UNDP-GEF EAST AFRICAN
CROSSBORDER BIODIVERSITY PROJECT IN COLLABORATION WITH TANZANIA
ASSOCIATION OF FORESTERS (TAF) PARTICIPATION IN THE SIGNING OF TREATY
FOR EAST AFRICAN COOPERATION (EAC)
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"JINUFAISHE KIUCHUMI
BILA KUHARIBU MAZINGIRA |
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Tribute to Late Mwl. J.K. Nyerere |
Executive summary |
Biodiversity Conservation within EA Countries |
TAF |
CAMARTEC |
Massao and Family tree nursery |
KAKUTE Limited |
TEMDO |
NWRC |
KIWAKA |
THE signing of the Treaty for the re-establishment of the East African Community (EAC) fits well within the philosophy of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, a staunch advocate of co-operation among developing countries.
Mwalimu, who died at St. Thomas hospital in London in October 14 last year campaigned for the establishment of regional economic groupings geared towards sustainable utilization of available resources. He was the Chairman of the Geneva-based South Commission which studied the problems of underdevelopment mainly in the third world countries and recommended ways of speeding up these countries’ development. The Commission’s report outlined several ways of addressing imbalances in existing international economic relations which are lopsided in favour of the developed countries.
Mwalimu Nyerere believed in what the report called collective self-reliance among third world countries. These countries should initially look inward and exhaust capacities existing within the South before looking elsewhere.
The collapse of the East African Community in 1977 greatly saddened Mwalimu Nyerere, who worked hard to transform the organization into an economic grouping. Nyerere saw the EAC as the first step towards the political federation of the three East African countries.
During the struggle for the independence of
Tanganyika, the then mainland part
of Tanzania, Nyerere is quoted to have said that he was ready to delay his country's'’ independence if this could speed up the independence of Kenya and
Uganda. Nyerere’s dream of an East African Federation culminated in the April
1964 union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, so far the only living example of
political merger between two African countries.
But several factors contributed to frustrate
Nyerere’s wish to have a politically-united East Africa. Tanzania was by then
pursuing socialist policies, which were opposed by Kenya’s free market
economic strategies. The overthrow of Uganda’s Milton Obote by Idi Amin and
his policies further frustrated moves to fully integrate the economies of the
three countries.
It has taken the three countries quite a long time to work out the modalities for a new economic grouping. Past mistakes have been avoided as the new EAC takes off. The signing of the Treaty for a new East African Community is a fitting tribute to the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.
SOURCE: EAC
Treaty signing Arusha
Nov.30th
1999.
The East African regional Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi
exhibition which was held from 29th
November to 2nd December, 1999 in Arusha to mark the auspicious
occasion of the signing of the
Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community involved the three
E.A. countries namely Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The UNDP-GEF East African Crossborder Biodiversity
project which operates in the three
countries was among the exhibitors. The
project has an overall objective of reducing the rate of loss of forests and
wetland biodiversity in specific cross border sites of national and global
significance in East Africa. The
project recognises the potential of different sectors, NGOs, Community Based
Organisations and individuals efforts aiming at creation of employment and
alleviating poverty in order to save biodiversity
values.
This vision together with support from UNDP-GEF East
African Crossborder Biodiversity Project under the supervision of Tanzania
Association of Foresters (TAF) a number of stakeholders participated in the
exhibition to promote their enterprises aiming at reducing biodiversity loss.
The exhibitors represented individuals, Government
institutions and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as follows:-
(a)
Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation and Rural Technology (CAMARTEC)
(b)
MASSAO and FAMILY Tree Nursery
(c)
KAKUTE Limited: (Appropriate Technology Dissemination Company)
(d)
Tanzania Engineering and Manufacturing
Design Organisation (TEMDO)
(e)
Njiro Beekeeping Research Centre
(f)
Kikundi cha wafugaji Karatu (KIWAKA) – group of livestock keepers
Karatu)
A number of items from the different exhibitors were
displayed for demonstration purposes. Details of the items exhibited are covered
under each institution / organisation sub-heading.
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION WITHIN EAST AFRICAN COUNTRIES
For long “conservation” has been taken by communities to be similar to “don’ts” on natural resources. This was the policy perspective of old time conservationists. The last decade of this century has practiced, and endorsed the friendly side of conservation. Conservation means sustainable utilisation of our natural resources and the environment.
The “do” side of conservation. Use of natural resources only for survival of all of us.
The UNDP-GEF East African Crossborder Biodiversity project supports the three East African Governments in capacity building at focal border Districts in order to support local communities to manage effectively the use of their natural resources within focal sites.
This can only be done by building on the existing government machinery and indigenous or traditional knowledge and practices. The small scale business communities have the major task to bring supplies into balance of both resources and facilities that are used to consume the resources.
In appreciation of the role played by Jua Kali and Nguvu Kazi to community development project to supported both NGOs, private and public sectors to demonstrate how one can earn money while conserving the environment. These experiences will be adopted in project focal areas and by willing stakeholders.
We have to conserve our Global
Environment by addressing peoples needs
and acting as the local conditions dictate.
J.
Salehe
Project
Manager
1.0
TANZANIA ASSOCIATION OF FORESTERS (TAF)
1.1
Introduction
Association does all within its mandates powers to see that forest and environment is professionally managed and “sustainably” utilised i.e. for the benefits of present and future generation.
1.2
Role and services
(a)
Promotion of forestry and other related issues on environment
(b)
Provides
knowledge and technical services on all aspects of forestry and environment
conservation
(c)
Provide
technical advice in forestry and environment conservation
(d)
Advocating useful engagement and self employment to promote conservation
(e)
Advocating economic engagement, Institution and individuals that adopts
association advice and guidance, reaps wealth from sales resulting in produce
and services.
(f)
Provide consultancy services in the field of Natural Resources including
Biodiversity and human resources thereto.
(g)
Raising alarm on misuse of Natural Resources and the adverse effects on
environment and also on professional misconduct amongst practising foresters.
(h)
Advocates remedial measures to degraded forestland and to unprofessional
practices in forestry.
(i)
Link to Agroforestry, Agropastoralism, Beekeeping including melipoculture
(husbandry of stingless bees) and other related improved land uses.