Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

Tanzania hosts six out of the 25 globally known biodiversity hotspots. There is an extensive diversity of species, with at least 14,500 known and confirmed. The country is among 15, globally, with the highest number of endemic species [ ] 231 Mainstreaming biodiversity issues The Government has established environmental units in all Sector Ministries and continues to designate Environmental Management Officers at all levels of Local Government Authorities. Major programmes currently being implemented in the country have successfully main- streamed conservation issues. One example of these programmes is the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme, a trans- boundary project designed to achieve development and global environmen- tal objectives. The project aims to improve col- laborative management of trans- boundary natural resources of the Lake Victoria Basin and reduce environmental stress in the target- ed pollution hotspots and selected degraded sub-catchments. Its desired outcome is to improve the livelihoods of communities who depend on the natural resources of the basin. The programme has two components relating to biodiversity conservation – watershed management and point sources pollution control. Implemen- tation of these components ensures that the biodiversity of this important ecosystem is conserved. Another initiative, the Lake Tanganyika Integrated Management Project, aims to produce an effective and sustainable system for manag- ing and conserving the biodiversity of Lake Tanganyika and its basin. Biodiversity issues have been main- streamed in this programme through interventions related to catchment management and pollution control through wastewater management. Various sectors are also implement- ing programmes that are of relevance to conservation of biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation has been mainstreamed (explicitly or implicitly) in a number of national development frameworks, including Tanzania Development Vision 2025, the National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (2010–2015), and the National Environmental Action Plan (2013–2018). Relevant sectors have also taken measures to mainstream biodiversity into their policies, strategies and plans. The national education curriculum has integrated biodiversity knowledge in teaching and learning processes. In addition, participatory management of wildlife, forest and marine areas is being promoted to address the need for biodiversity conservation. Participatory management is a means to sustain livelihoods, particularly for poor communities. The use of alter- native energy sources such as biogas, briquettes, solar, wind and hydro- power is also being encouraged. Female lion chasing wildebeest at Ndutu United Republic of Tanzania L ocated in Eastern Africa and comprising Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, Tanzania is home to six out of the 25 global biodiversity hotspots. These vast biodiversity assets have the potential to contribute to the economy and to support human well-being. The Government has taken several actions to address loss of biodiversity. These include formulating, reviewing and mainstreaming of biodiversity issues into relevant national policies, strategies and legislation, along with expanding and managing the network of protected areas. Other areas of action are demarcating and protecting water catchment areas, promoting participatory management of biodiversity resources, and initiating programmes to protect threatened species such as black rhino and elephants. Diana Robinson on flickr