Comprehensive Forest Conservation and Charcoal Value Chain Improvement Project Launched in Bagamoyo

The Pwani Region has become a focal point for negative climate change impacts and environmental degradation due to the large charcoal market that mainly supplies Dar es Salaam.

This was stated by Nsajigwa George, Acting Regional Administrative Secretary of Pwani, in charge of Management, Audit, and Monitoring, while representing the Pwani Regional Commissioner at the launch of the Comprehensive Forest Conservation and Charcoal Value Chain Improvement Project in Bagamoyo.

The project is coordinated in collaboration between the Sustainable Energy Services Organization (TaTEDO-SESO) and the Tanzania Natural Resource Forum (TNRF), funded by the European Union.

"Charcoal is a major source of income for the communities in Pwani, but largely, charcoal production is uncontrolled. This situation causes this region to contribute significantly to environmental degradation," he explained.

Nsajigwa stated that, according to World Bank statistics, Tanzania produced one million tons of charcoal between 2010 and 2013, with 50% used in Dar es Salaam.

"Current statistics show that production has risen to 2.5 million tons, with 60% used in Dar es Salaam. With this increase, every Tanzanian needs to change and adopt a positive outlook on forest and environmental conservation for the welfare of the country, Africa, and the world," Nsajigwa elaborated.

He further mentioned that Tanzania's population currently exceeds 61 million and is projected to reach 129.39 million by 2050. This increase will double the demand, continuing to exacerbate environmental and forest degradation.

"In general, climate change has become a global threat, driven by human activities," he added.

Additionally, he stated that this project would be a remedy or cure against deforestation and environmental destruction in leading regions and the nation as a whole.

Nsajigwa noted that President Samia Suluhu Hassan, as a champion of promoting clean cooking energy in Africa, has embraced this agenda to help Tanzanians move away from unsafe energy practices.

Jansen Shuma, Acting Director of the Sustainable Energy Services Organization (TaTEDO-SESO), expressed his belief that the project would mark the beginning of significant improvements and changes in the use of alternative energy sources.

"We believe the launch of this project will help change the overall perspective of stakeholders involved in charcoal and alternative energy issues. Our goal as TaTEDO is to build the capacity of citizens in the project areas to understand the impacts of deforestation and the benefits of using alternative energy," explained Shuma.

Zakaria Faustine, Director of the Tanzania Natural Resource Forum (TNRF), commended all stakeholders' efforts leading up to the project's launch.

He stated that the project would largely address the challenges of climate change and uncontrolled deforestation.