Introduction
In this document we go through all the steps taken to tidy up the boundaries of the five WMAs in the Ruvuma Region.
Ruvuma Region
First we start with Ruvuma Region. This is the map of the region from the Tanzanian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Tunduru District
Next we look at Tunduru and Namtumbo Districts. These are the maps of the districts from the Tanzanian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Nyerere National Park/Selous Game Reserve
Finally we have the Nyerere National Park/Selous Game Reserve which includes the area that was removed for the uranium mine. We are still waiting for confirmation from TANAPA that these are the most up to date maps of the National Park’s southern boundary.
Updating maps
Based on meetings with the Tunduru District Council, we have assumed that the shapefile provided by Tunduru District Council is the most up to date map from this region. This shapefile has been certified by Tunduru District Council. We have therefore used this map to form the new boundaries of Namtumbo District, and Ruvuma Region. These then form the basis for subsequent edits to the five WMA boundaries.
Furthermore, for all areas, we have updated the maps to use much more accurate satellite imagery of the Ruvuma River to the South as the southern most boundary.
Map of Tunduru District that was provided compared with map from NBS
Below we show the adjusted map of Tunduru District, based on the Tunduru District Council’s (Tunduru DC) confirmed map. This is called Tunduru DC in the map below. Districts NBS represents the previous version of Tunduru and Namtumbo Districts from the Tanzanian National Bureau of Statistics, for reference. The map of Nyerere National Park is also included for reference. Note that the principle differences are in the north eastern, eastern, and western boundaries of Tunduru district.
Map of Ruvuma Region with Adjustment
Below we show the adjusted map of the Ruvuma Region, based on the aforementioned Tunduru District Council’s (Tunduru DC) confirmed map. This is called Ruvuma Edited in the map below. Ruvuma NBS represents the previous version from the Tanzanian National Bureau of Statistics, for reference. The maps of Tunduru DC and Nyerere National Park are also included for reference. Note that the principle differences are in the north eastern boundary of the Ruvuma region, as well as along the southern portion, which now more closely follows the centre of the Ruvuma river, the national boundary with Mozambique.
Map of Namtumbo District with Adjustment
Below we show the adjusted map of Namtumbo District, based on the Tunduru District Council’s (Tunduru DC) confirmed map. This is called Namtumbo Edited in the map below. Districts NBS represents the previous version of Namtumbo and Tunduru Districts from the Tanzanian National Bureau of Statistics, for reference. The maps from Tunduru DC and Nyerere National Park are also included for reference. Note that there are a number of difference all along the boundary between the two districts, but particularly where Tunduru DC’s map follows a river course that the Namtumbo NBS map does not.
Using the updated maps to update WMA maps
A number of version of maps exist for the 5 WMAs in the Ruvuma Region. Below we will refer to “old” maps of the WMAs that were produced before boundaries were fully verified and General Management Plans were agreed upon. We also present “boundary check” maps, which represent the boundaries that were produced following a boundary verification exercise by WWF. This verification exercise helped to deal with a number of critical issues, including the boundary between Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous GR) and Nalika WMA, and between Muhuwesi GR and Nalika WMA, among others.
However, these “boundary check” WMA boundaries line up with the Tanzanian National Bureau of Statistics boundaries for the Ruvuma Region and the Namtumbo and Tunduru Districts. Therefore, we ensured that all 5 WMA boundaries matched those of the Ruvuma Region, Namtumbo District, or Tunduru District, based on the updated boundaries after using the maps confirmed by Tunduru District Council (Tunduru DC). These WMA maps are given the suffix “edited”.
Below we will go through the steps taken for each of the 5 WMAs and present the results of the maps before and after the minor corrections were made.
Nalika WMA
The boundary verification exercise in Nalika helped to verify the disputed boundaries between Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous GR) and Nalika WMA, and between Muhuwesi Forest Reserve and Nalika WMA.
The old version of Nalika WMA’s map is presented as “Nalika Old” below. Then, the version of Nalika WMA that was based on the verification process is called “Nalika Boundary Check”, where Nalika WMA’s northern boundary was extended into Nyerere NP, and the eastern boundary lines up with the updated Muhuwesi Forest Reserve boundary. The western boundary follows the previous version of the Tunduru District boundary.
