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Illegal harvesting from Kisarawe forests continues unabated
2006-01-03 08:33:51
By Amri Lugungulo, PST, Kisarawe
Illegal harvesting of forest products in Kisarawe District, Coast Region continues unabated allegedly because it offers employment to the majority of the community members.
The District Natural Resources and Tourism officer, Waziri Mzara, told PST recently that some residents depend on harvesting forest products including charcoal, timber, building poles and logs for their livelihood.
Currently, a bag of charcoal is sold at between 10,000/- and 12,000/- at the market especially in Dar es Salaam, he said.
’I don’t think that illegal harvesting of forest products in the district can be stopped because most of the people claim that they have no alternative gainful employment to enable them obtain their daily bread,’ he said.
He said although the government has conducted crackdowns including enjoining stakeholders to participate in the control of the illegal activity, many people, especially those from outside the district, continued with illegal harvesting, particularly, in Pugu, Kazimzumbwi and Ruvu South forests.
Mzara said:’We have tried to request the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, last October and November to deploy its force to help control the wanton harvests to no avail. We have even tried utilizing our youths in the exercise, but also in vain.’
He said only a few illegal harvesters were arrested and legal action were taken against them while others ran away abandoning their bicycles in the forests.
He said five bicycles were seized by the youths and have been confiscated. They will be later auctioned after obtaining a permit from the district court.
The official said it was difficult to arrest the illegal harvesters of forest products because they were carrying out their activities at night, adding that some of the people set fire to the forest in frustration.
He called on the members of the public to continue participating in guarding the forests for the benefit of the nation.
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