Experts have claimed that people around the country`s biosphere reserves - Eastern Usambara, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara - have not been relieved from vicious poverty because their places have not been adequately promoted and developed.

Tanzania's environmental experts argue that biosphere reserves need to be promoted and sensitised in the need for positive impact on conserving the country`s natural resources.

"The general public is not well-informed on how it can best be involved in the management of biospheres and its benefits," a National Environment Management Council official said.

In an interview in Dar es Salaam yesterday, NEMC principal environmental management officer Dr. Fadhila Khatibu explained that the awareness level amongst Tanzanians on the importance of conserving biosphere reserves was still low.

"This is an area that requires collective efforts to make public the available natural resources and the environment," Dr. Khatibu said.

"Through the `Man and Biosphere` programme, NEMC is planning to have TV programmes to address these issues for the benefit of the public and the country`s economy," she said.

The community has a lot to benefit from these biosphere reserves, which, according to Dr.Khatibu, include direct and indirect employment opportunities towards poverty reduction.

Through TV programmes, NEMC will focus much on developing environmental conservation interests of the country's natural heritage amongst children.

"Children are at the focal point of this because they are the next generation," she said.

The NEMC environmental officer said proper conservation of biosphere reserves will make ecotourism and cultural heritage, improve people's livelihoods.

The Maasai cultural shows, for example, have now began to show the benefits of ecotourism as tourists flock into the areas, she noted.

She explained that, in Eastern Usambara biosphere reserve, there are many unique tree species, which, if properly researched will reveal useful results for medicinal needs.

"There are lots of indigenous medicinal plants there. What is needed is to extend research on this. There is a lot of knowledge which has not been explored," she said.

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