Activists call for transparency in Ngorongoro land, resettlement plans

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Conservation and Heritage Initiatives (TCHI) has called for greater transparency and inclusivity in the newly established Presidential Commissions addressing land disputes and resettlement in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA).

The organisation emphasised the importance of involving local communities, conservation experts, and civil society groups in the deliberations to ensure that the commission’s recommendations are thorough and achievable.

The two commissions—the Presidential Commission to assess land disputes in Ngorongoro and the Presidential Commission to evaluate the voluntary resettlement process—are expected to adopt a participatory and transparent approach to finding solutions.

In a statement issued on Friday, February 21, 2025, aimed at commending President Samia Suluhu Hassan for the initiative, TCHI highlighted that with careful consideration and inclusiveness, these commissions could lead to a peaceful resolution of the challenges in Ngorongoro.

“As an organisation committed to the preservation of Tanzania’s natural and cultural heritage, TCHI acknowledges the complexity of the issues at hand,” reads the statement signed by the organisation’s chief executive officer Constantine Akitanda.

TCHI further noted that the NCA is both a national and global asset, requiring a balance between the needs of its people and the essential protection of its biodiversity.

“Balancing the needs of its inhabitants with the imperative to protect its biodiversity calls for a bold, collaborative approach. We are confident that, under President Hassan’s leadership, these commissions will meet their objectives and set a precedent for resolving similar issues in other conservation areas,” reads another part.

The organisation also urged the government to ensure the prompt and effective execution of the commissions' mandates, fostering trust and cooperation between authorities and local communities.

“TCHI fully supports President Hassan’s initiative to address the critical challenges in the NCA. We are optimistic that these commissions will deliver lasting solutions that protect both human rights and environmental conservation,” according to the statement.

The Presidential Commissions were launched on February 20, 2025, at the State House in Dar es Salaam.

The Land Disputes Commission, chaired by Court of Appeal Justice, Dr Gerald Ndika, includes experts such as retired Chief Secretary Philemon Luhanjo, former Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism Zakia Meghji, and environmental advisor Dr Richard Muyungi.

The commission will investigate land-related grievances and propose sustainable solutions.

The Resettlement Assessment Commission, led by retired Permanent Secretary Engineer Musa Iyombe, includes key figures like Ambassador Valentino Mlowola and community representatives such as Rehema Moisare, a teacher and resident of Ngorongoro.

This commission will evaluate the progress and effectiveness of the voluntary resettlement programme, ensuring it upholds the rights of residents while safeguarding the ecological integrity of the NCA.