Arusha council to set up environment court By Lusekelo Philemon

John Mongella

Arusha city council is to set up a special environment court to deal with people found degrading the environment.

Arusha district Commissioner John Mongella revealed this here yesterday when speaking at a public debate on climate change and ways to address the adverse impact of eco-degradation. The debate was hosted by an Arusha-based NGO, ANGONET.

“We’re currently looking into the possibility of setting up a court on environment matters and how it will operate,” the DC said.
He said when the court is operational culprits would be liable to six-month jail sentences or fines.

He said climate change was a real threat to human survival, hence there was need to take action to address the trend.
The DC said most parts of the world have been experiencing unprecedented climatic changes, which costs governments, as sometimes they are forced to buy food to feed those in need.

“In some areas people have been starving because they have nothing to eat, and some areas which used to produce bumper crops are now producing much less,” he said.

He commended ANGONET for organizing the debate to exchange views on how to improve the country’s environment, which was now threatened by rampant tree felling for charcoal and timber.
“It is high time Tanzanians took responsibility on environmental conservation seriously,” he said, calling on youths in the city of Arusha to form environmental groups.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN