Tanzania Launches National Mangrove Management and Sustainability Strategy; Minister Chana Calls for Tangible Results.



By Our Reporter Dar es Salaam 


 The Government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, has launched the National Mangrove Management and Development Strategy 2025–2035, marking a significant step towards protecting, restoring, and sustainably utilizing this vital environmental resource. Over TZS 54 billion has been allocated for its implementation.


Speaking during the official launch held today, August 5, 2025, at the Protea Courtyard Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Dr. Pindi Hazara Chana (MP), called on government institutions, the private sector, and development partners to work together to ensure the strategy is implemented swiftly, collaboratively, and effectively.


“Mangroves are the backbone of life in the Indian Ocean. They filter waste, prevent coastal erosion, store carbon, and serve as breeding grounds for fish. Allowing their destruction is a threat to human life and marine biodiversity,” said Minister Chana, addressing government leaders, diplomats, and representatives of international organizations.



The Minister noted that Tanzania has more than 158,100 hectares of mangroves spread across 14 coastal districts. However, this resource has faced various challenges, including land encroachment, unplanned construction, sand mining, and environmental pollution.


To address these challenges, Minister Chana emphasized the following measures:


The Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) Agency to collaborate with other authorities in protecting and managing mangroves;


Research institutions to conduct studies focused on sustainable utilization of the resource;


The Ministry to work with the tourism sector to develop mangrove ecotourism;


Development partners to continue providing financial, technical, and expert support to ensure effective strategy implementation.



In a speech delivered on behalf of the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Benedict Wakulyamba, by the Director of Policy and Development, Abdallah Mvungi, it was stated that the strategy aims to restore at least 60% of degraded mangroves by 2035 while enabling communities to engage in alternative, income-generating activities.


TFS’s Commissioner for Forest Conservation, Prof. Dos Santos Silayo, said the strategy was developed through close collaboration with local and international stakeholders and serves as a critical tool for protecting wetlands for current and future generations.


“Through this strategy, we will partner with communities, the private sector, and researchers to ensure mangroves remain a living heritage of the nation,” Prof. Silayo said.


International partners, led by WWF Tanzania Country Director Dr. Amani Ngusaru, commended the strategy for its scientific, inclusive, and results-oriented approach.


“The government has demonstrated genuine commitment to conserving wetlands and mangroves as part of the fight against climate change,” said Dr. Ngusaru.


Other organizations that participated and contributed technical, financial, and educational support include the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the National Environment Management Council (NEMC), the Marine Parks and Reserves Unit (MPRU), the Mwambao Coastal Community Network, EarthLu

ngs, and Wetlands International.


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