The Wildlife conservation in Tanzania dates back in 1891, when laws controlling hunting were first enacted by the German rule. These laws regulated the off take, hunting methods and trade in wildlife, with some endangered species being fully protected. Selous Game Reserve was the first game reserve established in 1905 by the Germans and was gazetted in 1922. Game Reserves were chosen mainly for their concentration of big game rather than their biological diversity.
The British Government established the Game Department in 1921. The role of the game department was to administer game reserves, enforce hunting regulation and protect people and crops from problem animals. Later on Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti Game Reserve were established in 1928 and 1929 respectively.
Tanganyika was famous for its species diversity, numbers specifically of big game, and spectacular landscapes. In those early days it attracted a steady stream of wealthy hunters. The tourist hunting industry dates back in 1946 when game controlled areas were established and divided into hunting blocks whereby Professional hunters and their clients could hunt trophy animals.
In 1961 there were three (3) National Parks, nine (9) Game Reserves and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After independence it was the policy of the Government to continue with the extension of the Game Reserves and National Parks, and many new parks and reserves were gazetted.
Functions of the wildlife sector
Regulation
– Administration and regulation of wildlife and wetlands laws,
– Formulation of sound Policy, strategies and programmes for policy implementation
– Issue and administer all types of wildlife resources user rights and trading licenses
– Administer management plans for Wildlife PAs and Ramsar sites.
Facilitation and coordination
– Coordinate and monitor policy implementation and give due recognition to operations of other sectors policies
– Promotion of participation of stakeholders in conservation and sustainable utilization of wildlife and wetland resources,
– Promotion of wildlife and wetlands resources for economic development, and
– Promotion of information sharing and exchange of expertise nationally, regionally and internationally.
Service provider
– Provide technical know how to stakeholders
– Provide professional standards in conservation
Mandates
Administratively the wildlife sector has divided its mandates into Central and Local Governments. The Central Government includes ministries, executive agencies, NCAA, TANAPA Parastatal organization and independent departments, while the Local Government includes District Councils, Wards and Village Councils. The role of Central Governments is to provide clear national policy and regulatory framework stimulate and promote participation of various stakeholders in the implementation of policy, manage core wildlife protected areas and providing professional standards and technical assistance in conservation and utilization of resources.
Agencies Responsible in Managing the Wildlife and Wetlands in Tanzania
Wildlife Division (WD) is responsible for the management of Game Reserves (GRs), Game Controlled Areas (GCAs) and all wildlife outside protected area boundaries and Wetlands. Also the WD facilitates the establishment of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), creates awareness and disseminates information about wildlife management to the village communities in their village lands.
Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) is a parastatal organization responsible for the management of National Parks.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) a parastatal organization responsible for the management of Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
District Councils are responsible for conservation of wildlife outside national parks, game reserves and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and protect people’s lives and properties from dangerous and destructive wild animals.
Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) administer wildlife research in Tanzania with an overall objective of providing scientific information and advice to the government and wildlife management authorities on the sustainable conservation of wildlife.
College of African Wildlife Management MWEKA (CAWM) provides need-based training to protected area and wildlife managers by offering a variety of awards for long courses in Wildlife Management.
Policy and Legal Framework
Laws relevant to wildlife conservation include the Wildlife Conservation Act No. 5 of 2009 and its subsidiary legislations:
– Ngorongoro Conservation Act (CAP 284 R.E. 2002)
– Tanzania National Parks Act (CAP 282 R.E. 2002)
– Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute Act (CAP 260 R.E. 2002)
– Mweka CAP R.E.2002)
– The Environmental Management Act 2004
– The Regulation of Land Tenure (Established Villages Act (CAP 267 R.E. 2002)
– Local Government (District Authorities) Act (CAP 287 R.E. 2002)
– Natural Resources Act (CAP 259 R.E. 2002)
– Forest Act No. 14 2002
– Fisheries Act (CAP 279 R.E. 2002)
– Tanzania Forest Research Institute Act (CAP 277 R.E. 2002)
– Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute Act (CAP 280 R.E. 2002)
– National Museum of Tanzania Act (CAP 281 R.E. 2002).
Website: http://www.wildlife.go.tz/
Contact us
Ministry’ Telephone
+255 22 2861870 /1/2/3/
Telephone Numbers
+255 22 2864216 – Mhe Waziri,
+255 22 2864227 – Mhe Naibu Waziri
+255 22 2864230 – Katibu Mkuu,
+255 22 2861874 – Naibu Katibu Mkuu
+255 22 2864236 – Mkurugenzi wa Utawala
+255 22 864249 – Mkurugenzi Misitu na Nyuki.
+255 22 2864258 – Mkurugenzi wa Mambo ya Kale,
+255 22 2864267 – Idara ya Mambo ya Kale,
+255 22 2864271 – Mkurugenzi Utalii,
+255 22 2864275 – Idara ya Utalii,
+255 22 2864241 – Mkurugenzi Sera na Mipango,
+255 22 2864243 – Mhasibu Mkuu,
+255 22 2864239 – Ukaguzi wa Ndani,
+255 22 2864247 – Kitengo cha Ugavi,
+255 22 864238 – Mwanasheria,
+255 22 2864257 – Mshauri wa Misitu.
Namba za Fax / Fax Numbers
+255 22 2864217 – Mhe Waziri
+255 22 2864234 – Katibu Mkuu,
+255 22 2864237 – DAHRM,
+255 22 2864246 – Mhasibu Mkuu
+255 22 2864255 – Mkurugenzi – Misitu na Nyuki,
+255 22 2864259 – Mkurugenzi – Mambo ya Kale,
+255 22 2864272 – Mkurugenzi- Utalii
Email: [email protected]
Address:
Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism
Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) Agency
Mpingo House,
40 Nyerere Road,
15472, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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