AfricaPress-Tanzania: IT is a new dawn for Geita Region as the second largest forest currently identified as Silayo Forest Plantation is anticipated to create 30,000 jobs and contribute largely in the socio-economic development of the country.
The 69,756 hectares of land was formerly known as Chato Forest Plantation before President John Magufuli named it Silayo Forest after the Tanzania Forest Services Agencies (TFS) Chief Executive Officer Professor Dos Santos Silayo.
The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Damas Ndumbaro at an event to inaugurate the forest yesterday in Geita Region noted that for the past four years over 800 jobs have been created there.
“If the whole forest is fully tapped, it will create over 30,000 jobs benefiting the people around Chato and other surrounding areas,” said Dr Ndumbaro.
Elaborating, he further said the forest is expected to act as a catalyst for the development of forestry and bee industries, which are in line with the government’s drive of industrializing the country.
The Minister further said they have allocated 10,000 hectares to support the plantation of special trees’ which are significant as flag poles.
According to him, the move is response to the President’s directive that they stop ordering poles from outside the country.
Based on that, the Minister pledged to strongly uphold the protection of forests while focusing on the development of the ecology.
While addressing the public, Dr Ndumbaro praised the President for leading in the protection and management of forests in the country, saying the move is introducing the paramilitary system.
Earlier, the Minister pointed out that for the past four years the forest sector contributed 373bn/- in the government’s coffers.
“For a longtime now, the Mafinga Council has been benefiting from tree planting…annually the Council generates 1.3bn/- from the sector,” he added.
Elaborating, Dr Ndumbaro considered the Silayo Forest as a one of its kind due to its mosaic form- a blend of natural and man-made forest, recommending the other 23 similar farms to emulate the practice.
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