The European Union Commission has cut funding for Tanzania’s wildlife conservation due to concerns over human rights violations. The country lost eligibility for an €18.4 million grant to be shared with Kenya, with the decision based on evictions of the Maasai people from Ngorongoro and Loliondo areas for tourism expansion.
The World Bank also suspended funding for a $150 million conservation project in southern Tanzania, investigating human rights abuses. The EC excluded Tanzania from the NaturAfrica program, focusing on Kenya instead. Critics slam Tanzania for forced resettlements and violating indigenous rights.
The EC emphasizes a human rights-based approach in conservation efforts, including free, prior, and informed consent from local communities. The Maasai International Solidarity Alliance and Survival International praise the decision, calling out the negative impacts of conservation on indigenous rights.
Tanzania’s tourism sector drives economic growth, with significant revenue gains in recent years. TANAPA reports a 94% increase in income from game parks, reflecting the sector’s rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.