Message from the Conservation Commissioner in Tanzania

Tourism | 2022-06-16 10:28:00

This year the entire World has been hit by one of the biggest health crises in modern history. This is none other of COVID 19 pandemic, which has paralyzed the world, with consequential impacts on conservation than all as well. Tanzania National Parks, which is a custodian of all the 22 National Parks with the size of 104,578 square kilometers pleased to share with you some of the updates on Corporate affairs during these challenge times, expecting that you will patronize our efforts to support various initiatives being undertaken by the organization.

This year the entire World has been hit by one of the biggest health crises in modern history. This is none other of COVID 19 pandemic, which has paralyzed the world, with consequential impacts on conservation than all as well. Tanzania National Parks, which is a custodian of all the 22 National Parks with the size of 104,578 square kilometers pleased to share with you some of the updates on Corporate affairs during these challenge times, expecting that you will patronize our efforts to support various initiatives being undertaken by the organization.

Among the initiatives taken to cope with the current situation is to develop a COVID 19 Health and Safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The procedures which have been customized to TANAPA from those of the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Government of Tanzania, will guide service provisions in the national parks. The procedures provide a framework for protecting the safety of our staff and customers from the COVID – 19 pandemic. There are also specific SOPs, for protecting primates which are among our conservation targets. These guidelines will be updated from time to time as the COVID -19 situation dictates. The updates will be in conformity with the measures provided by the Government of Tanzania and other relevant authorities. The purpose is to make sure that the spread of COVID-19 pandemic is controlled by providing a safe working environment that protects staff, tourists and wildlife.

Despite the interruptions that will result in enforcing implementation of COVID – 19 procedures, we assure our customers that, we will remain focused on delivering best services.

COVID – 19 pandemic is also having an impact on conservation due to the significant decline in the number of tourists, thus causing significant budget deficits, but we wish to assure that our conservation will continue to remain intact. The strong support provided by both the Government, and the private sector has been instrumental in coping up with the situation. We are committed to instituting creative solutions with a myriad of partners and dedicated conservation supporters to ensure our National Parks thrive.

Finally, I wish to reiterate these are challenging times, and each of you might have been affected in one way or other. Let us keep united to take all the necessary precautions to make sure that the pandemic is eliminated. We in Tanzania National Parks feel honoured to be part of such efforts. I appeal to you to be part of the initiatives, and be part of our patrons in supporting conservation and reviving tourism.

Dr. Allan Kijazi
Conservation Commissioner

TANZANIA NATIONAL PARK WEBSITE