Article- Roots and Shoots Tanzania Newsletter

Roots & Shoots members’ visit to Pugu Hills Forest

Forests host a large number of endemic species in Tanzania. However, it is estimated that about 300 000 to 400 000 hectares of forest are lost annually in the country through deforestation, although recent figures indicate a lower rate.

Given the alarming rate at which Tanzanian forests are disappearing, we decided to take a closer look at the Pugu hills forest, one of the few remnants of the old coastal forest which used to cover the east coast of Africa. Because of its high biodiversity value, the forest has been turned into a reserve, and now hosts the Pugu Hills nature centre, which contributes to its protection. This is where six active Roots & Shoots members from the Bongoyo and Osterbay primary schools, together with international and Tanzanian R&S volunteers, went on a day outing on December, 6th, 2007.

After a short presentation on the causes of the destruction of the forest (charcoal industry, timber, poor agricultural practices, etc…), we explored the area along a 1km nature trail.
The scale of the destruction to the forest could be seen from several viewpoints. Only 40 years ago, it used to host lions, cheetahs and black and white colobus monkeys, which have disappeared today. Nevertheless, thanks to the conservation work done at the Pugu hills centre, we managed to see Blue or Sykes' monkeys (Kisw. Kima) in a mango tree (Kisw. Embe Dodo), as well as antelopes and African civet footprints.

Besides cashew trees, we spotted many plants and tree species such as albizia gummifera (peacock flower or Mkenge in Kiswahili), tamarind, (Tamarindus indica or Mkwaju in swahili), mvules, yellow and wine bamboos and tall sterculia (Mfune in kiswahili).

Divided into pairs, our young forest explorers had to recognize a particular tree and to draw it. They took many notes and collected some leaves, that they used to explain what they have done to the other students back to school. Together they made posters we hope to show in an exhibition during Roots & Shoots month to raise awareness about the threats to the forest.

Julie Estal, International Volunteer

WHAT YOU CAN DO:


If you also feel concerned about the future of the Pugu Forest, you can send a letter to the Ministry of Natural Resources, to tell the authorities that we need to stop destructing this unique forest.
Contact details:
Permanent SecretaryMinistry of Natural Resources and Tourism

P.O. Box 9372 DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

E-mail: nature.tourism@mnrt.org

You can also check out the Pugu Hills Nature Centre website for additional information on the Pugu Hills Forest: http://www.puguhills.com/.