DODOMA: FORMER Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda has called on Tanzanians to embrace tree planting and environmental conservation as a shared national responsibility, saying expanding urban forests is vital in addressing climate change and improving the quality of life.
“Developing urban forests has become increasingly important as cities continue to expand, and increasing green spaces is essential for combating climate change while enhancing the quality of life for residents,” Mr Pinda said.
He urged citizens to actively participate in tree planting initiatives, stressing the need for greater public awareness, noting that planting trees must go hand in hand with long-term care and protection to ensure lasting environmental benefits.
“Every Tanzanian should see planting a tree as both a patriotic duty and an investment in future generations,” he said, adding that a healthy environment remains the foundation of a strong economy and improved public well-being.
Mr Pinda made the remarks after leading the planting of about 2,000 trees in Dodoma as part of efforts to establish the capital city’s first major urban forest.
The exercise, organised by Habari Conservation Organisation (HCO) with sponsorship from the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), marks another milestone towards the campaign’s target of planting 20,000 trees across a 25,000-hectare area to strengthen environmental conservation and improve urban living conditions.
Mr Pinda, who is also Patron of Habari Conservation Organisation, described trees as one of nature’s most valuable resources, saying they sustain life by producing oxygen, reducing temperatures, protecting water sources and enhancing biodiversity.
The large-scale treeplanting exercise at Ndejengwa forms part of the Green Dodoma (Kijanisha Dodoma) campaign, launched by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during her tenure as Vice-President to transform Dodoma into a greener and more climate-resilient city.
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Habari Conservation Organisation Public Relations Officer Royce Joseph said about 7,000 trees had already been planted at the site, bringing the project closer to its goal of establishing a permanent urban forest.
She said the initiative will help reduce rising temperatures, absorb carbon dioxide, support carbon credit programmes, promote beekeeping and strengthen the city’s ecological balance.
Ms Joseph encouraged individuals, institutions and companies to mark birthdays, anniversaries and other milestones by planting trees, saying such initiatives would help achieve the campaign’s target while leaving a lasting environmental legacy.
Representing students from Ellen White Secondary School, Renata Kimata said the school has planted more than 1,000 trees on its campus, improving the learning environment and inspiring students to become environmental ambassadors.
Environmental advocate Engineer Athuman Mfutakamba commended EACOP for supporting the initiative and called on more private companies and development partners to invest in similar programmes to expand Dodoma’s green spaces and build climate resilience.
Habari Conservation Organisation continues to support the government’s environmental agenda through nationwide tree-planting campaigns, public awareness programmes, youth engagement initiatives and partnerships that promote sustainable natural resource management and climate action.