Arusha — Instituto Oikos, an Italian non governmental organization based in Arusha, and Osotwa of the Arumeru District, are working together to conserve the environment. Recently they planted more than 20,000 trees on Engorika Hill.

The chairman of Osotwa, Mr. Elias Ngungat, told the Arusha Times that the two organizations resolved to plant the trees on the hill, which is situated in Olkokola Village, because most of the residents are facing water problems.

He pointed out that the residents of the area have contributed to the degradation of the environment through the free grazing of livestock on the slopes of Mount Meru, which is also a tourist attraction.

Osotwa is collaborating with Mr. Tim Park, a volunteer ecologist from New Zealand, to teach residents about environmental conservation. Mr. Ngungat says research has revealed that the livestock does not have sufficient grazing space.

Meanwhile Oikos Instituto is also working with Osotwa, Meru/USA Forest Plantation and Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) on a two-year project called Nading'oro Pilot Project in the Ilkurot and Olkokola Villages. The project has planted more than 10,000 indigenous trees on 550 acres.

Mr. Ngungat says that drought has prevented the Ilkurot Village in the Olkokola Ward from harvesting adequate crops for the past seven years. The village has not been generating adequate income, although its attractions include a village rest house built in 1993 by Danish volunteers. Ilkurot Village and TANAPA are expecting to rehabilitate the Mount Meru climbing route through the village. Currently only the Momella route is in use.