- The World Bank suspends $150 million in funding for Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park extension.
- Oakland Institute reports abuses by forest rangers, including disappearances and assaults.
The World Bank announced on April 18, 2024, that it is halting $150 million in funding for the extension of Ruaha National Park in Tanzania. The Oakland Institute raised the following Concerns about abuses by forest rangers.
The REGROW project aims to improve southern Tanzania’s natural resource management and tourism. Still, reports by the Oakland Institute reveal forest rangers allegedly committing severe abuses, including disappearances, executions, and sexual assaults.
The suspended funding is part of efforts to expand Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s second-largest park covering 20,000 km2. However, the Oakland Institute’s findings suggest widespread violations in the project area.
The institute also claims that thousands of cattle have been illegally seized and auctioned, causing significant harm to local pastoralists. Over $100 million has been disbursed for the REGROW project since 2017.
Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director of the Oakland Institute, sees the funding suspension as a victory for marginalised communities. He warned the Tanzanian government against committing human rights abuses to pursue tourism development.
Tanzania relies heavily on tourism revenue, especially with a 24% increase in foreign arrivals in 2023. However, concerns persist over the government’s aggressive expansion of the tourism sector.
According to the Oakland Institute, the Tanzanian authorities plan to relocate nearly 20,000 people near Ruaha National Park to facilitate tourism development.