This leaves us with the “Nalika Edited” map, which replicates the boundaries in the Nalika Boundary Check, except where it does not line up with the updated Tunduru DC boundary. One triangular wedge which was partly included in the Nalika Old map, was included in the Nalika Edited map. This was because, following the edits to the Tunduru DC boundary, the east and west boundaries of the WMA met at one river confluence. This detail will have to be discussed with Nalika WMA, villages and Tunduru DC.
Areas
Based on our calculations, the Nalika Old WMA shapefile has an area of 1325.1km2, the Nalika Boundary Check WMA shapefile has an area of 1842.1km2 (in the Nalika General Management Plan it is 1,843 km2) and the Nalika Edited WMA shapefile has an area of 1840.8km2.
Note that these calculations have been made based on spatial files in using the EPSG 4326 (World Geodetic System 1984). This was because Tunduru DC boundaries were mapped by hand, and any boundary corrections to rivers were made with basemaps using WGS 1984. Therefore, if greater accuracy is required, we suggest transforming to Arc 1960 (Clarke 1880) UTM 37S.
Villages in Nalika WMA
| List from WMA |
|---|
| Hulia |
| Darajambili |
| Namwinyu |
| Namakungwa |
| Ndenyende |
| Rahaleo |
| Mbungulaji |
| Kajima |
| Kindamba |
| Twendembele |
Mbarangandu WMA
The old version of Mbarangandu WMA’s map is presented as “Mbarangandu Old” below. Then, the version of Mbarangandu WMA that was based on the verification process is called “Mbarangandu Boundary Check”, where Mbarangandu WMA’s northern boundary was extended into Nyerere NP, and follows the boundary of Nyerere NP in the north west part of the WMA.
This leaves us with the “Mbarangandu Edited” map, which replicates the boundaries in the Mbarangandu Boundary Check, except where it does not line up with the updated Namtumbo DC and Ruvuma Region boundaries. The portions of the WMA that were outside these boundaries, were removed. Furthermore, the whole WMA file has been shift so that all boundaries line up with those of other WMAs, the district boundaries, as well as rivers and roads. However, even after this editing, two gaps remained between the northern boundary of the WMA and Nyerere National Park. Following meetings in January, February, and March 2024 between Carbon Tanzania, the District government, and WMA officials, these areas have now been included in “Mbarangandu Edited”. As part of these northern boundary adjustments, the portion of Mbarangandu that overlaps with the best map we had for the Nyerere National Park, was removed. This was because, unlike the case for Nalika WMA, the process of checking these boundaries with the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) is not yet finalised. In meetings held in January, February, and March 2024 between Carbon Tanzania, the District government and WMA officials, to present back these maps, all parties confirmed that they are happy with the Mbarangadu Edited boundaries.
Areas
Based on our calculations, the Mbarangandu Old WMA shapefile has an area of 3048.6km2; the Mbarangandu Boundary Check WMA shapefile (including only the areas that are set aside as “hifadhi” and not “akiba”) has an area of 3572.6km2 (in the Mbarangandu General Management Plan it is 2318.2km2); and finally, the Mbarangandu Edited WMA shapefile, which includes the gaps between the WMA and the National Park, but excludes the part of the WMA that overlaps with Nyerere National Park, has an area of 3583.6km2 (including only the areas that are set aside as “hifadhi” and not “akiba”).
Note that these calculations have been made based on spatial files in using the EPSG 4326 (World Geodetic System 1984). This was because Tunduru DC boundaries were mapped by hand, and any boundary corrections to rivers were made with basemaps using WGS 1984. Therefore, if greater accuracy is required, we suggest transforming to Arc 1960 (Clarke 1880) UTM 37S.
Villages in Mbarangandu WMA
| List from WMA |
|---|
| Mchomoro |
| Songambele |
| Kilimasera |
| Likuyu sekamaganga |
| Nambecha |
| Kitanda |
| Mtelawamwahi |
Chingoli WMA
The old version of Chingoli WMA’s map is presented as “Chingoli Old” below. Then, the version of Chingoli WMA that was based on the verification process is called “Chingoli Boundary Check”.
This leaves us with the “Chingoli Edited” map, which replicates the boundaries in the Chingoli Boundary Check, except where it does not line up with the updated Namtumbo DC boundaries, or where it overlaps with other WMAs. The portions of the WMA that were outside these boundaries, were removed.
At date of publication (2024-03-15), Chingoli WMA had not produced their General Management Plan. However, meetings held in January, February, and March 2024 between Carbon Tanzania, the District government and WMA officials confirmed that the Chingoli Edited map was correct.
