Photo: Guy Oliver/IRIN

Damage to the environment could also threaten human livelihoods, the eco-system and bio-diversity.

ABOUT 222 cases of environmental degradation have been filed between November 2010 and May 2012, the Minister of State in the First Vice-President's Office (Environment), Ms Fatma Abdulhabib Fereji informed the Zanzibar House on Wednesday.

Responding to questions from Mr Ismail Jussa Ladu (CUF - Mjimkongwe) and Ms Mwanajuma Faki Mdachi (Women), the Minister said, 204 out of the accused people were found guilty of ruining the environment.

"Different punishments were applied to the convicts including issuing warnings, confiscation of equipment such as illegal fishing and quarrying gear and demolition of houses constructed in unauthorized areas," the minister said.

Fereji added that the level of environmental degradation was alarming and that concerted efforts among stakeholders are inevitable to minimize damage to the environment. She said the 1992 environment policy and laws are for review particularly aiming at providing more power to the environment department in protecting the environment.