Wild fire agony at southern Tanzania.

Southern Tanzania is still believed to have natural vegetation cover consisting of mostly miombo woodland with well-known valuable tree species such as Dalbergia melanoxylon (Mpingo) along with others hard timber tree species such as Millettia stuhlmannii (pangapanga), Afzelia Quanzensis (mkongo), Pterocupus angolensis (mninga), Bobgunia Madagascariensis (msekeseke) and many more .  Most of miombo woodland species have unique characteristics of needing fire for their growth and succession for example Mninga seed needs fire for it to become seedling and will continue to need fire throughout their life for their growth. Mpingo Conservation Development Initiative (MCDI) has been putting efforts in conservation of these valuable species through community empowerment and awareness rising. One of the major activity is fire controlling through prescribed burning of the forest. MCDI have well trained team that works with and teach the community how to conduct prescribed burning.

accident resulted to instant death (c) LACI 2015

However, wild fire has gone out of control especially outside villages where MCDI is operating and it has been reported as source of destruction of property and death. During my trip back to Kilwa Masoko from one of the likely isolated village in Kilwa namely Ruyaya, wild fire had caused a tragic car accident which 3 people were reported to die instantly. The fire was set up by unknown villager. A local witness from Mavuji village where the accident happened said whoever set up the fire was trying to clear land from the tall grass.

smoke blocking the road visibility (c) LACI 2015

Wild fire has been complained by various group of people such as conservator’s, some community members within the villages and truck drivers especially those transporting flammable cargo which sometime they must stop for long time until fire stop because of fear of risking life and the shipment. From the observed accident by mass of local community, must be a warning sign to community about risk and effects of uncontrolled burning.

Conservation is responsibility of everyone, conservation agencies, authorities and scientist  we should rise our voices in conservation of southern Tanzania Natural habitats before it come to its knees. From above incident and many others which stays unreported, it is essential for us to call for help from both international and local stakeholders on bringing intervention to reduce wild fire and insisting on prescribed controlled burning of farms and natural vegetation. 

                                                                   -Lost in Africa.
                                                **conservation for present and future generation**

#Elephant conservation status 

When you listen voices and campaign toward conservation of wildlife you will just hear only elephant and rhino poaching, focusing on "Elephant", for example in Ruaha National Park the current population is 4,200 dropped from 8,500 in 2014,+50% drop in a year (source:http://www.itv.com/news/search/?q=elephant+poaching+ruaha). This proves that in near future, 2016 may will have zero or few elephant remained in Ruaha National Park. Considering the effort that the bodies and agencies is making in conservation but from this trend it is true that this might open up a chance to private ranches for tourism companies.

net for trapping crop raiding animals-Kilwa

Most of the conservationist knows there is something wrong somewhere in protection of elephants. I believe so because if this illegal killing of elephant for ivory continues our grand-children will not see or knows what a real elephant looks like.

I met a farmer while I was collecting data for UCL in Kilwa, (southern east of Tanzania), he told me farmers are not worrying about elephant destroying their crops because there are some people doing a good job of hunting them for tusk business-they are more concerned about baboons and pigs. Kilwa community are depending  in agriculture as source of income and livelihood through sesame and maize cultivation. "we are facing problems from baboons, monkeys and pigs compare to 2005 where there was a lot of elephants, I am happy there is no elephant eating our crops but unhappy because there is a lot of baboon and monkeys destroying our crops now". This is a good indicator of significant change of Elephant population. I am not sure about other region but I think local communities have something to say about elephants.

More campaign to revolve the situation is needed. More effort and community involvement is needed.  Join the movement to support conservation in Tanzania.

-Lost in Africa.
**conservation for present and future generation**

"NYERERE in conservation"

SOKOINE UNIVERITY OF AGRICULTURE(SUA)          BOTANICAL    GARDEN.

