Dodoma — THE government has admitted that it faces daunting task in taming cross border crime, with criminal gangs reportedly conducting illegal hunting and sabotages in some reserves and forests in the country.

Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Mr Lazaro Nyalandu told the House that some of the criminal gangs come from the neighbouring countries are heavily armed posing serious security challenge.

He was speaking as he responded to Dr Anthony Mbassa (Biharamulo West, CHADEMA) who wanted to know the government's plan to pay compensation to people around Burigi forest reserve area, whose properties have been destroyed by regular wild animal attacks.

"We are facing serious poaching problems that are increasing with many poachers reportedly using heavy arms but we are working tirelessly to confront them in collaboration with the security organs in the local government authorities," he said.

Mr Nyalandu said that about 1.3m/-was paid to eight people who were affected for the last seven years in Ngara and Karagwe Districts while a total of 26m/- was paid to 277 villagers in 2011/2012 to Karagwe District, following the destruction of 606 acres.

But due to massive cross border crimes and destructive wild animals, Mr Nyalandu said no tangible hunting activities have taken place in some of the forest reserve areas in Biharamulo District for the last ten years hence affecting the District economically. However, he said the government has constructed the Police Post in Nyakakika Ward in Karagwe District to deal with outcome of invasion by destructive wild animals.