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.

WILDLIFE RESOURCES & MOVEMENTS

City of elephant.

“What a beautifully situation would you build in mind when you come across an Elephant walking along the street passing people without causing any harm” to me this means animals are beautiful people.

   Actually is an amazing situation, like other cities, Arusha is busy famous city that contribute considerably to the Government income and foreign exchange through tourism and wildlife related activities. It is not dishonour of using idol/image of Mega-herbivore such as elephant at the city center representing wealthy biodiversity of Tanzania. Placing this idol of elephant does not mean to shows the wealthy biodiversity only, but also is a symbol that figure awareness to promote local and international tourism.  Rhinoceros is a critical endangered animal species, the idol/image is placed at the city center signalling that you can find endangered animal species in Tanzania N.P. (especially northern circuit).

**Acknowledgment for the designer, artist, architects and maintainer of the elephant and rhinoceros idol at the city center.

WILDLIFE RESOURCES & MOVEMENT

 Chee 2011.

THE ROCK MAP OF AFRICA

The natural formation of African map resemblance from rock structure is among the unique hidden attraction feature in Udzungwa Mountain National Park (UMNP that is found in south central Tanzania)

This standing rock structure requires much attention upon identification to hikers especially tourist and other visitors. The wildlife student from Sokoine University of Agriculture (year 2011) were among the visitor to Udzungwa Mountain NP on completion of their  BSc Wildlife Management course  who appreciated standing rock structure resembling the map of Africa and claimed it to be among the unique qualifier of UMNP.

(Photo by Chee:the spectacular view of rock structure that resemble the map of Africa)
 
*UMNP is inaugurated by founder and president of WWF Prince Bernard of Netherlands in 1992.

  

YOUNG SCIENTIST IN THEIR
  CONSERVATION MOVEMENT

 Young scientist in their conservation movement. BSc. Wildlife students conducting darting and immobilization of wild animal (Buffalo).






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young scientist in their conservation movement.












  

GREEN TURTLE 
 (endangered marine Reptiles)
in tanzania only at Saadani national park.

The typical egg size of green turtle (Chelonia mydas)

new hatched green turtle (mature green turtle is weigh up to an about 375 kg with the size up to 1.5 m.

Like other sea turtles, the green turtle cannot pull its head into its shell.

 you can see them during hatch       time         only   at 
  SAADANI NATIONAL PARK



                         NEAR ARUSHA MUSEUM

(Torch tower-Arusha)


This is another place that represent the wealth of Arusha in high grade, the torch tower near Arusha Museum the displays where Mwalimu J.k nyerere launched "Arusha declaration" and the policy of self reliance in 1967. 

("Arusha manifesto, Mwalimu J.k nyerere conservation movement initial point in 1961")