SHENGENA FOREST WALKS REPORT
On 15th July 2013,Mohispac Foundation an ICRAF team comprising of staff from Nairobi, Kisumu and Tanzania took part in the Shengena walk that happened in Mamba Miamba, Northern Tanzania. The charity event was aimed at sensitizing locals against destroying the vast Shengena forest which supports the livelihoods of more than 300,000 people.
According to a report by the World Wide Fund (WWF), for the past 50 years, about half of the world’s original forest cover has been lost owing to the unsystematic exploitation of forest resources by human beings and Shengena forest is no exception.
Rev. Nziacharo Makenya, the executive director of MOHISPAC foundation and the organizer of the walk says the woodland which plays host to five major rivers, Mkomazi game reserve and several irrigation schemes risks being wiped out if stringent and swift conservation measures are not adopted.
The event provided a platform for environmental stakeholders and the local community to interact and promote awareness on the importance of protecting Shengena Forest, with a view to limit the effects of drought and securing the endangered flora and fauna species in the forest.
The woodland which boasts of being the largest forest block in the South Pare Mountains is also rich in biodiversity and a major water tower in the region. However, it faces numerous threats. These include: gold and bauxite mining activities, farmland encroachment, wild fires, illegal logging among other human activities.
Rev. Makenya expressed optimism in the ongoing restoration activities and called on ICRAF and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate in the conservation initiatives by providing the groups with potting materials, knowledge on tree nursery establishment and forest management.
During the walk dubbed “Save Shengena forest”, The ICRAF team had the opportunity of visiting several conservation groups before presenting a donation of T-Shirts to the Mamba Miamba community.
www.mohispacfoundationtz.or.tz
We are no for profit org working in Tanzania known as Mohispac Foundation.We work to the save our entirely at risk environmental in Shengena forest where there illegal exploitation in Mount Shengena, at which bottom the village is located, is to blame for that. A dubious company mining for bauxite with giant excavators – and destroys the water source of the entire region. Help the residents to save their landMt Shengena is covered by dense forests.More than 300,000 people and rare biodiversity depend from the forest for their daily lives. They are the livelihood of the surrounding villages, home to rare animal and plant species and surround the Shengena Forest Reserve. Most importantly however, they provide water for the entire Same district – until now. On the ridge, the trees had to give way to bare red soil. Large trucks transport the red raw material for aluminum into the valley. For this purpose only, a street has been carved into the mountain. This in turn facilitates illegal poachers and loggers to gain access to the fertile forest. The raw material is being brought to the neighboring Kenya and from there, is shipped to Asia.The entire region is threatened to dry up if there is no more water flowing from the well. Agriculture would then be impossible. Even now, farmers are complaining of increasingly poor harvests. Their livelihood is threatened by the exploitation.The bauxite-company is performing their work illegally – without the consent of the residents to whom the land belongs, according to Tanzanian law – referring to a so-called contract which is full of forged signatures and vague wording. Since June 2012, the company is also violating a ban imposed by the government which was introduced to stop the mining. The exploitation however, continues.The inhabitants are convinced that only because of corruption all this can continue. Some of them formed a protest group, but without any help, they are powerless against a company that pays a bribe for silence. “We trust in God, as we cannot afford a lawyer”, they say.Join with us to help the inhabitants to defend themselves against the destruction of their land.We had been prepared the walks to educate people about the wealth of the forest but we got are barrier but we reached to the office of prime minister and they advice us to collect the names and signatures of the people protesting about it so as to submit to the office of the prime minister the names which is not less of two hundreds according to his office advices.Your support is kindly needed to save..Any assistance will great appreciatedFurther more:www.envaya.org/mof Or www.mohispacfoundationtz.or.tz
CHALLENGES/OBSTACLES/DIFFICULTIES/OF SHENGENA FOREST
Although Shengena forest has a lot of benefit for both fauna and flora but there a lot of challenges which is facing it which we are kindly asking other environmental stakeholders to cross finger with us to save our entirely forest. These are:
Bauxite mining in Mount Shengena : The forests are disappearing under spoil heaps
,This has caused humankind and nature suffer due to the greed for raw materials of others. It not only destroys this unique ecosystem, but also the source of water of the entire Same district. The villagers of Chome are already complaining of not having enough water to keep their fields fertile. Agriculture would be almost impossible and particularly the rural population will then be deprived of its basic food. Moreover, the mining also damages the ecosystem of the adjacent Shengena Forest Reserve, which was originally intended to protect the forest precisely against these influences. For the purpose of transporting the bauxite, a street has been specially carved into the mountain. This street now also facilitates illegal poachers and loggers to gain access to the fertile forest. COMMUNITIES living along the Bauxite mining in Chome ward along the Shengena Forest Reserve in Same district of Kilimanjaro have blamed the escalating environmental degradation for that the endemic drought that is threatening food production in the area. It is just contributing to environmental degradation in the areas area
Large trucks transport the red raw material for aluminum into the valley. For this purpose only, a street has been carved into the mountain. This in turn facilitates illegal poachers and loggers to gain access to the fertile forest. The raw material is being brought to the neighboring Kenya and from there, is shipped to Asia.
