The Tanzania rainforest has finally won a long battle, after 40 years of hard research, it is being protected for being globally unique.
The University of York has been collectively working with Tanzania, doing research over the last 40 years to try and help save the rainforest from deforestation and poaching.
For decades people have ventured into the forest to cut down trees to used to make charcoal or to poach elephants and other wildlife. For the last 15 years, Dr Andy Marshall from the University of York has been working within the forest to make this day a reality. The day the forest would finally be protected.
“Protection for these lands follows more than 40 years of research and consultation,”
“When I first began work in the forest 15 years ago, it was clearly a biologically important place, but it rang with the sound of axes and machetes.
“Over the past few years we have worked with local villages to find alternative sources for wood and have even managed to reduce the frequency of wildfires, invasive vines and tree-cutting in Magombera, leading to thousands of small trees now growing back into the once almost empty forest.”
Various organisations are working together to help protect the forest. The Rainforest Trust’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Paul Salaman discussed how the forest hid a few never before discovered animals. The newly discovered species included monkeys, trees, and chameleons. This is what spurred more people to help fight for the protection of the forest.
Funds are now being used to develop a conservation management plan for the new reserve. Tourists will be able to visit the forest, which will benefit the local communities. This will help the community and prevent them from going into the forest to earn a living.
This is amazing news and shows that when people stand together and come up with helpful solutions, these spaces can be saved. There is hope for Earth and all its beauty.
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