Areas
Based on our calculations, the Chingoli Old WMA shapefile has an area of 196.9km2; the Chingoli Boundary Check WMA shapefile has an area of 458 km2; and the Chingoli Edited WMA shapefile has an area of 445, 11.7km2.
Note that these calculations have been made based on spatial files in using the EPSG 4326 (World Geodetic System 1984). This was because Tunduru DC boundaries were mapped by hand, and any boundary corrections to rivers were made with basemaps using WGS 1984. Therefore, if greater accuracy is required, we suggest transforming to Arc 1960 (Clarke 1880) UTM 37S.
Villages in Chingoli WMA
| List from WMAs |
|---|
| Marumba |
| Molandi |
| Misyaje |
| Mpanji |
| Legezamwendo |
| Machemba |
| Chajila |
| Nampungu |
| Mbatamila |
| Kitalo |
| Mkandu |
Kisungule WMA
The old version of Kisungule WMA’s map is presented as “Kisungule Old” below. Then, the version of Kisungule WMA that was based on the verification process is called “Kisungule Boundary Check”.
This leaves us with the “Kisungule Edited” map, which replicates the boundaries in the Kisungule Boundary Check, except where it does not line up with the updated Namtumbo DC and Ruvuma Region boundaries. For instance the whole section along the Namtumbo Tunduru district boundaries was adjusted to match, as well as the section to the south, which now more closely follows the centre of the Ruvuma river, as in the Ruvuma regions map.
Areas
Based on our calculations, the Kisungule Old WMA shapefile has an area of 2177.2km2; the Kisungule Boundary Check WMA shapefile (including only the areas that are set aside as “hifadhi” or “ukingo wa hifadhi”) has an area of 1798.7km2 (in the Kisungule General Management Plan it is 1430km2); the Kisungule Edited WMA shapefile has an area of 1804.3km2 (including only the areas that are set aside as “hifadhi” or “ukingo wa hifadhi”).
Note that these calculations have been made based on spatial files in using the EPSG 4326 (World Geodetic System 1984). This was because Tunduru DC boundaries were mapped by hand, and any boundary corrections to rivers were made with basemaps using WGS 1984. Therefore, if greater accuracy is required, we suggest transforming to Arc 1960 (Clarke 1880) UTM 37S.
Villages in Kisungule WMA
The number of villages in the boundary verification maps do not match those that are the official list of villages from the WMA.
| List from WMAs | List in GIS maps |
|---|---|
| Amani | Amani |
| Magazini | Magazini |
| Sasawala | |
| Likusanguse | Likusanguse |
Kimbanda WMA
The old version of Kimbanda WMA’s map is presented as “Kimbanda Old” below. Then, the version of Kimbanda WMA that was based on the verification process is called “Kimbanda Boundary Check”.
This leaves us with the “Kimbanda Edited” map, which replicates the boundaries in the Kimbanda Boundary Check, except where it does not line up with the updated Namtumbo DC and Ruvuma Region boundaries. For instance along the section to the south, which now more closely follows the centre of the Ruvuma river, as in the Ruvuma regions map.
Areas
Based on our calculations, the Kimbanda Old WMA shapefile has an area of 3307.9km2; the Kimbanda Boundary Check WMA shapefile (including only the areas that are set aside as “hifadhi” or “ukingo” or “ukingo wa hifadhi”) has an area of 2534.7km2 (in the Kimbanda General Management Plan it is 2,310km2); the Kimbanda Edited WMA shapefile has an area of 2614.8km2 (including only the areas that are set aside as “hifadhi” or “ukingo” or “ukingo wa hifadhi”).
Note that these calculations have been made based on spatial files in using the EPSG 4326 (World Geodetic System 1984). This was because Tunduru DC boundaries were mapped by hand, and any boundary corrections to rivers were made with basemaps using WGS 1984. Therefore, if greater accuracy is required, we suggest transforming to Arc 1960 (Clarke 1880) UTM 37S.
Villages in Kimbanda WMA
The number of villages in the boundary verification maps do not match those that are the official list of villages from the WMAs.
| List from WMAs | List in GIS maps |
|---|---|
| Milonji | Milonji |
| Lusewa | Lusewa |
| Ligunga | Ligunga |
| Msisima | Msisima |
| Mnalawi | |
| Matepwende | Matepwende |
| Mnalalawima |
Download all shapefiles
All the shapefiles mapped above can be downloaded at this link this link.
Next Steps
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