Press Releases

USAID Provides US$1.5 million for Ugalla Conservation Program

June 29, 2006

Director also hands over two new office buildings, radio communications equipment and heavy-duty truck to support conservation of the Ugalla Ecosystem

On June 28, 2006, The United States Agency for International Development helped launch a five year, US$1.5 million Community Conservation Project for 2005-2010 for the Ugalla Ecosystem in Nsogolo Village, Urambo District. With support from the U.S. NGO, Africare, the funds will be used to promote biodiversity conservation, by improving the livelihoods of communities in Urambo, Sikonge, Uyui and Mpanda districts. The project will consolidate and expand on previous USAID investment in the Ugalla ecosystem by supporting communities as they apply the government’s Wildlife Management Area (WMA) regulations enacted in November, 2002, piloted in 16 WMAs and only recently (April 2006) approved for Authorized Association (AA) status. During this event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr. Salehe Pamba, issued AA certificates to two of only four WMAs that have been established in the country, Uyumbu and Ipole, and inaugurated the Uyumbu WMA administrative office, constructed with support from USAID. As a result of their establishment, two Tanzania community based organizations are now empowered to manage and benefit on behalf of the community from the use of the areas’ natural resources.

Related to these efforts, on June 27, the Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Tanzania, Ms. Pamela White, conveyed to the Government of Tanzania’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, a newly-constructed office building for the Ugalla Game Reserve, a seven-ton heavy-duty truck, a modern radio communications system, and various office equipment and field supplies at a colorful ceremony held in Tabora. These contributions represent the culmination of a seven-year, $3.6 million dollar USAID Environment and Natural Resources Management program in the Ugalla Ecosystem that was supported by USAID between 1998 and 2005. The overall purpose of the program was to improve the physical infrastructure of selected game posts, strengthen the capacity of wildlife officials and increase awareness of the importance of community-based conservation throughout the Ugalla Ecosystem.

The Director of USAID in Tanzania, Pamela White, speaking before the assembled guests and officials, commented that “The American Government is fully committed to working in partnership with the Tanzanian Government and people to conserve natural resources and protect the environment. It is especially important that all Tanzanians, including young girls and boys and women, are a part of and benefit from community conservation efforts. ” Mr. Salehe Pamba, the guest of honor at the ceremony, thanked the Government and the people of the United States for their support, saying, “These efforts will greatly improve conservation and reduce the poaching of wildlife in the Ugalla Game Reserve and will help ensure that communities living around the Reserve are actively involved in protecting the resources on which their livelihoods depend.”

Since 1998, more than 2,000 farmers in Tabora and Rukwa Regions have earned almost seven million dollars from a variety of sustainable conservation activities including beekeeping and fish farming. Collaborating with the U.S. Department of the Interior, USAID also supported vital law enforcement training of Ugalla Game Reserve personnel, Village Game Scouts and Western Zonal anti-poaching units.