NATIONAL OVERVIEW OF PROTECTED AREAS IN TANZANIA AND THEIR TOURISM POTETIALS PRESENTED BY MR. ALLAN J.H. KIJAZI (DIRECTOR GENERAL- TANZANIA NATIONAL PARKS)
BACKGROUND Tanzania has set aside 40.5% of her land for conservation, ccategorized as a mega-diversity nation Globally it is only second to Brazil in terms of natural resources attractiveness. Examples-Kilimanjaro tallest free standing Mountain in the World, with six World climatic zones -from the tropics to the Arctic. -Serengeti National Park- world s largest wildlife migration (1.5 million wildebeest) accompanied by 200,000 zebra and 300,000 gazelles. -Ngorongoro Conservation Area-a world famous caldera with the highest density of a variety of wild game. -Selous Game Reserve-the largest PA and biggest herds of elephants -Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli Footprints-the cradle of mankind and the traces of footprints that belonged to the first walking hominid dating 3.5 million years
Wildlife Protected Areas These attractions are managed by three institutions: Tanzania National Parks, whose mandate is conservation through non-consumptive utilization (photographic safaris) The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, whose mandate is to conserve through non-consumptive utilization (photographic safaris and pastoralist development) Wildlife Division, whose mandate is to conserve and sustainably promote consumptive utilization through pre-set hunting quotas in Game Reserves and Game Controlled Areas.
OTHER NON-WILDLIFE ATTRACTIONS Unique 804 km of finest unpolluted beaches; Lakes i.e. Lake Victoria-the biggest lake in Africa, Lake Tanganyika- the longest and second deepest lake in the World and Lake Nyasa Zanzibar Islands (Pemba and Unguja), one of the world s best beaches, with very beautiful historic buildings (for example Stone Town). Seven attractions have been designated the status of world heritage sites, namely the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Selous Game Reserve, Zanzibar Stone Town, the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara, and Kondoa Rock Art Paintings. With more than one hundred and twenty ethnic groups, the country is free from ethnic and religious tensions, and its people are friendly with a charm of African hospitality.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM-FIRST POST INDEPENDENCE ERA Strengthening Capacity for Protected Area Management;1961-1971 The Government took full control of the tourism industry. The survival of our wildlife is a matter of grave concern to all of us in Africa. These wild creatures amid the wild places they inhabit are not only important as a source of wonder and inspiration but are an integral part of our natural resources and of our future livelihood and well being. In accepting the trusteeship of our wildlife we solemnly declare that we will do everything in our power to make sure that our children s grand-children will be able to enjoy this rich and precious inheritance. The conservation of wildlife and wild places calls for specialist knowledge, trained manpower, and money, and we look to other nations to co-operate with us in this important task the success or failure of which not only affects the continent of Africa but the rest of the world as well.
What were/are the Successes of the First Era? Establishment of College of African Wildlife Management as a pioneer institution for the training of African Wildlife Managers. Since then the college has become a leader in providing quality wildlife management training in Africa. Strengthening of the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) responsible for carrying out, coordinating and supervising all wildlife research in the country. Extensive expansion of protected areas network. This is exemplified by the expansion of national parks system from three when we got independence in 1961 to fifteen currently. Challenges-tourism was very low -there were no clear policies, procedures and guidelines to promote -private sector and community participation in tourism
2 nd Post-Independence Era: Private Sector and Community Engagement 1990s economic reforms-led to actively promote tourism as an important economic sector - paving way for the private sector and communities involvement - Developing of the 1991 Tourism Policy, which was reviewed in 1999 to ensure private sector investment, environmental conservation and consumer protection. The Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) was also established in 1997 to provide investment incentives across various sectors, including tourism.
What are the Successes of these Initiatives? Strengthening of the private Sector through establishment of the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT) in 2000 New investments in accommodation, restaurants and other facilities of international standard Tourism became one of the fastest growing sectors at 12%, contributing about 17.2% of the GDP and 41.7% of foreign exchange earnings. Increase in direct employment- estimated at 377,000 direct jobs in 2011 (3.7%) of total employment), expected to rise to 497, 000 jobs (3.9%) by 2021. Jobs indirectly supported by the industry- 1,124,000 jobs (11.2% of total employment) in 2011 to 1,477,000 jobs (11.7%) by 2021. Challenges in Tourism Trends-heavy dependence on wildlife tourism -heavy concentration on northern circuit -heavy dependence on international tourism
Instruments in Ensuring Tourism Sustainability in National Parks General Management Plans Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Investments are guided by TANAPA Development and Action Lease Procedures Enabling Environment for Community Benefits Through Community Outreach Programme-conservation education and support for Community Initiated Projects The programme is now being expanded to support environmentally friendly income generating projects (IGPs) Facilitate communities in establishing Wildlife Management Areas in village lands
Current Situation and Challenges It is stimulating additional value-added activities (leisure, entertainment, shopping-traditional cultural activities, tourist services, handicrafts and SME s). It is increasing value added content of existing locally produced goods and services and strengthening linkages with other productive and service sectors (backward and forward linkages) with other sectors It is generating employment directly in the tourism sector and indirectly in the production and services sectors linked to tourism. It is generally increasing the earnings of people (local) involved in the sector and its related activities. Challenge- According to Euromonitor International (2010), travel and tourism in Tanzania remains relatively untapped despite the unique beauty that the country has to offer.
What is the Government Doing? Economic Empowerment of Local communities/local Private Sector: National Economic Empowerment Policy of 2004-creating a favourable environment for investments and economic growth with a specific focus on sectors such as tourism. The purpose is to ease availability of capital in order to enable more Tanzanians to access loans (schemes such as the Small Entrepreneurs Loan Facility (SELF), and the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Credit Guarantee Scheme are being used. Such schemes are crucial in boosting tourism in the country through investment.
Measures--ctd Recognition of private properties and protection against any noncommercial risks through membership to Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the International Centre for Investment Settlement Disputes (ICSID) Unrestricted rights to international arbitration in case of disputes with the government. Unrestricted rights to repatriate 100 percent of foreign exchange earned profits and capital. Diversifying tourism development and products to other areas of Tanzania to relieve pressure in the north Engaging in more active tourism publicity and marketing arrangements both domestically and internationally Strengthening tourism institutions and enhancing coordination among tourist service delivery participants
Conclusion Protected areas of Tanzania are unique and offer a plethora of opportunities to driving the economy of the country. After independence the country started with laying the right foundation for tapping existing potentials, and in the 199s deliberate efforts were made to tap those potentials. Results of those initiatives are now evident, but there is a lot more to be done. This however has to be done cautiously in order to ensure that all tourism programmes established are socially acceptable, economically optimal and ecologically sound.