In a move aimed at curbing environmental degradation and the destruction of natural vegetation, the Government of Tanzania has officially banned the use of chain saws for tree harvesting without obtaining prior authorization from relevant authorities.
The announcement was made on May 5, 2025, by Hon. Patrobas Katambi, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability), while responding on behalf of the Minister of State in the Vice President's Office (Union and Environment) during a parliamentary session in Dodoma. The question was raised by Hon. Prof. Patrick Alois Ndakidemi, Member of Parliament for Moshi Rural, who sought clarification on the government’s stance regarding the unregulated use of chain saws.
“The government strictly prohibits the use of chain saws without a legal permit from the designated authorities. Although these machines are legally sold in the country, their use must be in line with official guidelines. Unauthorized logging activities will attract legal action,” emphasized Hon. Katambi.
Alongside this directive, the government has unveiled a national reforestation goal: to restore approximately 5.2 million hectares of degraded land through tree planting by the year 2030. This long-term strategy is part of broader efforts to tackle rampant deforestation across the country.
Deputy Minister Katambi outlined several ongoing initiatives, including the annual campaign that requires each local government authority to plant 1.5 million trees. He further highlighted the "Soma na Mti" (Read with a Tree) campaign, which encourages students from primary, secondary, and higher learning institutions to plant and nurture trees throughout their academic journey.
To support these efforts, the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) has been producing and distributing free tree seedlings to ministries, institutions, private sector players, and other stakeholders. This initiative aims to restore ecosystems and combat land degradation, desertification, and drought.
Hon. Katambi also appealed to citizens and the private sector to actively participate in tree planting across the country, stressing the importance of joint efforts in preserving the environment.
Though environmental conservation is not a Union matter, he noted that the Vice President’s Office continues to collaborate closely with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to ensure sustainable environmental management on both the Mainland and the Isles.
Addressing a follow-up question from Hon. Khalifa Mohammed Issa, MP for Mtambwe, regarding the protection and planting of mangrove trees, Hon. Katambi confirmed that the government has specific strategies in place to safeguard these critical ecosystems and reduce the impact of climate change.