The entire region is threatened to dry up if there is no more water flowing from the well. Agriculture would then be impossible. Even now, farmers are complaining of increasingly poor harvests. Their livelihood is threatened by the exploitation. Although the Government has already banned the exploitation near the Chome village, then why are there still trucks rolling down the mountain into the valley? The people from the area are talking about large bribes which the mining company, currently known as the Willy Enterprise, is paying to silence their enemies. Corruption opens the door to exploitation, despite significant formal and legal shortcomings.The inhabitants are convinced that only because of corruption all this can continue. Some of them formed a protest group, but without any help, they are powerless against a company that pays a bribe for silence.
Gold mining taking place within the forest and within the cathments areas which has result water to dry up in the mains rivers.The people worry about the drought as the mining is not friendly to forests and destroys sources of water.We have started experiencing water shortage in this area compared to the past .A survey we carried out in the area recently showed that the on-going mining has very minimal returns to indigenous people in the area.We have been experiencing water shortage in this area as the mining process disturbs water sources.Even crop production has gone down, the situation that makes us to suspect these mining activities here, because the rains are not enough compared to the preciously years.
The water from natural springs and rivers originating from the forest used to be sparkling clear but today it looks brownish and dirty, indicating possible case of poisoned water.Gold mining that involved up-rooting of huge trees as miners believed that gold was attached to the roots, would cause quick disappearance of the water springs and health complication due to chemicals applied.The vegetation starts to change colour. Trees found along the river banks as contaminated water flows down the stream dry quickly, indicating that the chemicals found in water were harmful to living organisms.
According to the villagers, the miners have also diverted the natural course of streams and rivers so as to reclaim more land for mining activities now known to be more destructive to the biodiversity than ever thought before.We admitted that indeed mining activities put at risk people's lives as miners targeted water sources.
"The miners have been falling trees at an alarming rate and we fear that the forest cover may soon be depleted and this will be disastrous not only to Same district, but also the entire nation because Pangani River basin also depend on water flowing from Shengena forest reserves.
Water is one of the most powerful ways to improve health, hygiene, and well-being of any families need water to survive. And to make that safe water decreases the diseases among the communities. To focusing attention on the importance of water and advocating sustainable management of fresh water resources
Lumbering and charcoal burning threatened the existence of Shengena forest, which is part of the Eastern Arc Mountain Forests. One of the most complex topics related to co-management of these forest areas is the access to commercially valuable timber. Cash income is a priority for many communities in remote forest areas, and timber could supply that need. However, the Government of Tanzania banned all commercial logging in all mountain catchment forests approximately 15 years ago (Tanzania Forest Conservation Group, 2001). Building sustainable logging into village contracts is not a legal option. Limited logging is permitted for community development, but not enough to provide cash income or more than negligible employment. The concern is how to balance community conservation for water and sacred forest imperatives with the still present individual demand for timber.
Other challenges includes human threats, including encroachment for agricultural land,overcutting of trees for building and fencing,overgrazing,uncontrolled bush fires,cutting of trees to harvest honey,overuse leading to loss of water sources.
Lack of funds to support our local environmental groups around the Shengena forest which are real committed to reforestations mean to replace trees within the forest and at their surrounded environments. They needs polythene tubes,seeds,spades,hoes,wire mesh and so on for opening more nursery trees.
