Environmental studies and geotourism

The Earth’s geological potential involves not only its mineral and energy resources and land-use for construction, but also wildlife, educational and recreational values. Environmental information and geotourism contribute to people’s responsibility for the environment and their ability to integrate environmental considerations into all decision-making in an informed manner.

Environmental studies

Environmental knowledge extends to whatever puts quality and content into people’s lives. Ultimately environmental awareness aims at changing people’s environmental attitudes and more importantly, their behaviour.

Geotourism

Geological as well as biological features may attract nature lovers and tourists. Natural attractions can also generate considerable service business. Tourism should be organized on a sustainable basis to ensure that these attractions give lasting pleasure to future generations.

Tanzania has some of the geological wonders of the world as geotouristic attractions. Among the most prominent attractions include

• Ngorongoro Crater - one of the ten wonders of the world and largest volcanic crater in the world.
• Kilimanjaro mountain: The roof of Africa standing at 5,895 m.a.s.l and is the highest volcanic peak in the world.
• Oldonyo Lengai: The only natro-carbornatite volcano on the planet earth.
• Olduvai Gorge: Spectacular and very fertile volcanic ash blankets laid over Precambrian age (about 2 billion years old) and Neo proterozoic eclogites at Chisi. Metamorphic rocks. It is the place where remains of the earliest man were found.
• East African Rift Valley: Host of largest and deepest lakes of Africa, diverse types of evaporates, salt deposits, hot springs and magnificent cinder cones and craters.
• Mautia Hill: The only locality in the world where the mineral yoderite occurs in nature in a complex skarn – type metamorphic mineral assemblage
• Eclogite occurrences: The most ancient ultra high pressure “eclogites” at Yalumba, Ikola, and Kungwe Bay of Paleoproterozoic

To develop geotourism GST provides:

• Evaluation of regional nature values.
• Mapping and popularization of nature targets.
• Innovative design of geo-parks, trails and visitor centres of geological attractions.
• Production of educational and tuition materials (guide books, site information, multimedia presentations, in-depth studies).

Land use and planning