Tanzania embarks on $4.5 million initiative to restore degraded forests

Arusha. Tanzania has officially launched a global programme to restore degraded forests, with the goal of enhancing biodiversity and improving the livelihoods of communities impacted by environmental degradation.

The initiative, funded at $4.5 million (Sh12.15 billion), targets the restoration of 5.2 million hectares of forests.

This marks Tanzania’s commitment to the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100), which seeks to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land across the continent by 2030.

AFR100, spearheaded by African nations and managed by the Global Restoration Initiative of the World Resources Institute, is part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Tanzania joined AFR100 in 2018, and the current phase emphasises implementation in Karatu, Monduli, and Zanzibar, identified as high-priority areas for restoration due to their vulnerability to climate change.

Speaking at the project’s launch workshop, Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) Conservation Commissioner Prof Dos Santos Silayo outlined the scale of forest loss, with the country losing approximately 469,000 hectares annually.

This deforestation releases an estimated 43 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

“Forests contribute 3.9 percent to Tanzania’s GDP, excluding related sectors, yet they face immense challenges from agricultural encroachment, illegal logging, and other activities,” Prof Silayo said.

He also noted that women and youth are disproportionately affected due to reduced access to resources like firewood, water, and fertile land.

The project, supported financially by the German government, aims to address these challenges by restoring natural vegetation and supporting community education on forest management.

AFR100 Project Coordinator Geoffrey Bakanga from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said initial activities include policy implementation and community engagement to ensure the long-term success of forest conservation efforts.

Meanwhile, Bernard Urassa from the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government) noted that the programme also positions Tanzania to benefit from carbon trading opportunities.

“This initiative not only restores forests but also combats climate change and opens economic opportunities for local communities,” he said.

The program represents a critical step in Tanzania's efforts to secure its biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience for future generations.