Tanzania demolishes over 700 houses built in forest reserves

State-run Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) said on Thursday it has demolished a total of 704 houses built in forest reserves in Singida and Manyara regions.

Uswege Mwasumbi, TFS conservation officer for Singida region, said the houses have been demolished in the past one week after it was established that the owners of the structures have done massive damage to the forest reserves.

Mwasumbi said owners of the demolished houses engaged in farming, livestock keeping and charcoal making in the forest reserves, destroying their ecology.

Binilith Mahenge, the Singida regional commissioner, said houses to be built in the forest reverses will be demolished and seized livestock will be confiscated by the government. Enditem