MUYUNI conserved forest in South Unguja is under threat due to increasing land disputes over land use, it was revealed here.
On his prompt visit to the conserved
forest, Zanzibar’s Second Vice-President, Ambassador Seif Ali Iddi was
informed by people living close to natural vegetation that conflicting
views among citizens puts the forest in danger.
“Some areas of the land close to the
forest have been sold by ‘greedy people’ to investors, contrary to the
government order to conserve the forest,” members of the Muyuni villages
development committees informed Mr Iddi.
The committees members led by Mr Mzee
Salum Ayoub said greed for money at this time of increasing demand for
land by investors, should be blamed for the destruction of the forest.
Some people also use surrounding land for farming.
The surrounding villages of the
conserved forest, which include Muyuni A, B and C have been in conflict
over land use for the last eight years, despite frequent calls to unity
and protect the forest, an attraction for tourists.
In response to the complaints,
Ambassador Iddi promised to search for a lasting solution on the
conflict by involving community leaders, officers from the Ministry of
Agriculture.
The Deputy Principal Secretary in the
Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Bakar Assed, said it
was unfortunate that part of the conserved forest was now being used for
farming, contrary to the protection plans, and also a threat to
environment.
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