Morogoro. The Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) has announced plans to adopt modern technology in the management of the country’s forests.
From this fiscal year, every forest reserve will have a management plan supported by digital data.
The directive was given on February 19, 2026, by Dr Zainabu Shamati Bungwa, Acting Director of Resource Management and Assistant Commissioner of Conservation, while presenting on behalf of the Commissioner at the second day of the Fourth Conference of TFS Centre Leaders and Commanders at Cate Hotel, Morogoro.
Dr Bungwa said TFS manages 465 forests across mainland Tanzania and 169 districts. These include 26 nature forest reserves, 26 plantation forests, and 14 commercial reserves.
The agency also oversees approximately 158,100 hectares of mangrove forests in Mtwara, Lindi, Pwani, Dar es Salaam, and Tanga. In total, the resources cover about 14 million hectares.
“For such vast areas and with our current resources, we cannot succeed without modern technology,” she said.
Under the Forest Act and Beekeeping Act, TFS is tasked with managing, developing, and educating the public about forest and bee resources for the benefit of current and future generations.
Every forest is required to have a management plan, which must now be built on digital data collection.
Dr Bungwa highlighted the use of GPS for geospatial data, digital calipers for precise tree measurements, and RTK technology for boundary and harvesting plot verification.
The agency has purchased 11 drones and trained 11 pilots from different regions to monitor forest damage, ecological changes, and real-time forest conditions.
“We must operate in a world of GIS and satellite-based monitoring. Without this, we cannot be credible nationally or internationally,” she stressed.
TFS uses digital systems including FRAMIS, PMIS, and e-Misitu.
Accurate, timely data will support administrative, conservation, and commercial decisions.
Digital information will also help meet the needs of tourism stakeholders, carbon investors, seed producers, and other ecological service sectors.
“Forests provide all services – from water and biodiversity to carbon sequestration. The world needs to see this capacity in measurable terms,” Dr Bungwa said.
The initiative aligns with Tanzania’s Vision 2050, aiming for sustainable forest management and climate resilience through modern technology.
She urged centre commanders to ensure all patrols, operations, and management activities use these tools.
“Can we succeed without technology? Can we be heard globally without digital systems? The answer is no,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, retired TANAPA Marketing Director Ibrahim A. Mussa said TFS has the potential to be a key driver of eco-tourism.
He noted that recent statistics show a rapid increase in visitors to forest reserves, from 59,606 in 2020/21 to 152,954 by mid-2023/24.
The 2024/25 target is 500,000 visitors. Revenue has grown from Sh154.9 million to Sh1.27 billion, with a goal of Sh3 billion.
Mussa emphasised that eco-tourism is more than recreation. It strengthens the green economy, preserves biodiversity, and supports conservation diplomacy.
He highlighted opportunities created by government regulations, including investment-friendly frameworks for eco-lodges and nature-based services.
Attractive sites include Amani Nature Reserve, Pugu-Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve, Magamba Forest Reserve, and Minziro Forest Reserve.
However, challenges such as invasive species, climate change, boundary disputes, and pressures from unplanned tourism remain.
He urged TFS to brand itself as a leader in green tourism, improve data collection and processing, expand drone use for marketing and visitor safety, and involve local communities and private investors to support conservation projects.
Conference participants said the discussion opened a broad debate on balancing revenue goals with the core mandate of forest conservation.
