UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
(Project T20044)
Rising from semi-arid plains, the Udzungwa mountains have evolved into some
of the richest biological sites in Africa. In recent years, three new
species of bird - a weaver, a cisticola, and the rufous winged sunbird have
been found. In late 1979, the Iringa red colobus monkey and the Sanje
crested mangabey, a rare endemic subspecies of the crested mangabey, were
discovered in the Udzungwa.
The Udzungwa Mountains represent the only part of the Eastern Arc Range,
where forest cover still predominates from low to high altitude. The
rainforest of the Udzungwas provides habitat for a number of rare and
endangered fauna and flora, and represents the catchment area for
surrounding river systems essential for water supplies and hydro-electricity.
Phase II of this project (1995-2000) continues to assist Tanzania National
Parks (TANAPA) to establish infrastructure and management systems for the
country's youngest terrestrial protected area, and to expand community
agroforestry programmes. The project will also assist and expand TANAPA's
Community Conservation Service (CCS), continuing to integrate local
communities into park management systems.
After eight years of negotiation between WWF and the Tanzanian Government,
Udzungwa National Park officially opened its gates in 1992. The area is one
of the last remaining mountain rainforests in the country, and the
upgrading of a former forest reserve to a national park will play an
important role in its conservation. While the neighbouring Usambaras and
Ulugurus ranges have lost more than 70 per cent of their forest cover to
agricultural clearing, the Udzungwa range remains relatively pristine.
WWF is now concentrating on improving the park's infrastructure. Ranger
posts are being built and WWF is providing park field personnel with
transport and radio equipment. Since large numbers of tourists are
expected, WWF is aiding in the construction of a visitor centre, an
improved trail system and the creation of camp sites.
But, as always, the goodwill of the local people is essential to the
success of one of Africa's newest national parks. Under park regulations,
villagers from communities surrounding the park are allowed to collect
firewood only twice a week.
To provide an alternative to forest exploitation, WWF started a programme
in 1991 to develop tree nurseries in all six surrounding villages. Since
the programme began, WWF has assisted in the planting of well over a
million seedlings. Women's groups from several villages have been organised
to cultivate corn and fruit trees. In this way, WWF is helping to foster a
sustainable programme of agricultural development to ensure the survival of
both the ecosystem and the people it supports.