The Selous-Niassa Wildlife Corridor Project

With a US$1 million support from the Global Environment Facility/UNDP the Government of Tanzania initiated the conservation of the corridor in 2005. The project "Development and Management of the Selous-Niassa Wildlife Corridor" will extend community based natural resources management from the southern support-zone of the Selous Game Reserve towards the border with Mozambique. Villages in Namtumbo and Tunduru Districts will be able to establish a network of WMA linking the Selous and Niassa Game Reserves. Benefits from sustainable natural resources management will enhance the livelihood security of rural poor and promote the long-term conservation of the corridor. "GTZ-International Services" is implementing this cooperation project of the Wildlife Division and UNDP. Late 2004 the District Authorities, GTZ and the "Mtwara Development Corridor" conducted a joint planning study for tourism development, wildlife based industries and participatory forest management along the Ruvuma river Interface.

With increasing dialogue and cross-border cooperation this region could develop into one of the world`s largest transfrontier conservation areas, contributing to nature protection, poverty reduction and peace.