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Tanzania wages war against pastoralists grazing in national parks

Xinhua, January 9, 2017 Adjust font size:

Tanzania has announced a fresh war against pastoralists who are taking livestock into the national parks, saying the vice has been threatening to kill the country's sanctuaries.

Jumanne Maghembe, Tanzania's Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism said on Sunday that Serengeti National Park is among the highly affected parks with livestock grazing in the east African nation.

The Tanzania's oldest and second largest park after Ruaha National Park is also the UNESCO World Heritage Site located in northern Tanzania.

"We're going well with the fight against wildlife poaching, but the remaining serious war is rampant grazing, which threatens our conservation efforts. Reports say that pastoralists have been taking livestock into the protected areas," the minister said.

He said that the government will leave no stone unturned in the new fight against pastoralists, who have been sneaking into the national parks for pastures.

"We are aware of the challenge and we are taking all the necessary measures to ensure that our parks are free from trespassers and encroachers," he said, adding that livestock found inside the park will be confiscated and the owner will be taken to court for further action.

The minister also cited illegal logging and charcoal making as another challenge facing wildlife conservation efforts in Tanzania.

Tanzania's tourism sector brings in 2 billion U.S. dollars per year and contributes 12.2 percent of employment in the east African nation.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council Tanzania Country Report, 90 percent of tourists visiting Tanzania visit national parks, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the spice island of Zanzibar. Endit