Tanzania's President Pledges to Balance Ngorongoro Conservation with Community Rights
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting the Ngorongoro Conservation Area while addressing the concerns of communities living in and around the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Speaking at State House Dodoma on 12 March after receiving findings from two government-appointed commissions, President Samia acknowledged shortcomings in the voluntary relocation programme that has seen residents moved to areas including Msomera and Saunyi. "We made mistakes in some areas and we will correct them," she said, adding that Ngorongoro remains a national priority. One commission, led by Court of Appeal Justice Gerald Ndika, examined land disputes within the conservation area, while a second chaired by retired Permanent Secretary Musa Iyombe reviewed the effectiveness of the relocation programme.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), is one of Africa's most celebrated wildlife destinations, encompassing the vast Ngorongoro Crater and supporting the Big Five - lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros. President Samia noted that the commission reports also revealed the presence of globally sought-after minerals within the area, further underscoring the need for sound conservation management. The government has indicated it will continue the relocation programme with improvements to better serve affected communities, while maintaining its obligations to protect the site for both national and international benefit.
Source: Daily News Tanzania