Wild animals around mkomazi national reserve are endangering due to the fact that it depends water from the forest too for their survival through Kalemawe Dam which has been dry.
CHALLENGES/OBSTACLES/DIFFICULTIES/OF SHENGENA FOREST
Although Shengena forest has a lot of benefit for both fauna and flora but there a lot of challenges which is facing it which we are kindly asking other environmental stakeholders to cross finger with us to save our entirely forest. These are:
Bauxite mining in Mount Shengena : The forests are disappearing under spoil heaps
,This has caused humankind and nature suffer due to the greed for raw materials of others. It not only destroys this unique ecosystem, but also the source of water of the entire Same district. The villagers of Chome are already complaining of not having enough water to keep their fields fertile. Agriculture would be almost impossible and particularly the rural population will then be deprived of its basic food. Moreover, the mining also damages the ecosystem of the adjacent Shengena Forest Reserve, which was originally intended to protect the forest precisely against these influences. For the purpose of transporting the bauxite, a street has been specially carved into the mountain. This street now also facilitates illegal poachers and loggers to gain access to the fertile forest. COMMUNITIES living along the Bauxite mining in Chome ward along the Shengena Forest Reserve in Same district of Kilimanjaro have blamed the escalating environmental degradation for that the endemic drought that is threatening food production in the area. It is just contributing to environmental degradation in the areas area
Large trucks transport the red raw material for aluminum into the valley. For this purpose only, a street has been carved into the mountain. This in turn facilitates illegal poachers and loggers to gain access to the fertile forest. The raw material is being brought to the neighboring Kenya and from there, is shipped to Asia.
The entire region is threatened to dry up if there is no more water flowing from the well. Agriculture would then be impossible. Even now, farmers are complaining of increasingly poor harvests. Their livelihood is threatened by the exploitation. Although the Government has already banned the exploitation near the Chome village, then why are there still trucks rolling down the mountain into the valley? The people from the area are talking about large bribes which the mining company, currently known as the Willy Enterprise, is paying to silence their enemies. Corruption opens the door to exploitation, despite significant formal and legal shortcomings.The inhabitants are convinced that only because of corruption all this can continue. Some of them formed a protest group, but without any help, they are powerless against a company that pays a bribe for silence.
Gold mining taking place within the forest and within the cathments areas which has result water to dry up in the mains rivers.The people worry about the drought as the mining is not friendly to forests and destroys sources of water.We have started experiencing water shortage in this area compared to the past .A survey we carried out in the area recently showed that the on-going mining has very minimal returns to indigenous people in the area.We have been experiencing water shortage in this area as the mining process disturbs water sources.Even crop production has gone down, the situation that makes us to suspect these mining activities here, because the rains are not enough compared to the preciously years.
The water from natural springs and rivers originating from the forest used to be sparkling clear but today it looks brownish and dirty, indicating possible case of poisoned water.Gold mining that involved up-rooting of huge trees as miners believed that gold was attached to the roots, would cause quick disappearance of the water springs and health complication due to chemicals applied.The vegetation starts to change colour. Trees found along the river banks as contaminated water flows down the stream dry quickly, indicating that the chemicals found in water were harmful to living organisms.
According to the villagers, the miners have also diverted the natural course of streams and rivers so as to reclaim more land for mining activities now known to be more destructive to the biodiversity than ever thought before.We admitted that indeed mining activities put at risk people's lives as miners targeted water sources.
"The miners have been falling trees at an alarming rate and we fear that the forest cover may soon be depleted and this will be disastrous not only to Same district, but also the entire nation because Pangani River basin also depend on water flowing from Shengena forest reserves.
Water is one of the most powerful ways to improve health, hygiene, and well-being of any families need water to survive. And to make that safe water decreases the diseases among the communities. To focusing attention on the importance of water and advocating sustainable management of fresh water resources
Lumbering and charcoal burning threatened the existence of Shengena forest, which is part of the Eastern Arc Mountain Forests. One of the most complex topics related to co-management of these forest areas is the access to commercially valuable timber. Cash income is a priority for many communities in remote forest areas, and timber could supply that need. However, the Government of Tanzania banned all commercial logging in all mountain catchment forests approximately 15 years ago (Tanzania Forest Conservation Group, 2001). Building sustainable logging into village contracts is not a legal option. Limited logging is permitted for community development, but not enough to provide cash income or more than negligible employment. The concern is how to balance community conservation for water and sacred forest imperatives with the still present individual demand for timber.