Get to know the effort of late Mwalimu J. K. NYERERE toward controlled open conservation

Brilliant idea in controlled open conservation (SUA BOTANICAL GARDEN)

In simple explanation, Botanical garden is a well tended area displaying a wide range of plants labeled with their botanic name. Usually it contains specialist plant collections from particular parts of the world, including tropical, alpine desert, also indigenous and exotic plants.

   SUA botanic garden was the idea of late Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere followed by the SUA chancellor in 1986. The area were set aside then established on the same year. The garden have been operating from fund provided under SUA-NORAD framework. The botanical garden has an area of 48hectares located at the university farm. 

Plant species and animal species

It consist of 247 shrub and tree species that are divided in blocks within 13 hectares, these includes African species, American species, Australian and Asian species with different important species such as, mellicia excelsa, terocupus angolensis, anacardium occidentale, azadirachta indica, khaya authecus, dalbegia melanoxon and acacia spp.

The purpose of the SUA-Botanic garden

As other Garden all over the world it was meant for;

• Educational to the public, students and other academic members
• To display the germ-plasm collection for cultivated and wild species
• Conservation of endangered plant species of Tanzania.
• maintenance of natural vegetation reserve of Tanzania and Africa.
• Ecological collection
• Research and recreation.

Observation

The botanical garden is one of the open garden that serves much in the local ecosystem balance. Plants that found in is source of habitat to variety of birds and small animals, as well as carbon sink. This garden serves in supporting Uluguru Nature Reserve as one source of water catchment and water storage. Prior to its establishment, “University budget constraints due to under expectation of budget is a problem in maintaining it “ C.J.Shio, Faculty of Forestry and Nature conservation (SUA).

Now we know Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere in one of his effort in conservation

“ME & YOU” should continue this effort to save best for future generation.

The wild specie that disperse the forage for the grazers

Solanum incanum

Conservationist explaining about the coverage and effect of solanum

     Solanum incanum species grows in variety of habitat with enough fertilizers. The fruits, leaf and roots of Solanum incanum are extensively used in different areas for the treatment of various diseases such as coetaneous mycotic infections and other pathological conditions. The therapeutic activity of the berries has been credited to their content of solanine and related glycoalkaloids, which are saponins and cytostatic poisons.

Area covered with solanum incanum at ANAPA

Though this plant is important to most of local people as treatment they have negative impact to the soil. The growth and development of this plant require high nutritious soil and wildlife. The presence of this type of plant in the wild area is not to be considered accidentally rather it is a part of natural setting to supporting the nature. The major problem for of this plant is the absorption of all nutrients in the soil causing the palatable forage for the grazers to die off and disappear completely within the colonized area and hence the death of wild animals if not migration.

massive well grown Solanum

Arusha National park is among the park that has this kind of plant specie despite of the effort to eliminate it; it has the prolonged effect on the land. The loosens of soil, depletion of soil nutrients, depletion of grass spores ad the death of soil structure are the effect of solanum incanum to the area  colonized, hence all this result to insufficiency forage for the grazers and migration to the suitable area.

 "NEW CONSERVATION ERA"

 

What are the ways of youth conservation success!?

Among the committed young scientist in their conservation movement, the photo was taken during the second field trip and after the Presentation.

who is responsible for the conservation if the young generation wont work up for the first stage, this cant count alone but also what are the roles of "experts and Stakeholders" in providing suitable direction for the youth?

   HELP SAVE MASAI MARA'S WILDLIFE.
  
"VOLUNTEER IN KENYA THIS SUMMER", August 19 - 31, 2012.

Join Dr. D.Becker & Dr. T.Povilitis and Maasai youth dedicated to wildlife conservation next to the World famous Masai Mara in Kenya. 


 PROJECT GOALS: 

1. Empower and employ Masai youth in conservation.
2. Protect wildlife moving between the Masai Mara National Reserve
3. Conserve habitats in the Siria Escarpment.
4. Excludes agriculture from wildlife corridors.
5. Limit livestock in “buffer zone” along the west side of Masai Mara. 

