You can count the number of private cars on the roads and the main bus stand is
deserted throughout the day and gradually comes to life in the evening when buses
return from Shinyanga.
Elephants in the NGORONGORO
Meatu district is part of Shinyanga region and in the 1980s it was declared a desert
by the late President Julius Nyerere. A project aimed at restoring the bush and
woodlands using indigenous techniques in natural resources management called
Ngitili was launched.
by the late President Julius Nyerere. A project aimed at restoring the bush and
woodlands using indigenous techniques in natural resources management called
Ngitili was launched.
The back to green project was named HASH (Hifadhi Ardhi Shinyanga). Ngitili is a Kisukuma
word meaning enclosure slowly restored Shinyanga’s vegetation. HASH was initiated
by the government through the Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources.
word meaning enclosure slowly restored Shinyanga’s vegetation. HASH was initiated
by the government through the Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources.
The desertification at that time was largely caused by overgrazing, destruction of forests
to wipe out tsetse flies and increased demand for fuel wood prompted desertification in
the 60s and 70s. Under HASH, villagers were taught through recorded dramas,
newsletters and workshops on how to manage soil conservation, forest restoration
and livelihood security.
to wipe out tsetse flies and increased demand for fuel wood prompted desertification in
the 60s and 70s. Under HASH, villagers were taught through recorded dramas,
newsletters and workshops on how to manage soil conservation, forest restoration
and livelihood security.
Basically there are two main ways of accessing Mwanhuzi, either through Shinyanga
town at the cost of 6,000/- by bus, a three to four hour drive on a rough road.
Alternatively, one can hire a self drive car from Arusha via Ngorongoro Conservation
Area, Maswa conservation and Makao Wildlife Management Authority -a six to seven hour drive.
town at the cost of 6,000/- by bus, a three to four hour drive on a rough road.
Alternatively, one can hire a self drive car from Arusha via Ngorongoro Conservation
Area, Maswa conservation and Makao Wildlife Management Authority -a six to seven hour drive.
was part of a group of lawyers and journalists on a mission to assess the situation
of farmers and pastoralists forcefully evicted last November to pave way for the
establishment of a Wildlife Management Area formed by eight villages in Meatu.
establishment of a Wildlife Management Area formed by eight villages in Meatu.
Wildlife Management Area are sections of community land and residents have usage
rights over the wildlife resources. It is a concept introduced by government to
reduce the loss of wildlife populations at the same time ensure that residents
benefit from the conservation. We left Boma Road in Arusha at 1pm for Mwanhuzi
in a new Land Cruiser and it took us seven hours with a half hour stop at Karatu town for lunch.
rights over the wildlife resources. It is a concept introduced by government to
reduce the loss of wildlife populations at the same time ensure that residents
benefit from the conservation. We left Boma Road in Arusha at 1pm for Mwanhuzi
in a new Land Cruiser and it took us seven hours with a half hour stop at Karatu town for lunch.
Despite the speeding it was a memorable trip passing through a number of landmarks
along the way. A couple of landmarks along the way are the Monduli Military
Academy and Makuyuni township lying on low land where heavy downpour last
November swept away homes and claimed lives.
along the way. A couple of landmarks along the way are the Monduli Military
Academy and Makuyuni township lying on low land where heavy downpour last
November swept away homes and claimed lives.
At 3:00pm we checked in at the gates of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and
left the tarmac road from Arusha to Karatu behind. A debate is ensued in the car as
we drove along the rough road in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
left the tarmac road from Arusha to Karatu behind. A debate is ensued in the car as
we drove along the rough road in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Some of the passengers were in support of a tarmac for the road to link Arusha to
the Lake Zone while others were against it. Those for the tarmac said that it
would attract more tourists as well as make movement of people and goods
between the Northern and Lake Zones so much easier.
the Lake Zone while others were against it. Those for the tarmac said that it
would attract more tourists as well as make movement of people and goods
between the Northern and Lake Zones so much easier.
The anti- tarmac supporters argued that the improved road would lead to the shift
of wild animals to other places including our neighboring country as the animals
would flee the increased traffic. Probably disturbed by the dust and rattle of
the windows the number of supporters for the tarmac road exceeded the ones of
the anti tarmac road.
of wild animals to other places including our neighboring country as the animals
would flee the increased traffic. Probably disturbed by the dust and rattle of
the windows the number of supporters for the tarmac road exceeded the ones of
the anti tarmac road.
“There are rumours going around that our neighbours are campaigning against the
construction of the tarmac road so that they take advantage of more tourists
shunning the poor roads in Tanzania,” one of the passengers said.
construction of the tarmac road so that they take advantage of more tourists
shunning the poor roads in Tanzania,” one of the passengers said.
The debate came to a halt as we crossed over Ngorongoro Conservation Area’s rear
gates when the driver instructed passengers to shut the windows to avoid tsetse
flies as we approached the land protected buffer zone.
gates when the driver instructed passengers to shut the windows to avoid tsetse
flies as we approached the land protected buffer zone.
The bite of a Tsetse fly is painful and can cause sleeping sickness which if not
treated promptly is fatal. Tsetse fly bites affect the central nervous system
causing confusion, sleepiness and personality change. At 7:00pm, our car approached.
treated promptly is fatal. Tsetse fly bites affect the central nervous system
causing confusion, sleepiness and personality change. At 7:00pm, our car approached.
By MONICA LUWONDO, Tanzania Daily News
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