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