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DC roots for preservation of Kisarawe natural forests
2008-03-25 09:19:17
By Amri Lugungulo, PST, Kisarawe
Kisarawe District Commissioner Khanifa Karamagi has urged residents in the district to be on their guard against illegal harvesters of forest products in the Kazimzumbwi and Pugu forests.
Addressing a public rally here last week, the district commissioner said people should control the amount of firewood, charcoal, timber and building materials taken from the forests to preserve an important natural resource for current and future use.
Elaborating, she said the two forests played a crucial part in cleaning polluted air emanating from industrial fumes in Dar es Salaam city and also contained tree species which were unique in the world.
`The colonialists knew this when they were in our country and hence we have to carry on this beneficial task,`` she said.
Kisarawe District Council Chairman Omar Dibibi called for concerted efforts in conserving the environment in order to stem droughts and their negative consequences.
Meanwhile, Kisarawe Water Board chairperson Maud Kuga has announced a major operation to collect a debt of 11m/- in outstanding bills from its customers which had gone unpaid from 2005.
``We will do our berst to make sure water is available in all areas, but we will first start collecting debts from our customers including the District Commissioner’s office, as her office owes us a substantial amount of money,`` she told the rally.
Acting District Water Engineer Majid Mtili said the board would strive to better their services to all consumers in the district.
``Last year the district faced an acute shortage of water due to scarce rains and, as a result, some of the dams and water sources dried up including Kanga (Maneromango) Kurui water source, the Minaki dam and some deep and shallow wells,`` he said.
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