THE spirit of collective responsibility to promote conservation of the wildlife as advocated by the founding Father, the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere received a new impetus this year, as different stakeholders join hands to bolster awareness for protection of elephants, rhinos and other animals at the brink of extinction.
Among the stakeholders are more than 200 students from ten different schools around Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem in Arusha and Manyara regions who are scheduled to take part in an annual march against elephant and rhino poaching.
The event is designed to coincide with Nyerere Day marked on October 14 since his death in 1999. According to the chairman of the organiser’s committee from the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), Willy Chambullo, involvement of students was meant to indoctrinate the culture of conservation among students as they are the future conservationists.
“Students need to be aware of the significance in the protection of the wildlife. They need to be informed about the vision and legacy of Mwalimu Nyerere, who just after independence said survival of the wildlife was a matter of great concern to the nation and world over.
Besides the students, the event will also attract nearly 50 elders from Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem, as the occasion also will be used to highlight the issue of human-wildlife conflict.
For example, in 1961 when Mwalimu Nyerere made a maiden speech to a Symposium on Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources in Modern African States (organised by CCTA/IUCN – Arusha), which is now known as Arusha Manifesto said; “The survival of our wildlife is a matter of grave concern to us all in Africa.
The wild creatures in their natural habitat are not only important as a source of wonder and inspiration, but are an integral part of our natural resources and of our future livelihood and well being,” end of quote.
He added; “In accepting the trusteeship of our wildlife we solemnly declare that we will do everything in our power to make sure our children’s grandchildren will be able to enjoy this rich and precious inheritance,” Mwalimu Nyerere said.
To walk in Arusha will be graced by Arusha Regional Commissioner (RC), Magessa Mulongo, to commemorate the World Animal Day being part of the international march for elephants and rhinos globally observed on October 4th, with the aim to highlight escalating poaching crisis of elephants and rhinos.
“We have decided to hold our march for elephant and rhinos on October 14th 2014 in Arusha in honour of the contribution by Mwalimu Nyerere in conservation,” Chambullo said in an earlier statement.
However, Chambullo spoke about the need for harmonious co-existence between human communities and the wildlife. Traditional leaders have also been invited as important stakeholders in conservation.
“These traditional leaders are the decision makers in their areas so we saw the need to educate them on this threat to our wildlife. We believe they will be able to stop killing animals in retaliation,” TATO boss noted.