Protection of Gombe: UNESCO recognition

Protection of Gombe: UNESCO recognition
04/10/2018 Webmaster

? Gombe  National Park is best known for the research that Jane Goodall did there. But with its beautiful nature, distinguished by steep valleys and the forest vegetation that ranges from grassland to woodland to tropical rainforest, it is not only a home for chimpanzees, but it also houses a large diversity of other animal species.

Together with the forest land reserves and a part of Lake Tanganyika, Gombe Park forms the Gombe Masito Ugalla ecosystem.

In July 2018, this ecosystem was acknowledged as an official Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. These reserves bring biodiversity conservation together with human activity through the use of sustainable natural resources.

The Jane Goodall Institute Global Board and network of chapters are very grateful to UNESCO and the government of Tanzania for this valuable recognition.

This is what Dr. Jane Goodall said about this important moment:

“It is wonderful news. I hope that it will lead to more recognition of a truly unique area that is home to almost all of Tanzania’s remaining chimpanzee population as well as for many other animals and their habitats. Hopefully the added recognition of its importance will attract more funding to improve conservation efforts, and to improve the lives of local communities, and thus create new partners in conservation.I hope too that we shall be able to introduce the Jane Goodall Institute’s environmental and humanitarian program for young people, Roots & Shoots, into all the schools within the Reserve. Congratulations to everyone who has worked so diligently to make this dream a reality.”