Other challenges includes human threats, including encroachment for agricultural land,overcutting of trees for building and fencing,overgrazing,uncontrolled bush fires,cutting of trees to harvest honey,overuse leading to loss of water sources.
Lack of funds to support our local environmental groups around the Shengena forest which are real committed to reforestations mean to replace trees within the forest and at their surrounded environments. They needs polythene tubes,seeds,spades,hoes,wire mesh and so on for opening more nursery trees.
Wild animals around mkomazi national reserve are endangering due to the fact that it depends water from the forest too for their survival through Kalemawe Dam which has been dry.
CHALLENGES/OBSTACLES/DIFFICULTIES/OF SHENGENA FOREST
Although Shengena forest has a lot of benefit for both fauna and flora but there a lot of challenges which is facing it which we are kindly asking other environmental stakeholders to cross finger with us to save our entirely forest. These are:
Bauxite mining in Mount Shengena : The forests are disappearing under spoil heaps
,This has caused humankind and nature suffer due to the greed for raw materials of others. It not only destroys this unique ecosystem, but also the source of water of the entire Same district. The villagers of Chome are already complaining of not having enough water to keep their fields fertile. Agriculture would be almost impossible and particularly the rural population will then be deprived of its basic food. Moreover, the mining also damages the ecosystem of the adjacent Shengena Forest Reserve, which was originally intended to protect the forest precisely against these influences. For the purpose of transporting the bauxite, a street has been specially carved into the mountain. This street now also facilitates illegal poachers and loggers to gain access to the fertile forest. COMMUNITIES living along the Bauxite mining in Chome ward along the Shengena Forest Reserve in Same district of Kilimanjaro have blamed the escalating environmental degradation for that the endemic drought that is threatening food production in the area. It is just contributing to environmental degradation in the areas area
Large trucks transport the red raw material for aluminum into the valley. For this purpose only, a street has been carved into the mountain. This in turn facilitates illegal poachers and loggers to gain access to the fertile forest. The raw material is being brought to the neighboring Kenya and from there, is shipped to Asia.
The entire region is threatened to dry up if there is no more water flowing from the well. Agriculture would then be impossible. Even now, farmers are complaining of increasingly poor harvests. Their livelihood is threatened by the exploitation. Although the Government has already banned the exploitation near the Chome village, then why are there still trucks rolling down the mountain into the valley? The people from the area are talking about large bribes which the mining company, currently known as the Willy Enterprise, is paying to silence their enemies. Corruption opens the door to exploitation, despite significant formal and legal shortcomings.The inhabitants are convinced that only because of corruption all this can continue. Some of them formed a protest group, but without any help, they are powerless against a company that pays a bribe for silence.
Gold mining taking place within the forest and within the cathments areas which has result water to dry up in the mains rivers.The people worry about the drought as the mining is not friendly to forests and destroys sources of water.We have started experiencing water shortage in this area compared to the past .A survey we carried out in the area recently showed that the on-going mining has very minimal returns to indigenous people in the area.We have been experiencing water shortage in this area as the mining process disturbs water sources.Even crop production has gone down, the situation that makes us to suspect these mining activities here, because the rains are not enough compared to the preciously years.
The water from natural springs and rivers originating from the forest used to be sparkling clear but today it looks brownish and dirty, indicating possible case of poisoned water.Gold mining that involved up-rooting of huge trees as miners believed that gold was attached to the roots, would cause quick disappearance of the water springs and health complication due to chemicals applied.The vegetation starts to change colour. Trees found along the river banks as contaminated water flows down the stream dry quickly, indicating that the chemicals found in water were harmful to living organisms.
According to the villagers, the miners have also diverted the natural course of streams and rivers so as to reclaim more land for mining activities now known to be more destructive to the biodiversity than ever thought before.We admitted that indeed mining activities put at risk people's lives as miners targeted water sources.
