Tanapa avails 4bn/- to perk up new parks

DAILY NEWS Reporter

TANZANIA National Parks Authority (TANAPA)’s Board of Trustees has approved a budget of 3.9bn/- to be used for strengthening conservation, promoting tourism and constructing infrastructure in five new national parks.

The move follows issuance of a Government Notice by the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism which elevated the game reserves into national parks.

The Minister, Dr Khamis Kigwangala, had earlier made the announcement when winding up budget estimates for the ministry for fiscal year 2018/2019, during the budget session of the National Assembly on May 22, this year, in Dodoma.

Dr Kigwangala then mentioned the game reserves which have been upgraded into national parks as Biharamulo, Burigi, Kimisi, Ibanda and Rumanyika.

TANAPA’s Chief Conservation Officer, Mr Damian Saru made the revelation when briefing the Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Japhet Hasunga, who is on a three-day working tour of Biharamulo, Burigi and Kimisi parks in Kagera Region.

The Deputy Minister is making a follow up on progress made by TANAPA in developing the former game reserves into national parks. Mr Saru said some of the approved funds will be used to strengthen security and demarcation of the parks in collaboration with surrounding communities.

“We also expect to use the money to put in place favourable infrastructure for tourism and administration, installation of electronic payment systems as well as preparing and developing the tourism attractions,” he said.

According to the official,there has been some progress in improving the parks including deployment of 58 game warders to beefup security in the five new national parks, noting further that a grader has been arranged to improve the road networks within the parks.

In addition, other equipment including one aircraft, four vehicles, tents, firearms and GPS (geographical positioning system) have been dispatched to improve day-to-day operations. During the short period of executing the government notice 41, herds of cattle were seized in addition to arrest of 12 suspected poachers.

The Deputy Minister praised TANAPA and the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) for achievements they recorded during the transition period. Mr Hasunga tasked TANAPA to ensure the roads within the parks are improved before the next rainfall season and called upon investors to show up and start providing services such as accommodation and meals.

Biharamulo, Burigi and Kimisi were established in 1963, they stretch in six districts of Kagera and Geita regions while Ibanda and Rumanyika where established in 1974 in Kyerwa District, bordering 40 villages.