"POVERTY ALLEVIATION WHILST CONSERVING ENVIRONMENT AND BIODIVERSITY."

       PROCEEDINGS

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)
29TH NOVEMBER - 2ND DECEMBER 1999.

 

"JINUFAISHE KIUCHUMI BILA  KUHARIBU MAZINGIRA 
NA BIOANUWAI"

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

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

TRIBUTE TO MWALIMU

JULIUS  KAMBARAGE  NYERERE  

 

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.
                                                                

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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.  

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