The Directorate
of Environmental Planning and Research (DEPR) is one
of the four technical directorates in the National
Environment Management Council (NEMC). It is responsible
for environmental planning and research in various
areas, ranging from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems.
Responsibilities
:
DEPR is working very close with its stakeholders at
National to local levels in environmental planning,
implementation, researching and monitoring on various
thematic aspects in order to provide technical information
to government decision makers.
The Directorate is therefore tasked on the following:
Identifying, assessing threatened/sensitive/critical/fragile
areas/ecosystems and developing management plans in
collaboration with other stakeholders, and coordinating
environmental issues.
Some of these critical areas/ecosystems which DEPR
is currently working on are: Coastal areas which are
managed by Tanzania Coastal Management Partnership,
Lakes (wetland component) under Lake Victoria Environment
Management Project. Areas with endemic species in
Morogoro and Iringa which are managed by the Lower
Kihansi Environment Management Project. Mainstreaming
environmental issues into Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Development of environmental research agenda. Implementation
of Man and Biosphere reserves (MAB), Lake Manyara
Biosphere reserve, Ngorongoro Biosphere reserve, Ngorongoro
– Serengeti Biosphere reserve, and East Usambara
Biosphere reserve.
Previously activities that DEPR had worked on were:
Implementation of Cross Boarder Biodiversity project
across the East African countries (Tanzania, Kenya
and Uganda).
Implementation of the Ruvuma Women Project.
Development of the Eastern Arch and Coastal Forests
Project.
Providing technical advice to entities engaged in
environment,
Coordinating the development of environmental research,
Formulating and implementing public awareness programmes.
The Directorate is also responsible for monitoring
the implementation of various environment related
plans by various programmes.
