THE Tanzania Forestry Services (TFS) is working on a needed process to join with the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), to assist the country in heightening experience, expertise, technology, and equipment that will facilitate the country’s conservation and monitoring of forests and wildlife resources.

Prof. Dos Santos Silayo, TFS Conservation Commissioner unveiled this recently at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy. The meeting was chaired by Shri Jitendra Kumar, the Director General (DG) of Forests and Special Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in India. 

He said the agency is engaging in fruitful talks with the relevant authorities to ensure the country is affiliated with IBCA.

“We have agreed to start negotiations to enable Tanzania to join the alliance of countries that put their efforts together to preserve the Big Cat Animals (International Big Cat Alliance). Joining this union will enable our countries to exchange experience, expertise, technology, and equipment that will facilitate the conservation and monitoring of forests and wildlife resources,” Prof. Silayo.

He thanked the office of the Tanzanian Embassy in Rome for coordinating the talks, saying he remains optimistic that the development will result in needed outcomes.

Prof Silayo also added that the talks were based on international cooperation in building the capacity to assess forest resources, including forest assessment and research, the development of a forest fire monitoring system at the right time, and participation in the International Union of Animals Family of Big Cats, which includes South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

“Together, we have discussed the importance of our countries cooperating in conservation as a continuation of the good relations that exist between Tanzania and India, as inspired by the honourable leaders of these countries,” he added.

The meeting convened on the sideline of the 27th session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO), provided a platform for both sides to explore ways of cooperation that will benefit the forestry and wildlife sectors.