"The miners have been falling trees at an alarming rate and we fear that the forest cover may soon be depleted and this will be disastrous not only to Same district, but also the entire nation because Pangani River basin also depend on water flowing from Shengena forest reserves.
Water is one of the most powerful ways to improve health, hygiene, and well-being of any families need water to survive. And to make that safe water decreases the diseases among the communities. To focusing attention on the importance of water and advocating sustainable management of fresh water resources
Lumbering and charcoal burning threatened the existence of Shengena forest, which is part of the Eastern Arc Mountain Forests. One of the most complex topics related to co-management of these forest areas is the access to commercially valuable timber. Cash income is a priority for many communities in remote forest areas, and timber could supply that need. However, the Government of Tanzania banned all commercial logging in all mountain catchment forests approximately 15 years ago (Tanzania Forest Conservation Group, 2001). Building sustainable logging into village contracts is not a legal option. Limited logging is permitted for community development, but not enough to provide cash income or more than negligible employment. The concern is how to balance community conservation for water and sacred forest imperatives with the still present individual demand for timber.
Other challenges includes human threats, including encroachment for agricultural land,overcutting of trees for building and fencing,overgrazing,uncontrolled bush fires,cutting of trees to harvest honey,overuse leading to loss of water sources.
Lack of funds to support our local environmental groups around the Shengena forest which are real committed to reforestations mean to replace trees within the forest and at their surrounded environments. They needs polythene tubes,seeds,spades,hoes,wire mesh and so on for opening more nursery trees.
Wild animals around mkomazi national reserve are endangering due to the fact that it depends water from the forest too for their survival through Kalemawe Dam which has been dry.
Same — VILLAGERS surrounding the national forest reserve of Shengena in Same district, Kilimanjaro region have expressed health concerns regarding on-going gold mining activities along the river banks.
Explaining possible health hazards, the villagers informed the Member of Parliament for the area, Anne-Kilango Malecela (MP - Same East CCM) that rivers that provided them with clean water for centuries were seriously polluted with chemicals from ongoing mining activities in the forest.
"We have been warned by experts who visited the area recently that the chemicals used to extract gold from ores were toxic and deadly and have been dissolving in the soil and water as well. We are worried," said Ombeni Msese, resident of Bwambo village.
Another resident, Samuel Yohana explained that water from natural springs and rivers originating from the forest used to be sparkling clear but today it looks brownish and dirty, indicating possible case of poisoned water.
Elders warned that gold mining that involved up-rooting of huge trees as miners believed that gold was attached to the roots, would cause quick disappearance of the water springs and health complication due to chemicals applied.
"The vegetation starts to change colour. Trees found along the river banks as contaminated water flows down the stream dry quickly, indicating that the chemicals found in water were harmful to living organisms.
According to the villagers, the miners have also diverted the natural course of streams and rivers so as to reclaim more land for mining activities now known to be more destructive to the biodiversity than ever thought before.
Same District Council Chairman, Christopher Irira admitted that indeed mining activities put at risk people's lives as miners targeted water sources.
He said the activities were also endangering species of wild animals including the forest's trademark black and white Colobus monkeys.
The chairman, however, pointed out that there was an even bigger problem related to gold mining schemes in the woodland.
"The miners have been falling trees at an alarming rate and we fear that the forest cover may soon be depleted and this will be disastrous not only to Same district, but also the entire nation because Pangani River basin also depend on water flowing from Shengena forest reserves," Irira explained
On her part, MP Anne Kilango stated that site visit revealed the whole picture and admitted that it was a serious challenge that required immediate attention. She pledged immediate action to stop irresponsible boys from continuing destruction of the environment.
"But let's face it, people who are destroying the environment under the pretext of gold mining are not aliens, but a section of the local community and some of them are you own sons or relatives which means you can help stop them," said Kilango.
Gold mining activities within Shengena Forest Reserves started in 2010 when the matter was reported to the former minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ezekiel Maige who sacked some of the officials in the forest department in connection with the problem. But the practice continued unabated.
