Tanzania steps up measures to save environment

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2006

DAR ES SALAAM (AFP) — In a move designed to curb further environmental degradation, Tanzania has ordered the eviction of pastoralists from forests and banned the use of thin plastic bags.

In a weekend address to the nation, Vice President Ali Sheni blamed the east Africa nation's deteroriating environment on destructive and unchecked human activity.

"Human activities such as reckless tree felling, use of plastic bags, uncontrolled cattle grazing, invasion of reserved forest areas and mountains are some of the causes of extensive environmental degradation," Sheni said.

Tanzania has more than 16 million head of cattle, according to government statistics, and pastoralists move them with from one place to another in search of pasture, leading to massive...