The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Kigoma region, led commemoration of International day for the environment famously known as World Environment Day by encouraging conservation of the environment in Nyarugusu refugee camp in Kigoma region.
Commemorations took place in Nyagusu refugee camp in Kasulu district, when the world marked environment day, several nations are faced with various challenges of consequences of climate change which leads to damage of land and biodiversity globally prompting desire of every nation to put in place strategies to mitigate those consequences.
While addressing during the commemoration, the Kasulu District Commissioner, Colonel Isack Mwakisu who was the guest of honor explicitly explained that Tanzania is among countries witnessing existence of climate change consequences.
He mentioned that Tanzania is losing 469,000 hectares of forest annually alongside its biodiversity.
Colonel Mwakisu explained that to deal with those consequences purposeful and joint efforts must be implemented including tree planting and protection of water sources.
Kasulu District Commissioner Isack Mwakisu (Right) visits exhibitions on various environment actions in Nyarugusu refugee camp. Photo by. Maimuna Mtengela
On the other side, the head of office for UNHCR in Kasulu district, Mr. Jean Bosco Ngomoni admitted that UNHCR recognizes existing environmental damage resulted by refugee operations in the camps and that the United Nations and its partners are working to ensure environment is conserved and restored to its natural state.
Environment Officer for UNHCR, Mr. Godfrey Oyema said that UNHCR is aware of the importance of conserving the environment and added that tree planting initiatives are given priority with collaboration of refugees and host community.
“We appreciate Belgian Government, for its financial support on environment and climate change project, and UNHCR in collaboration with stakeholders, refugees, and host community has planted about six million trees and overall environment in the camp is good” Oyema insisted.
Acting Camp Commandant for Nyarugusu camp which hosts Burundi and DRC nationals, Mr. Hamphrey Mrema admitted that not providing refugees with alternative energy for cooking is main source of environment destruction in the camp while acknowledging UNHCR for funding to protecting the environment.
The reasons for the consequences of environmental damage in Tanzania include the increase in population, the establishment of undemacated settlements, nomadic agriculture, arbitrary breeding and herding of livestock.
A large herd of cattle grazing in one of the natural forest areas in western Tanzania
Another factor is the large use of trees for cooking firewood, arbitrary cutting of trees, charcoal production and forest burning
Recently the Tanzanian government has started a campaign for the use of clean energy for cooking, including encouraging the community to use gas where President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan instructed public institutions, especially public schools and colleges, to stop using wood and use alternative energy instead.
The slogan for the commemoration of the World Environment Day for this year is “ Our Land is Our Future.”
Writer: Prosper Kwigize, buhamedia@gmail.com
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