency.
In response, Mr Kitandula reiterated the government’s commitment to public safety, stating that a special task force had already been deployed to Kiteto to contain the situation.
“Despite the challenges, the government will do everything in its power to safeguard the lives and well-being of Tanzanians,” he assured.
For More News And Analysis About Tanzania Follow Africa-Press
