 A new World Bank publication, Blueprint 2050: Sustaining the Marine Environment in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, which recommends a comprehensive system of Marine Protected Areas for Tanzania and Zanzibar, has just been published.
The publication was edited by Indu Hewawasam, Senior Environmental Specialist, AFTS2, Magnus Ngoile, Director General, National Environmental Management Council and Jack Ruitenbeek, Consultant, and is based on three years of technical studies by a team of 20 national and international experts. The findings from these studies were tested through a structured interview process with government and non-government stakeholders throughout the country. The in-country peer review process was complemented by Bank peer reviewers David Freestone, Deputy General Counsel, Advisory Services, Legal Vice Presidency and Ron Zweig, Senior Agricultural Ecologist. The report emphasizes community-based, adaptive co-management of resources within a flexible system of eight marine protected area networks.  The study's vision has received high-level political support. Speaking for the government, Senior Permanent Secretary from the Vice President's Office, Raphael Mollel made the following statement:
"Blueprint 2050 is an impressive piece of professional work which addresses the plight of the many communities whose livelihoods depend on Tanzania's marine resources. Environmental conservation, sustainability, efficiency, good governance, and a pro-poor policy stance come out as key issues in pursuit of Tanzania's millennium development goals by these communities."
 From Zanzibar, Ms.Rahma Mshangama, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Cooperatives stated,
"It is my sincere hope that Blueprint 2050 will serve the intended purpose of promoting the development of marine protected areas based on our current policies and legislation."
The analytical work was conducted under the leadership of Karen Brooks, Sector Manager. In the Foreword, Judy O'Connor, Country Director for Tanzania and Uganda made a pledge: "The Bank remains a committed development partner to Tanzania in the sustainable use of its coastal and marine resources. The book provides an important contribution to the national — and regional — dialog on marine protected area management."  The recommendations in the publication have influenced the design of the Tanzania Marine and Coastal Environmental Management Project (IDA/GEF - due to be submitted to the Bank's Board in July 2005).
The 140-page, full-color publication (including an e-book on CD) is available in the World Bank bookstore. For information on how to order, please go to:
http://publications.worldbank.org/ecommerce/catalog/product?item_id=4610653 An official book launch was held at the Peacock Hotel in Dar es Salaam on Monday, April 18th under the chairmanship of Senior Permanent Secretary, Vice President's Office, Mr. R. Mollel. Read the news report about the launch from The Citizen Newspaper in Tanzania. |
RSS