The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism is continuing its collaboration with member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to implement a program for conservation and transboundary ecological systems across two or more countries.
This initiative aims to strengthen efforts in combating wildlife poaching and enhance the protection of these resources for the broader interests of the nation and Africa as a whole.
The Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Police Commissioner (CP) Benedict Wakulyamba, stated on July 2, 2025, in Dodoma while opening a meeting of local experts to discuss the establishment of a transboundary conservation area between Tanzania and Zambia.
He noted that this issue will help promote economic development in communities through wildlife tourism and open wildlife corridors.
"The matter of conservation within transboundary ecological systems greatly aids in the sustainable use of natural resources, including forest products such as honey and carbon trading, thereby boosting the economy of the country and increasing the income of communities living in these areas," said CP Wakulyamba.
CP Wakulyamba outlines the essential areas of collaborative cooperation among member countries in conservation, including cross-border collaboration to manage resources that transcend their borders, joint management of integrated natural resources such as wildlife ecosystems, forests, and water resources that require coordinated management strategies, and cooperation in biodiversity conservation.
Dr. Fortunata Msoffe, the head of the Wildlife Department in that Ministry, stated that among other things, the meeting will discuss the establishment of a Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) between Tanzania and Zambia, as well as the creation of conservation areas within that region, the available resources, opportunities, and various activities that can promote conservation and community development to facilitate the establishment of that reserve.
"We recognize that wildlife moves from one area to another, and these areas become crucial because sometimes poachers can hide in these places, so it is important to strengthen our operations by having joint patrols," said Msoffe.
Conserving and discussing the ecology of animals is a responsibility that is vital for protecting a clean ecological environment for wildlife to ensure that natural resources are sustained and to promote research tourism for both local and international researchers.
Dr. Msoffe mentioned that for the first time, Tanzania entered into an agreement with Mozambique aimed at conserving and protecting the Selous-Niassa ecological system in 2007, which is the second largest transboundary reserve, preceded by KAZA in the SADC-TFCAS program.
This step has helped bring together experts to manage, combat, and establish joint strategies to enhance protection and conservation in the reserve area.
Tanzania plans to establish another transboundary reserve that connects the reserves of Tanzania and Zambia to ensure the complete safety of natural resources.