Team-up in fighting forest fires, DC tells stakeholders

AFRICA/TANZANIA – Njombe District Commissioner, Ruth Msafiri made the call here yesterday when speaking at the two-day training that involved forest stakeholders from southern highlands zone, which was organised by Tanzania Forest Service Agency (TFS).

Msafiri said that it is important for key players in the sector to recognize the value of forests, and enhance initiatives aimed at addressing forest fires.

However, she has urged stakeholders to have effective plans in their areas including having bylaws that will require people to follow them for controlling fire incidents that occur several times.

For his part the Tanzania Forest Service (TFS) Officer, Bakari Mohamed said the workshop objectives are to increase public awareness and reminding them on the importance of fighting fire incidences when they occurs.

Mohamed added that, “it is good to identify the existing challenges so that they can be addressed together with identifying the sources and impact of the mentioned challenges and how to deal with them”.

Serious strategies are needed concerning the issue of proper use of fire fighting to go in line with timely reporting of fire incidents. The Mufindi District official said.

However, stakeholders have continued to call for more community awareness education especially during the summer season which has recorded a big number of such incidents.

Upon completion of the workshop, stakeholders will come up with strategies for developing sustainable fire control. The training involved forest stakeholders from various sectors in southern highland zone.