New National Park in the Udzungwa mountains
A WWF project in the Udzungwa mountains has led
to the establishment of Tanzania's newest National
Park covering a total of 199,000 hectares. The
National Park is situated in the eastern area range of
the Eastern Arc mountains, in what is reputedly the
only area where forest cover still predominates from
low to high altitude.
Previously designated as a forest reserve, the area
was at risk from encroachment from surrounding
settlements which threatened to destroy huge
forest areas (containing more than 250 tree species)
home to rare and endangered species, such as the
Iringa red colobus monkey and the Udzungwa
partridge.
In the last twelve months, WWF has been working
with Tanzania National Parks to expand
community-based conservation and development
initiatives.
This year's achievements include the establishment
of four new community groups to run agroforestry
schemes, the launch of an environmental
education programme and improvements to village
nursery management. Work is now under way to
encourage greater community participation in the
management of the Park.
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