Tanzania earns 1.2 million dollars from woodlands as forest hiking starts aping wildlife tourism
Woodlands in Tanzania have become a new niche in the country’s tourism industry generating around 3.1 billion/- in a year, equivalent to USD 1.2 million.
Nature walk, plant studying and other forms of eco-tourism activities mainly taking place in the forests have been attracting nearly 330,000 visitors in the Tanzanian jungle, creating new diversification in the local leisure travel sector.
Reports from the National Assembly in Dodoma also reveal that Tanzanian backwoods have been a source of pure and organic honey, with over 1000 tons of the natural sweet syrup being exported to overseas markets in Europe and the United States.
It was stated during the budget speech for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, in Dodoma that the number of visitors currently undertaking eco-tourism activities in the country’s numerous forests, has increased by over 20 percent.
The Minister in charge of the tourism docket, Ashatu Kijaji, on presenting the budget estimates pointed out that investment in infrastructure has exalted forest trekking to higher heights and more visitors now would rather enjoy the woods as opposed to the mainstream game drives in the parks.
It was explained that the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) constructed six modern tourism gates in Meru, Vikindu, Mwambesi, Pindiro, Mount Rungwe and Lake Duluti forest reserves to boost tourism.
TFS has also established special gangplanks and canopy walks in the Sahare-Tanga and Amani forests, while also rehabilitating more than 287 kilometres of nature trails across 24 forest reserves nationwide.
Minister Kijaji cited some of the adventurous jungle activities currently bringing forest tourism alive as the Tukutane Mt. Rungwe Season II, Meru Adventure Race, Mkwawa Rally, Rombo Marathon, Kalambo Waterfalls Tourism Festival and the Uni Pugu Easter Experience.
As a result of the interventions, forest fire incidents have been declining by an average of 11 percent annually, while the size of affected areas has continued to shrink.
The government has further expanded investments in tree planting and environmental restoration programmes.
This year, TFS established new forest plantations in Geita and Rwamgasa covering a combined area of 28,000 hectares, while producing 32.8 million tree seedlings distributed to citizens and institutions for planting.
In mangrove conservation, more than 37.2 million seedlings were planted along the shoreline striding the Tanga and Coast regions to protect the Indian Ocean coastline.
In the apiculture sector, the minister said Tanzania continues to demonstrate strong economic potential after successfully exporting 1,076.8 tons of honey worth more than 12.9 billion/- to markets in Europe and the United States.
Kijaji explained that the achievement followed international laboratory tests conducted in Germany on 132 honey samples collected from 31 districts, which confirmed that Tanzanian honey meets international standards.
As part of the strategy, the government will complete construction of tourist camps in the Rau, West Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, Mount Hanang, Pugu-Kazimzumbwi and Lake Ngosi forests, while encouraging private sector investment in hotels, cottages and other accommodation facilities within forest reserves.
Additionally, TFS is constructing 26 modern tourist huts in Sahare, Ras Kilomoni, Dar es Salaam, Vikindu and Pugu-Kazimzumbwi, as well as procure two tourist boats for the Sahare and Ras Kilomoni mangrove forests.