Burunge WMA set for new leaders as villages seek higher tourism returns
Villages surrounding the Burunge Wildlife Management Area in Tanzania are holding elections for new leadership to improve conservation efforts and tourism revenue. Local officials hope the new management will build on recent successes in wildlife protection and investment.
Why it matters
Effective management of wildlife areas is vital for balancing economic development through tourism with environmental conservation.
Alfred Zacharia is a business reporter for The Citizen and Mwananchi newspapers.
Babati . Residents of 10 villages around the Burunge Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are looking to new leaders to improve conservation and increase tourism benefits as elections for a new management team begin.
Burunge WMA generates about Sh4 billion annually, with member villages receiving more than Sh200 million through revenue-sharing arrangements.
Babati District Executive Director Anna Mbogo said the elections followed reforms to the WMA’s constitution and management system aimed at improving conservation and tourism.
“The elections have started, and once completed, we expect to have capable leaders who can strengthen conservation and tourism and, most importantly, increase tourism revenue for the benefit of the villages and the government,” Ms Mbogo said.
The elections follow the suspension of the previous leadership over various allegations before it later completed its term.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in