Environment is the heart of nation’s development

It is run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The lives of all Tanzanians are intimately connected to the environment: our survival and that of our future generations depends on the harmonious relationship with natural elements.

Tanzanians have no choice but strive to manage the environment and its natural resources in ways that enhance the potential for growth and opportunity for sustainable development of present and future generations. Tanzanians do not have the luxury of ignoring the fundamental stresses at the interface of development and environment.

Environmental problems are real and are not someone else’s problem. A health economy and a healthy environment go hand-in-hand . Both are needed for our survival and prosperity.

In 1997 Tanzania adopted the National Environment Policy. It provides the framework for making fundamental changes that are needed to bring environmental considerations into the mainstream of decision-making in Tanzania.

The main reasons for the deteriorating state of the national environment were identified as: inadequate land and water management at various management levels; inadequate financial and human resources; inequitable international terms of trade; the vulnerable nature of some local environments; the rapid growth of rural and urban population; inadequate institutional coordination; inadequate monitoring and information systems; inadequate involvement of major stakeholders.

The National Environmental Policy provides sectoral policy objectives for agriculture, livestock, water and sanitation, health, transport, energy, mining, human settlements, industry, tourism, wildlife, forestry, and fisheries, to mention but a few.

Under agriculture, the main objective is to ensure food security and the eradication of rural poverty through the promotion of production systems, technologies and practices that are environmentally sound.

Specific policy objectives include: the improvement of land husbandry through soil erosion control and soil fertility improvement; intensification and diversification of agricultural production; strengthening of environmentally sound land use, monitoring, registration and management of agrochemicals; improvement in water use efficiency in irrigation, including control of water logging and salinisation; promotion of integrated and holistic approaches through land use planning and management.

The main objective of the livestock sector is to stimulate the development of the livestock industry in the country, taking due regard of the environment, and includes the following policy objectives: the improvement and conservation of grazing lands and preservation of feed resources; restoration and protection of grazing lands, and promotion of rotational grazing; and promotion of mechanisms for resolving conflicts among different land use interests.

In the water, sewerage and sanitation sector, the policy objectives include planning and implementation of water resources and other development programmes in an integrated manner and in ways that protect water catchment areas and vegetation cover;

promotion of technology for efficient and safe water use, particularly for water and waste water treatment and recycling; institution of appropriate user charges that reflect the full value of water resources; prevention, reduction and control of pollution of the marine and coastal waters.

The Division of Environment in the Vice President's Office is the working-level cell of the ministry and undertakes policy analysis, develops policy choices to influence decision-making, coordinates broad-based environmental programmes, plans and projects, and facilitates meaningful involvement of civil society to broaden consensus and reduce insularity.

The National Environment Management Council (NEMC) is therefore the technical branch of the ministry and undertakes enforcement, compliance, review and monitoring of environmental impact assessment. It carries out environmental audits, research, surveys and investigations that will assist in the proper conservation and management of the environment.