DR. LUKUMAY CHAMPIONS DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING CONSERVATION AREAS IN ARUMERU WEST
By Joseph Ngilisho – Arushadigital, Dodoma
Member of Parliament for Arumeru West Constituency, Johannes Lembulung Lukumay, has continued to demonstrate strong commitment to advancing the welfare of his constituents after calling upon the Government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, to expand development support to wards and villages bordering the Meru-USA Forest Reserve and Arusha National Park.
Dr. Lukumay made the appeal in Parliament while contributing to a motion before the Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Hamad Hassan Chande, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen harmonious relations between conservation authorities and surrounding communities.
He underscored that residents living adjacent to protected areas have played a pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s natural heritage and biodiversity, and therefore deserve meaningful returns through enhanced implementation of community development projects. These include access to clean and safe water, quality healthcare services, improved education infrastructure, and better road networks.
According to Dr. Lukumay, several villages neighboring the conservation areas continue to face persistent socio-economic and infrastructural challenges, a situation that calls for closer collaboration between the Government, conservation institutions, and local communities.
During his parliamentary submission, the legislator outlined a number of wards and villages bordering the Meru-USA Forest Reserve that require priority consideration in future development interventions. These include Oldonyowas Ward, encompassing the villages of Losinoni Chini, Losinoni Juu, and Engutukoit.
He further cited Oldonyosambu Ward, which includes the villages of Oldonyosambu, Lemanda, and Lemong’o, while Olmotonyi Ward—covering Olmotonyi, Ngaramtoni, and Emaoi villages—was also identified as an area in urgent need of improved social services.
Additionally, Dr. Lukumay highlighted Kimunyak Ward, comprising Kimunyak and Olmuringaringa villages; Kiutu Ward through Olgilai village; and Sambasha Ward, which includes Timbolo and Sambasha villages, as among the communities that should directly benefit from the proposed development initiatives.
The MP also mentioned Olturoto Ward through Oldonyosapuk village, Soon II Ward through Ng’iresi village, as well as Bangata Ward with the villages of Midawe and Sasi, noting that these areas require strengthened public service delivery due to their close proximity to protected conservation zones.
Regarding villages neighboring Arusha National Park, Dr. Lukumay identified Bangata Ward with Midawe and Sasi villages, Oldonyowas Ward with Engutukoit and Lesinoni Juu villages, and Oldonyosambu Ward through Lemong’o and Lemanda villages as strategic areas requiring urgent developmental attention.
He stressed that improving water supply systems, healthcare services, educational facilities, and road infrastructure in these communities would significantly enhance cooperation between residents and conservation authorities while simultaneously strengthening environmental protection and sustainable management of national resources.
Dr. Lukumay further emphasized that communities living around conservation areas must experience tangible socio-economic benefits arising from the presence of national parks and forest reserves in order to remain frontline custodians of conservation and tourism in Tanzania.
In response, Deputy Minister Hamad Hassan Chande assured Parliament that all issues presented by Dr. Lukumay would be addressed in collaboration with relevant institutions under the ministry, with the objective of ensuring that communities surrounding conservation areas continue to benefit from the country’s natural resources.
Ends
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