Unguja South. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has directed land surveying and urban planning authorities across the country to ensure that new residential and land-use plans deliberately set aside green spaces and areas for tree planting to promote environmentally resilient settlements.
President Samia made the call on January 27, 2026, at Bungi Kilimo in the South Unguja Region shortly after leading a tree-planting exercise and addressing leaders and residents during celebrations marking her birthday.
She stressed that proper planning of new areas must enable citizens to plant trees and build settlements that are resilient to environmental challenges, noting that green spaces are no longer optional but a necessity for sustainable human habitation.
“A child who plants and tends a tree from an early age grows up with a deep sense of love for nature and a strong commitment to safeguarding the country’s natural resources,” the President further emphasised.
Dr Samia said environmental degradation has direct and far-reaching effects on the lives of Tanzanians and the overall wellbeing of the nation, citing water scarcity, declining agricultural productivity and adverse impacts on human health as some of the consequences.
She noted that tree planting is among the most effective measures to mitigate such challenges, explaining that a tree planted and cared for today contributes to rainfall in the future, protects land for food production, conserves water sources and ensures adequate water availability for present and future generations.
President Samia was born on January 27, 1960, in Kizimkazi Village, South Unguja Region, Zanzibar.
Speaking at the same event, the minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Mr Hamad Masauni, said President Samia’s leadership has enabled Tanzania to make significant strides in environmental conservation, climate change mitigation and the strengthening of the Union through the principles of sustainable development.
Mr Masauni said the President has spearheaded far-reaching strategic reforms in the environmental sector, including the development and implementation of the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy, which aims to ensure that more than 80 per cent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy by 2034.
“President Samia has led international efforts to mobilise financial resources for clean cooking energy in Africa, enhancing Tanzania’s access to global climate and environmental financing mechanisms,” Mr Masauni noted.
“As a result, she has earned national and international recognition as a leader who places high priority on environmental protection,” he added.
Under her leadership, Tanzania has established a National Carbon Trading Coordination Centre to enable the country to benefit more from carbon market opportunities while increasing revenues derived from environmental conservation, Mr Masauni said.
He also noted that funding for environmental and climate change initiatives has increased from both domestic and external sources, alongside the establishment of a dedicated Climate Change Finance Unit.
For the first time, he added, Tanzania has adopted a National Development Vision that recognises the environment and climate resilience as core pillars of development, complemented by the ruling party’s 2025–2030 Election Manifesto, which places strong emphasis on environmental conservation.