 ACTIVITIES

• At the peak of the wildebeest migration, volunteers conduct transects, counting giraffe, eland, zebra, wildebeest, impala and other wildlife. 

•  We also "practice" walking safaris, recording birds and mammals seen along the routes, and providing feedback to Maasai guides in training. 

•  Volunteer’s telescope from cliffs recording activities of predators such as lion and cheetah, and documenting movements of wildlife between Maasai lands and the Mara. 

•  Volunteers may also assist Maasai guides with computer use, data entry and analysis, community education, group decision-making, business management, and conservation planning. 

Donation: $2000 (covers all project costs in Kenya - local staff, camping fees, meals, transportation, and Masai Mara Reserve trip. Airfare to Nairobi, Kenya is not included). 

Contacts Lasima; nlasima@yahoo.com

        Dr Tony; tpovilitis@lifenetnature.org

 
   
     Help Save Masai Mara’s Wildlife in Kenya this summer

LAKE DULUTI FOREST RESERVE     

                                    

19 +63 hectors biodiversity hotspot

Lake Duluti Forest Reserve is a well conserved place that brings the nature into a balanced ecosystem. It is located in Arumeru District and is about 16 kilometers from Arusha town. Duluti Forest Reserve combines both human and tourism activities without affecting the ecosystem.

Though Lake Duluti Forest Reserve is a well conserved place, it is not famous and popular among the people of Arusha. Lake Duluti is known to be a volcanic lake that covers about 63 hectares which is equal to 154 acres whereas the Forest area covers about 19 hectares which is equivalent to 46.44 acres. The deepest part of the lake is about 700 meters deep at the center where the shallow parts are at the lake shores whose depth varies from side to side.

Organism of Lake Duluti Forest Reserve

Lake Duluti possesses a variety of living organism that are both terrestrial and aquatic such plants, birds,snails and slugs and fishes. Birds of Lake Duluti Forest Reserve are mostly percivores due to the presence of abundant fishes from the lake, birds like cormorants and kingfishers are found in groups hunting for fish along the sides of the lake. One cormorant is estimated to eat about 150 small sized fish per day. Some of the terrestrial organisms are totally burrowers    

                                                Activities

The major activity of the area is Eco-tourism. Simple and less expensive fee is also the pulling factor for this ecotourism activity, that is 30+USD per foreign visitor, 3000 Tsh per local visitor and 1500 Tsh per each students and worshipers. Eco-tourism activity of this area includes forest walking, canoeing, forest camping, education activities, and religious activities that involve baptism and worship along the rectangular caves. Tourists from different places come to enjoy the spectacular scenic beauty of this area. These activities generate money that is used for the conservation activities and development of the park and villages around the forest reserve. Fishing in this place is not allowed.

Conservation challenges

Several conservation challenges facing this area include,

a)      Water tapping management whereby different companies have their water pumps for daily water consumption.

b)      Illegal fishing at night is also a challenge to the Duluti Forest Reserve Authority.

c)   Dwindling of big indigenous trees such as Cordia Africana (east africa cordia) `due to timber exploitation by local people of Arumeru District.

Remark from writer

A nice ecosystem is a determinant for the health of biodiversity. This area is very unique and special. Before I decided to write this article I didn’t know it was a wonderfully place for conservation interest in the future, but after realizing this the idea of taking action came up in my mind of supporting the conservation of this area through sharing my idea with you. We should think of what should be done. At this time I am writing this article I am also trying to put into consideration the various organisms that this ecosystem is supporting.

 Think about;

• The source of carbon sink that ecosystems provide
•  The numbers of birds that are  available within the Forest area of 19 hectares
•  The numbers of aquatic organism that are available within the very small lake of 63 hectares
•  The number of tourists visiting the area annually
• The development activities taking place around this reserve in 10-20 years to come

From this point I would like to request your comments, ideas or contribution on what should be done for the long term conservation of this special area.

