Enviromental Committee

The committee’s job is to fight against forest crime. As a committee, we hold meetings every week to plan patrols, so we have a patrol every week. At first, we used to go informally, but now we have guidelines that we follow even when we catch a criminal. When we catch a criminal, we report them to the ward office, and they are held accountable and fined. If we face significant challenges, the guidelines allow us to collaborate with SUMA-JKT to control emerging crime. Through the patrols we conduct, God is helping our forest, and it is now in good condition due to the work we do. We are grateful to the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund (EAMCEF) for providing us with equipment. At first, we were unknown, you could pass through a place and tell someone you are an environmental committee, but they will ignore you. But through EAMCEF funding, we are grateful because now everyone recognizes us as a committee. We educate the community about recklessly burning the forest, which has consequences for future generations, so we visit their villages and hold meetings to educate them.

As is customary, our village is among those on the outskirts of the Chome Nature Forest Reserve. The uniforms provided to our environmental committee helps a lot. The community did not recognize them, although they know each other in their neighborhood. Now, when they wear these uniforms, it becomes easy to understand the work they do. We thank the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund (EAMCEF) for their funding.

Criminals used to despise us because they saw us as equals, but now that we have uniforms, we are easily recognizable and even when they see us, they are afraid. So, we are very grateful for the uniforms we have been given. With the uniforms you gave us, you have given us a valuable asset that is good; we are recognized wherever we go. In the past, we used to wear ordinary shoes, meaning we could be pricked by thorns, but now when we step on anything, we feel powerful because we have been given suitable shoes for the job.

With EAMCEF’s training, we established by-laws, received uniforms, and reduced illegal activities in Mkingu Nature Forest Reserve. We now educate the community on the forest’s benefits, like clean water and eco-tourism. Thanks to EAMCEF, the forest is safer, and the community values its importance.

At first, villagers doubted my role as a woman in conservation, but EAMCEF’s training and support boosted my confidence and earned me respect. With uniforms and equipment, we now patrol 3-4 times a week and effectively reduce illegal activities. I also educate other women about forest conservation, proving that women can lead in protecting our environment.