WB experts call upon tree planting to mitigate climate change effects

04Dec 2023
The Guardian Reporter
News
The Guardian
WB experts call upon tree planting to mitigate climate change effects

A TEAM of experts from the World Bank responsible for supervision of the Resilient Natural Resource Management for Tourism and Growth (REGROW) was engaged in a tree planting exercise at the Mikumi National Park as part climate change mitigation measures.

Speaking shortly after the tree planting exercise, World Bank’s REGROW project supervisor, Dr Enos Esikuri said they have decided to plant the trees as part of education programmes to villagers surrounding the park on the importance of caring for the environment.

 

“We wanted to educate the public on sustainable ecological conservation especially at national parks and other areas that are being conserved in accordance with the laws,” he added.

 

Dr Esikuri said that Mikumi National Park contributes immensely to Tanzania’s economic growth; hence the need to ensure its natural ecology is sustainably conserved.

 

He said that conservation of the environment as well as the ecological system is important for the survival of wild animals which are a great tourist’s attraction for both local and foreign visitors. He said funds resulting from tourism activities are in-turn used to improve provision of social services to Tanzanians as well as their welfare.

 

Dr Esikuri noted that planting of the trees compliments the various efforts by the government to improve the Mikumi National Park which includes construction and upgrading of the Kikoboga airstrip, a project which is under the REGROW project.

 

REGROW, the $150 million (about 350bn/-) is a six-year project implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism gearing to transform the tourism sector in the Southern Circuit.

 

Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) Eastern Zone Senior Deputy Conservation Commissioner, Massana Mwishawa commended the World Bank for continuing to support efforts to transform the tourism sector in the country’s southern circuit.

 

Mwishawa said the authority will make sure that all the planted trees are taken care of accordingly.

 

“We are grateful to the World Bank for supporting our various efforts in conserving the ecological system and the environment. The tree you have planted here will be taken care of for the sustainability of our park as well as tourists visiting Mikumi National Park,” added the Conservation Commissioner.

 

Mid last week, the WB team of experts expressed satisfaction with implementation of the REGROW project saying it is executed in one of the biggest conservation areas in Africa including the Nyerere national park which is an important heritage to Africans.

 

 

 

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