Authorities and environmentalists in Zanzibar have been sparing no efforts to minimise scaring erosions caused by rising sea water in coastal areas, the State Minister, Environment, Ms Fatma Abdulhabib Fereji informed the House.
“We should know that negative impact of climate change on our land should not be ignored, it is a threat. We all have a big role to play in protecting our islands,” Fatma said in the House when replying to questions asked by Mr Salim Abdallah Hamad (CUF-Mtambwe) and other members.
The House members said that there have been drastic decline of soil fertility and sea water rise which expands into farms close to the beaches. “What is the government doing to prevent erosion?” the legislator asked. The minister said that about 148 areas in Zanzibar including 123 in Pemba Island have been identified as most affected by erosion.
“We are building barriers using blocks to prevent soil erosion. “Barriers have been constructed in areas of Koowe, Ukele, Tumbe, and Kengeja,” she said, adding that adaptation and mitigation measures are unavoidable should the islanders need to remain safe.
The minister said her office in collaboration with both public and private organisations dealing with environmental conservation, has been educating and encouraging the general public including students to change and show more concern. She said people were still ignoring environmental degradation by cutting down trees, illegal quarrying, burning of forests and constructing houses in unauthorised areas.
2013 Tanzania Daily News