The Significance of Stakeholders in Managing Biodiversity Loss
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Loading... - Susan Temba
- 15 May 2023
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As the importance of conservation issues continues to grow, stakeholders in biodiversity conservation are convening for a morning debate to address several crucial topics, including biodiversity loss and the economic value associated with it.
This gathering, scheduled to take place in Dar es Salaam on May 17, will bring together experts, conservation stakeholders, and journalists representing various media outlets. They will delve into discussions on sustainable approaches to protected areas and wildlife corridors amidst the challenges posed by climate change.
The Executive Director of the Journalists' Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET), Mr. John Chikomo, revealed to the 'Sunday News' that the participants, carefully selected by JET in collaboration with USAID TuhifadhiMaliasili Activity staff, will engage in a comprehensive debate. This discussion will involve four panelists who will address key aspects of biodiversity conservation. Mr. Chikomo emphasized that other important topics to be covered include the sustainable management of protected areas and wildlife corridors in the face of climate change, as well as the promotion of indigenous women's involvement in climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.
Recently, incidents have occurred in various parts of the country where animals, such as elephants, have harmed or even killed people while causing destruction as they attempt to reclaim their corridors that have been obstructed by human construction.
The director acknowledged that the objectives of the debate are to enhance journalists' understanding of biodiversity conservation issues for improved reporting, inform the Tanzanian public about biodiversity conservation trends, and connect journalists with relevant biodiversity experts and stakeholders for future reporting.
Regarding the expected outcomes, Mr. Chikomo stated that the debate aims to increase journalists' knowledge about biodiversity conservation, enhance the quality and quantity of biodiversity conservation stories in the media, and raise awareness among the Tanzanian public about the importance of biodiversity conservation.
Tanzania is recognized as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with over 55,000 confirmed species. The country is home to a third of all plant species and 20 percent of the large mammal species found in Africa. Regrettably, Tanzania has lost a significant portion of its vital ecosystems over the past few decades, with declines observed in both the number of species and their populations. In the last decade alone, the number of threatened species in Tanzania has tripled.
One of the primary challenges in biodiversity conservation is the lack of data, knowledge, and systematic information flow regarding biodiversity loss and the economic value associated with it. Conservation issues such as invasive species and climate change in wildlife corridors and protected areas necessitate dedicated efforts from conservation stakeholders to address these concerns.
Building upon previous training initiatives for journalists on conservation matters, the USAID TuhifadhiMaliasili Activity, in partnership with JET, aims to establish an interactive platform between journalists and conservation experts during this gathering. The ultimate goal is to increase knowledge and create awareness among Tanzanian citizens about biodiversity conservation.
The breakfast debate is one of the strategies employed to enhance the quality and quantity of biodiversity conservation stories in the media, with the intent of influencing change and attitudes towards conservation among Tanzanians. It will provide a valuable opportunity for journalists to engage with resource persons on various subjects related to biodiversity conservation, enabling them to gather accurate information for their reporting.
