Tanzania: Biodiversity action plan

Protecting biodiversity

The Eastern Arc area is one of 25 terrestrial biodiversity hotspots recognised worldwide. A hotspot is defined by scientists as an area supporting more than 1 500 endemic (native) plant species. Most hotspots are areas of rainforest.

Eastern Arc ecosystems are under considerable threat from felling, bush or forest fires, and firewood collection. Natural forest occupies over 65% of the land on UTT's Mufindi tea estate. It is protected by company guidelines that prevent the felling of indigenous trees. Forest fires are contained with careful management and employees are provided with alternative sources of firewood.

The greatest remaining threat to natural forest is posed by the expansion of agriculture into high biodiversity value forest areas. UTT's biodiversity action plan, set out in November 2003, is designed to ensure that this is avoided within the land area managed by the company.

Implementing the action plan

UTT is working with local and international governmental and non-governmental organisations, academics and key local stakeholders to implement this action plan. These include the Tanzania Association of Foresters, the Mufindi Environmental Trust and the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute.

The Tanzania Forest Act, introduced in 2002, will protect certain 'red-listed' species by law. Red-lists have not yet been announced, but the Mufindi estate is home to several species which are likely to be included, such as a rare epiphytic orchid and straggling bamboo. UTT will evaluate red-listed species, identify local hotspots and recognise key habitats in its management plans.

UTT is developing a system to monitor long-term changes in ecosystems, which will enable it to set priorities and implement remediation measures. The company plans to establish an education programme for local people to raise awareness of biodiversity.