THE World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Tanzania has pledged to continue supporting various government efforts that are geared to preserve the environment and protect it from potential negative impacts.

Yohana Mpagama, WWF Tanzania acting Country Representative, made the remarks over the weekend in Dar es Salaam when speaking at the launch of a new programme—WWF Youth Conservation Champions (YCC) which aims to engage youth in conservation activities.

The programme is   also expected to advocate for sustainable resource management, and promote eco-friendly practices within their communities. The efforts will help protect nature while ensuring a better future for generations to come.

“Young people are the future leaders; we want them to be engaged in conservation leadership today.  Imparting conservation spirit to the youth would help protect the future as we, leaders of today grow older. WWF is committed to continue supporting such efforts throughout as it works in Tanzania,” said Mpagama.

He said a good number of people are being left behind in environmental conservation activities, thus engaging youth as well as university students would help encourage communities to support the efforts.

“We are relying on young people to save us in the future, especially when it comes to issues related to poaching and climate change. All these issues require youth engagement to overcome them successfully. I call upon young people to recognise their responsibilities as ambassadors of the environment, conservation and act accordingly,” he said, adding “Through these efforts, we aim to create a safer world where both people and animals can live safely.

Joan Itanisa,   the head of communications at WWF Tanzania,   said the programme involves young people from various parts of the country including Manyara, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Ruvuma, Mtwara, Lindi, Rukwa, Dar es Salaam, and   Coast regions as well as those from higher learning institutions such as the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), the University of Dodoma (UDOM), the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), and the Ardhi University.

She said: “We have trained and engaged them in discussions on how they can participate in environmental conservation. We expect them to go and inspire other young people in their communities to also take part in environmental conservation”.

Itanisa said many young people have not been actively involved in environmental conservation due to various reasons, including lack of inclusion in planning and decision-making processes.

“Sometimes, they perceive environmental conservation as having little financial benefits, so they focus more on income-generating activities," she remarked.

One of the champions, Joseph Magere from the Ardhi University said the training was useful as most of them had not practiced what they had learnt. “We have learned from our fellow students on how to properly take care of the environment as well as the challenges they are facing”.

"We have come up with solutions on how young people should be involved in environmental issues, but also on our national responsibility as youth to inspire our peers to protect the environment at all levels, said Magere.

He said most of the water sources including   Mara River in Mara Region have been affected by human activities while climate change has led to rising temperatures, hence the need for people to understand the issues to ensure people live in better environment.