Planting seeds for change

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Tanzania is one amongst few countries in Africa endowed with number of wildlife resources as well as key protected areas which provide large number of tourist a memorable experience. It is the country in Africa having the highest peak of the continent (Mount Kilimanjaro) as well as the deepest point of the continent (Lake Tanganyika). The country is also one among four mega-biodiversity countries in the world including Brazil, Congo……………….. It is also a country having a long and memorable history in wildlife conservation, tracing back from Arusha Manifesto where, we, as country committed ourselves to wildlife conservation for the benefits of the present and future generations.

The beauty of the country in nature conservation has been known worldwide by several international conservation organizations providing us several conservation status to our protected areas including Biosphere Reserve, World Heritage Sites etc.

Conservation of wildlife resources is of importance; 80% of the revenues from tourism is due to wildlife (photographic and hunting tourism), up to 40% of our land has been devoted to nature conservation making Tanzania a country with largest land in protection for nature especially wildlife conservation.

 

More than 80% of the country’s population is young people under 18 years. Being the large group of population found in the country and the fact that youth are the coming generation to lead the nation it is very important to provide them basis and awareness on the importance of wildlife conservation to the nation. This is because wildlife conservation education is not in the curriculum of the primary and it is not that deep in the secondary schools.

It is then by recognizing the importance of wildlife conservation education to young people and its relevance in the near future when they will be on the system, we, Tanzania Wildlife Conservation Group have planned to run a project around the country which will aim at providing environmental education to primary and secondary schools as well as to Universities and Colleges students