SUSTAINED PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE AND FOREST RESOURCES WITH PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION – COMMISSIONER BADRU

 

The Commissioner of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), Abdul-razaq Badru, has called on wildlife rangers to continue safeguarding the nation’s wildlife, forests, and cultural heritage with unwavering commitment and professionalism, emphasizing that these resources are vital for national development and future generations.

Speaking during the commemoration of World Rangers Day on July 31, 2025, at the Mnadani Grounds in Karatu, Arusha Region, Commissioner Badru acknowledged the invaluable role played by conservation rangers in protecting Tanzania’s natural treasures.

"The Authority recognizes the immense contribution of rangers who have selflessly committed themselves to protecting our resources. We are committed to enhancing their operational capacity to align with advancements in science and technology," said Commissioner Badru.

As a gesture of appreciation, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority awarded certificates and financial incentives to outstanding rangers in recognition of their bravery and dedication in combating poaching, protecting wildlife, and preserving institutional assets and fellow officers.

“These commemorations are dedicated to recognizing and honoring the sacrifices made by wildlife rangers in protecting conservation areas and natural resources. 

Tanzania, being one of the world’s biodiversity-rich nations, has a duty to honor and support these rangers—our heroes in wildlife and forest protection—for the benefit of our country and future generations,” he added.

Providing further insight into the occasion, Senior Conservation Officer and Acting Head of the Protection Services Department, Linus Tiotem, revealed that since the establishment of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, 11 rangers have lost their lives in the line of duty due to various causes, including poaching, armed confrontations, and wildlife attacks.

World Rangers Day, first observed in 2007, is a day set aside to honor the memory of rangers who have died in the line of duty and to celebrate the vital role rangers play in conservation efforts worldwide.

This year’s theme, “Rangers: Powering Transformative Conservation,” emphasizes the critical contribution of wildlife rangers in driving meaningful change in the protection and sustainable management of natural heritage.