For the past eight years, I (Pius) have curated, assessed, and documented stories of communities working to conserve the Eastern Arc Mountains in collaboration with the Tanzania Forest Service Agency (TFS), Imani Nsamila, David Msanja, and Laurent Kimbatu, across reserves including Mkingu, Uluguru, and Magamba in Tanga.
During Climate Week in New York in 2025, I shared the story of Zainabu, a young mother of two and farmer I met in 2023 while documenting conservation initiatives in the Uluguru Mountains. Three times a week, between 3 and 5 a.m., she and her team from the Uluguru Environmental Group patrol the forest to prevent poaching, illegal farming, and logging. She does this voluntarily because she understands what is at stake.
She should not have to do it alone.
The Eastern Arc Mountain forests supply 70% of the water for Dar es Salaam, serving over six million people. They shelter more than 200 endemic species and rank among the world's most effective carbon sinks. Last week, alongside photographers Imani Nsamila and David Masanja, we documented four nature reserves from Amani to Arumeru, all managed by TFS. Everywhere we went, we found communities like Zainabu's holding the line.
This is precisely where ESG and CSR investment matter most.
At Tengeneza Generation (TEG), we connect businesses and cooperatives with verified, community-led conservation programs in these forests. For companies navigating Tanzania's growing ESG regulatory requirements from DSE sustainability reporting to the Central Bank's climate finance guidelines, partnering with TEG means your investment funds have a real impact, generate credible documentation, and support communities who are already doing the work.
Zainabu's story is not just a conservation story. It is a business case for investing in Tanzania's natural infrastructure before it is too late.
Take our free ESG & CSR Self-Assessment to find out how your organisation can get involved: https://form.jotform.com/260941380570052
