Dar es Salaam. The National Environment Trust Fund (NETF) plans to start providing financial assistance to researches engaging in environmental sciences and also increase number of experts in the field by giving scholarships opportunities.
Prominent businessman Ali Mufuruki, who is also the chairman of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, made this revelation during the Mwananchi Thought Leadership Forum that debated the charcoal question in Tanzania’s economy and the environment.
Mr Mufuruki noted that the Fund, which was established in 2004, faced some operational challenges in the past three years, but efforts to resolve them have yielded and the organization was now operating at full capacity.
“The Fund has seven major objectives including providing funding for research in environmental sciences and conducting capacity building across the country,” he said.
According to him, the Fund will also provide scholarships for students in the environment sciences because there is a shortage of experts in the area.
Other functions include rewarding and recognizing environmental activists, helping challenged communities through grants and producing publications that will educate the public on the importance of protecting the environment.
He added, “The fund will also fund the national environmental advisory council, which comprises of minister and government top officials to discuss the issues concerning environment”.
Regarding the charcoal economy, which is the major topic for the forum, Mr Mufuluki challenged business community to always take into consideration the negative impact their businesses had on the environment.
The forum was graced by the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union Affairs and Environment), Mr January Makamba.
By Josephine Christopher
Source: The Citizen