You may write your comments direct to the blog-spot or to my private email. nlasima@yahoo.co, or ipody8gb@gmail.com

GPS MAPING FOR PARTHENIUM WEED IN ARUSHA MUNICIPAL

   Parthenium hysterophorus

Parthenium weed is considered to be one of the world’s most serious invasive alien plants, because of its potential for spread, and its economic, health and environmental impacts. It has already become invasive in South Africa and Ethiopia, and appears to be rapidly spreading in Uganda and Kenya. It is thus only the matter of time before it impacts on Tanzania.

The recent report found parthenium weed in two main localities in northern Tanzania. These are Kilimanjaro International Airport and also at Arusha airport and around Arusha town. Parthenium weed has also been recorded in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Also the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem in Africa, which hosts the largest wildlife migration known to man, is under attack from a noxious weed (Parthenium hysterophorus).The weed grow along parts of the Mara River and along some dirt tracks in the Masai-Mara National Reserve. So far a nationwide survey of the area invaded by this weed is lacking. (Clark and Lotter, 2010)

REMARKABLE IMPACTS ON BIODIVERSITY

Parthenium hysterophorus can compete with indigenous plant species for resources such as water, space, nutrients and sunlight. Because of its invasive and alleolpathic properties, it causes a lot of damage to natural ecosystem. It is reported to cause total habitat change in native grassland, open woodland, riverbanks, and flood plains(McFadyen,1992)The allelopatic potential of parthenium hysterophorus is believed to play an important role in the ability of the plant to displace natural vegetation and interrupt natural succession in the natural environments (Shabbir and Bajwa,2006)

  Another impact includes (a) reduced crops production (Hegde and Patil, 1988), (b) effect on animal production, (c) human health problems (Anonymous, 1976), (Evans,1997a)

Parthenium hysterophorus control

No single method of parthenium weed control has been proved satisfactory as each method suffers from one or more limitations such as inefficiency, high cost, impracticability, environmental safety and only temporary relief (Bhan et al, 1997).Hence; there is a need to adopt an integrated parthenium weed management approach by using more than one option. The components of integrated managements such as (a) Prevention (PAG, 2000, manual and mechanical (Bhan et al, 1997). Tamado Tana(2001), (b) Cultural, (c) Chemical (Bhan et al, 1997).(Kanchan and Jaychandra,1977), and (d) biological control measures.

GPS mapping was done by Mgouya C., Nzao L. and Izack M., under supervision of Dr. Edward Khoi and Mr. M. Chediel (TAWIRI RESEARCHERS)

WILDLIFE RESOURCES & MOVEMENT

LIVING BATS

"hanging upside down"

lost in africa

Little is known about bats, and most of the studies exclude ecology and habitat of bats. This habit has lead into distant looking and less curiosity in engaging in conservation of bats. The problem is that most of research are conducted at day time while the bats are inactive, so it’s very difficult to monitor their movement and activities in day time  though they are found nearly everywhere (under the bridges, buildings, trees, caves and in old mine).

Traditions and beliefs is the greatest damage to bats which creates fears, dislikes, destruction and possible extinction of bats.

What is so important about bats?

Think on their importance to man,  

Think about what they eat at night,

Think about their habitat.

lost in africa photo

Bats live nearly everywhere, the importance of bats to human, they eat mosquitoes and other insect thus reduce chemicals and poisons uses, Tropical bats pollinate and spread seeds for new plants and trees for global health system. Certain bats are helpful to farmers.  For example; Colony of brown bats can aid farmers by eating millions of root-worms. This saves crops from damage, and makes more food available at the market. The Saliva from the vampire bat is being understudy for the treatment of people with heart problems

bats in Arusha

Bats are wild animal we should never touch/kill them. We need to conserve and let them live.