Tanzania: Shengena Forest Under Threat
By Marc Nkwame, 12 May 2012 at all africa.com
Dear
Colleaque
Mohispac Foundation is an non governmental organization promoting the conservation of Shengena forest biodiversity hotspot to provide sustainable solution to the problem that have driven deforestation and mines activities taking place within the forest thus why we are kindly inviting you to win a wonderfully historical environmental walks trip to Africa where by 10,000 within the country and outside will participate the walks for 5 kilometers from Mpinji to Mamba Miamba on 15/07/2013 and 25/09/2013 at Chome to save Shengena forest by educating people about the important of the forest and biodiversity.Shengena forest is the second largest forest in northern part of Tanzania after Kilimanjaro forest and National park.It is rich in biodiversity, water cachtments and tower.The forest is faced with a number of man-initiated threats. These includes forest fires, encroachment for agriculture, tree felling for wood fuel, building materials(logs,timbers) which suffocate indigenous species and Gold mines activities taking place unofficially within the forest. But now the forest ,spring water,natural vegetation,species,wild animals are in danger to disappear due to the deforestation and Gold mines activities taking place within the forest.While forest is wealth and life for all living organism.Therefore, the walks intends to address man-initiated threats with the view to making a contribution in forest management,environmental education,research, advocacy,stoping mines activities, restoring natural vegetation within and around the forest to improve their livelihood.
Due to the this important event we inviting volunteers,environmental activists,companies,organizations and other stakeholders from America,Europe,Australia,Africa and Asia are invited to participate the walks.Apply without to delay because we have a few opportunities for outside participants.The events will take place on 15-07-2013 at Mamba miamba and 25-09-2013 at Chome around 06:00Am-11:00Am.There after we will travel to visits the reality of the forest destruction and we will come out with the solution.Prepare 50 UsDollar for a such trip to the mid-forest as a part of tours to enjoy reaches of the birds,animals,wonderfully natural spring of water,trees,cultures and other so many and you will never regret to join the walks for new interation,exposures,different ideas.We have already confirms 50 participants from outside the Africa who will involved to save our entirely environment.Really we have a staff that is highly dedicated to offering individual attention and support during the walks events. “Join us!.. Together We Can Make the World a Better Place to Live”We improve not only our lives but the lives of our next generations! Invite Your Friends and Family to the event.
Walks Impact:
- Awareness and understanding on the global significance of biodiversity existing on MountShengena.
- Over 100,000 trees will be planted on degraded patches,forest,catchments areas and reaforestation few month later after the walks.
- Capacity for tree nursery establishment and management to local communities will be increased.
- Water sources will be identified and conserved.
- More environments clubs at the schools and at the villagers around the forest will be more encouraged and empowered.
- People will stop mines activities within the forest.
- It will involvement of local communities to protect water sources which will increase the volume of flowing of water.
- Walks will improve tree planting and agro-forestry practices in household farms.
OUR NEEDS
-We need 5000 White T-shirt and 5000 white caps , tents,vihecles to carry people to the forest .All the equipments which you will provide/donate shall have the printing words to insist to save Shengena forest like (a)Okoa msitu wa shengena(b)Save shengena forest.And the name of our organization and the sponsor(company/organization)should appear.
-We need funds for other preparations.
-We need volunteer speakers to apply with his/her cv
-We need companies and organizations to sponsor the walks.
THEME;Protect,conserve and save shengena forest.
WHO TO PARTICIPATE
Individuals,Institutes,Companies,Organizations,Communitynetworks,Communitygroups,throughentertainments,localdrums,actress,songs,poems,writings and submitting in various ways, inviting other, and to sponsor other to participate,to publish to tv,magazines,radioe.t.c. Beside we appreciate your company/organization in moral and material support which you always cater for the general African community
Lastly but not in the least we are kindly asking your aids to save together those who are in needy. We are very grateful for your interest in supporting us. We hope that by the end of the project the community would have access to clean and safe water and therefore improve on their health. Any assistance will be gratefully appreciated and For more information on how to participate visit how to volunteer at www.mohispacfoundationtz.org , Find attachment form.
Thank you very much and may God Bless you.
NB: We prepare this in cooperation with AKUMAKI Environmental stakeholder NGO too.
Fill_out_the_online_application_form.docx
