Ruaha Park for massive expansion

THE Ruaha National Park

THE Ruaha National Park is set to become Africa’s largest game sanctuary after its extension into Usangu valley and Ihefu swamps in Mbeya Region.



The Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mrs Zabein Mhita, said on Friday that to hasten the integration process, the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) would next month take charge at Ihefu swamps.



“The Ihefu Park covers 4,148 square kilometers, Usangu valley 5,778 square kilometers and the Ruaha National Park 10,300 square kilometers, which brings the total size to 20,226 square kilometers making it the largest national park on the continent,” she said.



She said that the move to relocate livestock keepers and their livestock from the swamps was also aimed at preserving the environment and protecting catchment areas.



The Ihefu swamps are the main source of water that flows into river Ruaha, which supplies water to the Mtera and Kidatu dams used to generate most of the electricity into the national grid.



Earlier, the Mbarali District Commissioner, Ms Hawa Ngulume, told Prime Minister Edward Lowassa that the exercise to remove livestock keepers and their livestock to Lindi and Coast regions has been successful by 90 per cent.



“At the moment we have already assessed 1,600 households at Ihefu and 1,455 have already been given 2.47bn/- in compensation to relocate from the area to other areas allocated by the government,” she said.



She said areas that have not been assessed are Sololwambo and Ukwaheri villages and Kapunga and Tagawanu areas due to rains last year.



Relocation of livestock keepers from Ihefu sparked tension as the livestock keepers were reluctant to move from the area despite the fact that they were ruining the environment.



Reports from the district say that before the exercise to remove the livestock keepers from Ihefu swamps was launched in May last year, the area had been virtually turned into a desert.



Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, who is touring the region, said that the relocation of livestock from Ihefu swamps in Mbarali district will promote tourism in the area and end water shortages at Mtera dam.



Mr Lowassa told a public rally at Ibara grounds in Rujewa, Mbarali District that the residents should take advantage of opportunities that would unfold after integration with the Ruaha National Park.



He called on the TANAPA assist in relocating people and their livestock from the area.



“We have received many complaints from residents of the area but the government’s decision is for their own good and the nation at large,” he said.



Mr Lowassa commended the people of Ihefu and Mbarali for complying with the government’s directive despite the fact that the decision was not well received.



Mrs Mhita reiterated that local businessmen and farmers would greatly benefit once tourism catches up in the area.



“Local businessmen can build tourist hotels in the area to cater for tourists and farmers would have a bigger market for their produce,” she said.