THE European Union in collaboration with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have launched an improved forest ecosystem integrity targeting communities, to strengthen the government’s efforts to curb reckless tree felling.

 Lawrence Mbwambo, the WWF country office conservation manager, said at the programme launch that the project is intended to look into the natural energy value chain in relation to the use of firewood and charcoal.

Introduction of the project relates to the need to focus on the correct use of clean and safe energy in the community.

When implemented, the project results stand to boost government efforts in solving environmental degradation as the Tanzania Forestry Services (TFS) agency grapples with the loss of 469,000 hectares of forest patches every year from tree felling, with farm expansion and charcoal the key factors.

The loss has not only been affecting the environment, but also various types of plants and other forms of biodiversity, for species that are not found anywhere else in the world, he said, noting that the species have been introducing Tanzania to the outside world.

Public officials and other stakeholders involved in the forestry sector and its products need to closely cooperate in controlling exports of forest products, especially between the police force, the Energy ministry and TFS.

Sarinus Kessy, the project coordinator, said they intend to strengthen TFS capacity in patrol activities, management and policy improvements, where the project provisions include providing cars, boats and radio-call equipment.

This shall help in patrolling and capacity building training for agency staff and other related institutions working on forestry issues, he explained, underlining that the project is designed to take care of the environment and avert reckless tree felling and environmental damage.

Its implementation is expected to provide tools for forestry stakeholders including TFS |to fight illegal exporters of forest products and “simplify various operational activities inside and outside the forest reserves,” he said.

Venance Segere, the acting regional administrative secretary, said that illegal transporters of forest products including charcoal are flourishing, especially those who carry charcoal using motorcycles.

"These transporters have also been avoiding paying taxes, depriving the government of revenue, so it is important that TFS works to eradicate this illegal business,” he said.

Using motorcycles to carry charcoal is contrary to road use regulations, he said, emphasising the need for education to people in forest reserves in tandem with using the law to check this situation.

Morogoro, Mvomero and Kilosa districts are noticeable for reckless tree felling for charcoal while in Ulanga and Malinyi districts cutting down trees for timber is prevalent, the regional official noted, pointing out that Morogoro municipality leads the region in charcoal consumption.

Upwards of 20-round trips of motorcycle riders carry charcoal per day, which is equal to seven tonnes lorry and for which no taxes are paid, he stated, asserting that the government loses 4bn/- annually from illegal traders of forest products  including charcoal.

The various authorities and villages lack income, but the forests continue to be depleted by being harvested indiscriminately, he remarked.