The Magu District Commissioner, Mr. Salum Kalli reiterated the Presidential Directive of supporting ecosystem restoration as one of the strategies to combat climate change in the United Republic of Tanzania.
During the United Nations Climate Change Conference in the United Kingdom in 2021, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan called global decision-makers to consider financing of climate change as preventive measure against adverse climate change risks.
Tanzania developed a national climate change strategy in response to the growing concerns of the negative impacts of climate change and climate variability on the country’s socio-economic and physical environment. National Adaptation programme and effective communication to residents of Tanzania, according to the Strategy, contributed to “better understanding of the present and future impact of climate change and possible opportunities,” (United Republic of Tanzania, 2012).
Leadership at all levels has utilizes every gathering opportunity – formal and informal – to deliver similar messages to local residents: “Let us join hand with the President by embracing ecosystem restoration as a way of combating climate change in the Country,” urged the DC during the official opening ceremony of National Training Workshop on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Catchment Management held in Magu District, Mwanza Region, United Republic of Tanzania from 31st January to 1st February 2022.
“As we are aware that a good percentage of contribution factors to climate change are caused by human activities and for that matter let us desist from unhealthy practices that promote climate change,” he told participants to the training. He also emphasized, “we should embrace and welcome healthy and good practices making us more resilient to climate change.”
He expressed his gratitude towards the Adaptation to Climate Change in Lake Victoria Basin implemented in four EAC Partner States, Tanzania included. He commended such projects geared towards helping the community combat the impact of draught and improve their livelihood.
He further called residents to own the project and expressed his commitment towards the success of the project. He also urged the community to be ambassadors of change and encouraged them to take the knowledge from this training to fellow members of the community who didn’t get the opportunity to attend. “Let us make Tanzania shine in the entire East Africa by setting good example through successful implementation of the project so that they can come and learn from us,” he pleaded with the community.
The national Training workshop was facilitated by LVBC through the Project Consultant, Prof. James Okot Okumu Catchment Management and Adaptation Expert. The objective of the training was to equip the participants with better understanding of their water catchments; Climate and Climate change issues within their catchment; how climate change affects water catchment (people, ecosystems, environment, agriculture, etc.); and how they can adapt to climate change- with emphasis on Ecosystem based adaptation.
Mr. Essey Daniel, the Project Task Manager from UNEP who also attended the training applauded the commitment of the participants more specifically gender inclusion in the preparation and implementation of the training workshop. He also applauded the inclusion of school-going children into the project implementation as reinforces project sustainability, after all, “these are future change ambassadors,”Mr. Essey said.
He also had the opportunity to visit the project site and interviewed the project beneficiaries to get their views about the project. He was pleased with the progress of implementation and the commitment of the community to the project.
Also in attendance were the ACC-LVB Regional Project Management from LVBC, Magu District Executive, Officials from the Vice President Office, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of water, Officials from Magu District and Ng’haya Village, representatives from the local community groups, and extension official from Ng’haya Village.
The project is supporting Drilling and construction of 3 New boreholes and rehabilitation of one for supplementary micro irrigation for rice farming intensification and improving water security of the community. Installation of Roof top rain water harvesting at Busalanga Primary and Ng’haya Secondary School. Installation of greenhouse technology and establishment of two tree nurseries to supply tree seedlings as well as introduction of modern climate-smart beekeeping technology where a total of 149 beehives have been supplied and installed.
