DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Friday urged the 16 member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to seriously address environmental conservation to save the region from a catastrophic situation.
Opening a SADC conference for ministers responsible for environment, natural resources and tourism which was held in Tanzania's northern tourist city of Arusha, she said there was high degree of environmental degradation in the region.
"It is disappointing to learn that the speed at which environmental degradation is taking place has overlapped efforts to conserve the environment," Hassan said in her speech.
"SADC member countries are facing massive environmental ruin, destruction of marine resources, depletion of forests, encroachment of wildlife habitat and deterioration of biodiversity," she added.
"We are all aware of the catastrophic impacts caused by climate change to humankind. We are witness to weather changes, rising sea levels, changes in rain patterns that have resulted in droughts, floods and low crop yields," she told the conference.
She urged the SADC member states to set aside special funds for addressing environmental concerns.
The official also called on people in SADC countries to support efforts being implemented by their governments toward environmental conservation.
