MARA: The Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) has introduced a new system of receiving and solving challenges concerning its conservation project areas, to village leaders at Bonchugu village in Serengeti District.
The new system which was unveiled to the local leaders by FZS and district council experts at a one-day workshop on Wednesday last week, involves how to register complaints, individual views, and even commendation for a job well done.
Facilitators from FZS said the system does not only target problem- solving but also forges good relations between the international conservation organization, communities and government institutions.
An FZS community conservation officer Ms Digna Irafay said the new system is a global necessity and a bridge between government institutions, conservationists and donors.
“The system will listen to people’s voices and help solve problems to prevent serious conflicts. Grievances will be registered openly and with transparency, whenever possible,’’ said Ms Irafay.
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An expert from FZS, Nelson Olkwai said in the absence of such system, the result was misinformation, while communities did not seem to profit from projects and donors opted to quit.
On his part, a Wildlife Officer from Serengeti District Council, Mr John Lendoyan made a plea with the village leaders to be goodwill ambassadors of the new system for its objectives to be successful.
The workshop participants hailed the new system saying it will help strengthen implementation of many development projects and promote sustainable conservation.
“It’s a good system which will boost the wellbeing of various marginalized groups, including widows. I pledge to take the good news to my group of COCOBA,’’said Nchagwa Marwa.
The chairperson of Bonchugu village Simon Mahando was happy with the new system, saying it would help avert unnecessary conflicts.
The FZS workshop was held two days after the organization held a two-day similar session to get technical views on the system. In the previous session, FZS brought together village executive officers from five villages of Robanda, Bokore, Bonchugu, Merenga and Makundusi, all bordering wildlife conservation areas in the Tanzania’s wildlifirich district of Serengeti.
Other participants came from IKONA,TANAPA and TAWA.
According to FZS Operations Manager at Serengeti Office, Mr Edmund Tobico, the organization works hand in hand with government institutions including TANAPA, TAWA and District Councils.
With its headquarters in Germany, FZS is an international conservation organization, having significant support to the greater Serengeti ecosystem and other wildlife conservation areas in Tanzania.