Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Doto Biteko. Photo: Courtesy
Deputy PM Biteko Calls for Humane Forest Enforcement in Response to Emotional Pleas from MPs
By Adonis Byemelwa
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Doto Biteko, has called on Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) officers to recognize the value of human life in their operations. Emphasizing the need for humane enforcement, Biteko urged officers to apprehend and bring to justice those entering forests without permission, rather than resorting to violence, which can result in disability or death.
His statement, delivered on June 6, 2024, comes amid rising tensions and demands for accountability at the intersection of governance, human rights, and environmental conservation.
Speaking to the residents of Igulwa Ward in Bukombe District, Dr. Biteko, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bukombe, urged TFS Conservation Commissioner, Professor Dos Santos Silayo, to ensure that his officers understand the sanctity of life and refrain from unnecessary killings.
“There have been instances of fatalities. Tell your officers that the life of a Tanzanian is precious. They cannot kill people so easily. Their primary responsibility, among other things, is to apprehend these individuals and take them to legal authorities. Let people remain alive to face justice in court,” Biteko stated.
He also addressed the community, urging them to cease entering forests armed with weapons such as machetes and arrows, which they use to attack officers protecting the forests. Biteko reminded them that TFS officers are present in these areas lawfully and should not be provoked.
Regarding the Kigosi Moyowosi Game Reserve, which the residents of Bukombe have petitioned to use for activities such as beekeeping, Biteko called for patience.
He assured them that the government is addressing their requests, noting that the reserve spans 13,000 square kilometers and borders the regions of Shinyanga, Kigoma, Tabora, and Geita. Initially designated as a wildlife reserve, it was later upgraded to a national park, causing disruptions for local beekeepers.
Recognizing the significant honey trade in Bukombe, Biteko revealed that the reserve’s status has been downgraded from a national park to a forest reserve.
He has instructed the Ministers of Natural Resources and Minerals to visit Bukombe to explain the new procedures to the residents. The government, aware of the need for areas to conduct economic activities, will establish a suitable system to ensure the reserve benefits the community.
Beekeepers are encouraged to obtain permits through standard procedures to continue their activities, while those with other interests are advised to wait for further guidelines.
Some Bukombe residents hoped that opening the reserve would provide employment opportunities, particularly for small-scale miners, thereby boosting the local economy.
Shukrani Elias highlighted that reopening the reserve would create jobs, especially for miners, and urged the government to expedite the process for community benefit.
The conflict between TFS officers and residents has previously led to casualties, with six TFS officers killed in altercations with civilians in 2022.
On January 6, 2024, four TFS officers in Geita District were arrested by the Geita Police on charges of fatally shooting a resident who was collecting firewood without a permit in Samina Forest.
Over 99percent of Tanzania Forest Services Staff Complete Paramilitary Training: Photo: File
Deputy Prime Minister Biteko has highlighted the delicate balance between enforcing forest protection laws and respecting human rights, urging both sides to adhere to lawful and non-violent measures.
On February 19, 2024, the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Angellah Kairuki, urged the leaders of the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) to take appropriate action against unethical conservation officers.
Kairuki made these remarks during a ceremony where 43 patrol equipment items were handed over, including two Kamaz vehicles, two Land Cruiser hard tops, and 39 high-performance Yamaha motorcycles. She emphasized the importance of using this equipment for its intended purposes of forest patrol and resource management.
“Recognizing the importance of strengthening our force’s performance, today we witness the efforts of the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) in improving operational conditions by acquiring these tools—two special vehicles capable of conducting patrols in challenging forest environments and 39 high-performance motorcycles,” stated Kairuki.
Minister Kairuki directed the TFS to ensure the maintenance of these tools to provide long-term quality service. She stressed that the TFS should demonstrate improvements in forest management, beekeeping resources, and plantation management, and enhance the implementation of conservation activities.
Kairuki also urged the public to reduce the use of charcoal and firewood and to adopt alternative energy sources such as briquettes and gas to protect forests and avoid encroachment in protected areas, whether forests or wildlife reserves.
Furthermore, Kairuki called on all conservation officers to avoid corruption, negligence, and any acts of public property sabotage while the government strives to improve working conditions, employee benefits, and systems.
“You are required to work with professionalism and high morale as the government of Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan recognizes the significant tasks and responsibilities you have been entrusted with,” she declared.
The Minister assured conservation officers that the government would continue to enhance their performance by providing the necessary equipment and essential training to achieve positive outcomes in forest conservation.
In the political arena, as elections near, Biteko is poised to address the grievances of his electorate, who have felt the brunt of actions by TFS officials.
Recently, Tarime legislator Mwita Waitara, in an emotional plea, cried in Parliament over the killing of his constituents in Serengeti by rangers, urging the Minister of Tourism to value human lives and be accountable.
“Our people are being slaughtered like animals; this must stop. The value of human life is paramount, and those responsible must be held accountable,” Waitara implored. This dramatic moment echoed a similar incident involving Bukoba Urban MP Stephen Byabato, who also wept before a crowd, accusing certain CCM stalwarts of undermining development plans in his constituency to sabotage his position.
With the election season approaching, calls for justice and accountability from MPs like Waitara and Byabato highlight the critical intersection of governance, human rights, and environmental conservation, setting the stage for a fiercely contested political landscape.
This backdrop of emotional appeals and pressing issues suggests a pivotal moment where the electorate’s demands for transparency and humane policies could redefine the political arena. The poignant cries of Waitara and Byabato, each demanding better protection for their constituents and fair development practices, resonate deeply, capturing the urgent need for a government that balances conservation efforts with respect for human life and progress.
