The Tanzania National Parks Authority commonly known as TANAPA is responsible for the management of Tanzania's national parks. TANAPA is a parastatal corporation and all its income is reinvested into the organization. It is governed by a number of instruments including the National Parks Act, Chapter 282 of the 2002 and the Wildlife Conservation Act No. 5 of 2009.[1] TANAPA manages the nation's 23 National parks which covers approximately 15% of the land area and has the mandate to conserve and manage the wildlife in Tanzania, and to enforce the related laws and regulations in this industry. It manages the biodiversity of the country, protecting and conserving the flora and fauna. The organization does not have a mandate over the game reserves such as the Selous Game Reserve which is managed by the Tanzanian Wildlife Division and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Authority.[2]
The Arusha Manifesto gave the initial foundation for the expansion of the Tanzanian National Park authority and an increase in protected areas in the country, as of December 2015 parks, reserves and conservation areas cover about 14% percent of the land.[2] Currently TANAPA is governed by the National Parks Ordinance Chapter 282 of the 2002 and manages 22 national parks.[3]
According to some reliable information (Oakland Institute [CA], Avaaz.org), TANAPA has recently (Jan 2024) been trying to evict by force Maassai people (shooting, harassment, arrests, and seizing cattle of Maassai villagers). Should this info be confirmed, we urge the Tanzanian Government to stand against any form of harassment to the Maassai people and protect them according to the law of the country.
TANAPA manages 22 national parks covering an area of 99,306.50 km2 (38,342 sq mi) approximately the land area of Croatia. TANAPA is responsible for the following parks:[4][5][6]
TANAPA's main source of revenue is sourced from tourist arrivals. TANAPA in collaboration with the Tanzania Tourist Board markets the national parks locally and internationally to attract visitors. TANAPA has also been mandated to promote domestic tourism.[1]
A TANAPA Land rover 4x4 vehicle at the Lukukuru post in the Rubondo Island National Park.
A TANAPA Patrol Aircraft
It is TANAPA's first and foremost goal to protect the wildlife and natural resources living in the park and to ensure tourists do not cause damage to the ecosystem. The organization has received various donations of vehicles and aircraft to help train rangers with modern technology and techniques.[9]
TANAPA also pays to maintain the park facilities for tourists and conservation activities such as Roads, Gates, Boundaries and Airstrips. TANAPA currently manages 26 airstrips throughout its network of national parks.[10] Often forest fires break out in the parks and it is under TANAPA's mandate to put them out. The authority also has in place a Fire management plan implemented yearly which help reducing number of destructive insect e.g. tsetse fly, help reduce the amount of litter that can catalyze a fire during dry season and also early burning of the grass helps facilitate new forage for animals.[11]
