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Usangu Game Reserve cleared of cattle herders
2006-06-26 09:02:40
By Kasembeli Albert
The full-scale military National Anti-Livestock Operation, aimed at evicting herdsmen from game reserves, water catchment areas and other protected areas in the country is in progress and has so far attained 90 per cent success.
In Usangu Game Reserve, a heavily armed combined contingent of regular police, anti-poaching unit and game wardens has cleared the Ihefu Wetland of hundreds of pastoralists with over 300,000 head of cattle who moved out voluntarily.
Mbeya Regional Commissioner John Mwakipesile told reporters last week that the operation, which began on May 18 would continue indefinitely to ensure the wetland is restored to guarantee the perennial flow of the Great Ruaha River.
Mwakipesile said the central government had so far allocated 200m/- to ensure the operation was sustained because of the importance attached to the Ihefu Wetland as a reservoir for the Great Ruaha River and the hydro-electric power generation.
Despite the voluntarily departure from the wetland, some 1,500 head of livestock were impounded and the owners fined a total of 14,450,000/-.
’’We will not allow them back even during the dry season.
We are trying as much as possible to avoid confrontation,’’ said the head of the operation, Officer Commanding District (OCD), Senior Superintendent of Police Komba Nonosius.
The unprecedented operation involves heavy weaponry, ground and occasional air backup and patrol.
Nonosius who was briefing reporters, however declined to give the actual number of security personnel involved in the operation.
’’We have enough soldiers. But in an event of the need for more, we will reinforce. We have the capacity,’’ said the operation’s chief.
Addressing the press in his office, Mbarali District Commissioner Msagama Dololo said the government would not relent on the operation until the Ihefu Wetland gets restored to ensure a perennial flow of the Great Ruaha River.
To secure the game reserve, Dololo said the security personnel had set up camps at Ulanga, Nyota and Ikonga, from where day and night operations are anchored.
The DC said though majority of the herders had moved out, some were operating within the reach of the game reserve.
The operation is part of the government’s strategy to restore the flow and water levels of the Great Ruaha River by 2010. This is expected to guarantee hydro-electric power generation at the Mtera Dam and others.
Usangu Game Reserve Manager Roman Masawe said besides the operation, the government has plans to upgrade the facility into a national game park.
With the status, Masawe noted that the Tanzania National Park Authority (TANAPA) has the capacity, resources and the legal mandate to ensure the area is protected from invaders.
’’Besides general conservation, this is the only way we can ensure continuous and sustainable flow of the Great Ruaha River by 2010,’’ said Masawe.
However, he expressed optimism that though the operation had recorded initial success, trouble could begin in July when the entire region would be experiencing dry spell and the herders could force their way back.
He said he expected violet confrontation at this stage during the operation. ’’This is not a simple assignment.
It requires a great deal of power. It has been difficult, not many people have been arrested and fined,’’ he cautioned.
He said the only solution to save the Ihefu Wetland is the planned annexure of Usangu Game Reserves to Ruaha National Park.
Dololo divulged that so far 70, 000 pastoralists had been forced or voluntarily move out of the Usangu Game Reserve.
However, he regretted they have created spillover conflicts in Rukwa, Songea, Mafinga, Chunya District and other areas where they have been relocated to.
The DC said the pastoralists were also complaining of lack of cattle dips, dams and watering points in the areas where they have sought refuge.
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