Mara — DIRECTOR General of the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), Mr Allan Kijazi, called for immediate solution on what he described as pointless conflicts between some villagers in Tarime District and conservationists of the Serengeti National Park (SENAPA).

The conflict is mainly caused by herders who invade the world-famous park searching for pasture and water, according to Mr Kijazi. He also cited anticonservation statements given by some politicians as inciting the herders to encroach on SENAPA land with impunity.

The director general mentioned the villages as Kegonga, Masanga and Gibasso. "These are unnecessary conflicts caused by people who take their animals to graze and drink water in the park," Mr Kijazi said in his brief remarks he made at the official handover of 6,000 iron sheets valued at 124m/-, which TANAPA donated for completion of community development projects in Tarime on Monday afternoon.

"What (sheets) we are donating today are the fruits of good cooperation and if the conflicts are left to continue, we might not meet to celebrate conservation fruits again," Mr Kijazi said.

Herders were posing a threat to the SENAPA ecology and serious investors operating tourist hotels in one of the world's most amazing parks blessed with a variety of flora and fauna, Mr Kijazi cautioned. "We are pleased that the regional commissioner has promised to make an intervention on this issue," he said.

The director general pledged further support to the local people living in the seven districts bordering SENAPA, including Tarime, so they can continue reaping conservation fruits. "I can assure you that this is not the first donation nor the last.

It is a sustainable initiative and I believe the donation of these iron sheets will motivate more conservation efforts," Mr Kiaji said. The Mara Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr John Tupa, admitted that the conflicts were being fuelled by politicians.

He urged the people to support conservation efforts instead of being part of the problem. "If we want these benefits to be sustainable there must be changes. Let us join TANAPA in its conservation efforts," he said.