The WOW Demonstration Project in the Dar es Salaam Wetlands has now closed.
The Dar es Salaam Wetland system is part of the Indian Ocean coastline with lagoons, creeks, intertidal mudflats with sea grass beds, estuaries, saltpans, mangrove forests, thickets, sand beaches, cliffs and several small islands. The area supports up to 30,000 migratory waterbirds during northern winter months and over 100,000 waterbirds use the site as a stop over during their movement further south.
With over 3 million people already living in Dar es Salaam City, the pressure on the Dar es Salaam Wetland is increasing due to rapid unplanned urban development which is becoming an emerging threat to the integrity and ecological value of the site. Related threats include pollution of watercourses by industrial and urban effluents, solid waste littering beaches, clearing of mangroves, beach erosion, oil spills and coastal tourism development.
In this context, many wetland areas are not yet protected. Insufficient knowledge and awareness of stakeholders and decision-makers on the importance and ecosystem services provided by wetlands is partly the cause of this lack of action, and it is threatening the future existence of the wetland ecosystem.
The project has undertaken awareness activities and has produced a short film on the value of the Dar es Salaam Wetlands.
ADDITIONAL PROJECT INFORMATION:
LOCAL IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES:
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY OF TANZANIA
WCST is the only national conservation organization in Tanzania. WCST has been involved in an array of conservation activities at local and national levels. The Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania's mission is to work towards the conservation of the flora, fauna, and environment of Tanzania for the benefit of mankind.
For more information please see: www.wcstarusha.org