Rediscovery of Millettia sacleuxii: Hope for Conservation in Eastern Tanzania - thediplomaticaffairs.com

Geneva, Switzerland

Environment World August 1, 2024

Rediscovery of Millettia sacleuxii: Hope for Conservation in Eastern Tanzania

Photo: Reuters

In a remarkable turn of events, conservationists in eastern Tanzania have rediscovered two specimens of Millettia sacleuxii, a rare tree species that was feared extinct. This significant find has reignited hope for the species’ survival and has spurred a major reforestation effort in the Nguru Mountains. In July 2023, botanist Andrea Bianchi was driving through the Nguru Mountains when something unusual caught his eye. Amidst a maize field, he noticed the broad pods of a tree that seemed out of place. Stopping for a closer look, Bianchi identified not one but two Millettia sacleuxii trees, which had last been documented through six specimens in forest reserves that are now nearly obliterated.

Millettia sacleuxii is so rare that it lacks a common English name, and the local Kihehe language refers to it generically as “muhafu,” a term used for several related forest Millettia species. Scientists had known the species only from three forest reserves in the Nguru and Usambara mountains. Unfortunately, two of these reserves were cleared decades ago and repurposed for exotic timber and sugar plantations. The remaining reserve, near Turiani, has shrunk to a mere 49 hectares (121 acres), surrounded by sprawling fields of rice and sugar.

The discovery of the two surviving Millettia “mother trees” has led to the collection of thousands of seeds. These seeds have been germinated, and seedlings are being nurtured with the goal of planting them as part of a reforestation project in the Nguru Mountains. This effort aims to restore the tree’s population and ensure its survival for future generations.

The reforestation project is not just about saving Millettia sacleuxii; it is part of a broader initiative to create a wildlife corridor in the region. The Nguru Mountains are rich in biodiversity, and establishing a corridor will help protect various species by connecting fragmented habitats. This holistic approach to conservation is critical in an area increasingly threatened by agricultural expansion.

The rediscovery of Millettia sacleuxii is a testament to the resilience of nature and the importance of conservation efforts. It underscores the need to protect and restore natural habitats before more species are lost to deforestation and habitat degradation. The work of Andrea Bianchi and other conservationists offers a glimmer of hope that even species thought extinct can be brought back from the brink with concerted, collaborative efforts.

As the seedlings grow and the reforestation project progresses, the Nguru Mountains may once again become a sanctuary not just for Millettia sacleuxii, but for the myriad forms of life that depend on this unique ecosystem. This rediscovery is a reminder that, in the race against extinction, every effort counts, and sometimes, nature rewards us with a second chance.

By Roxana Stanica

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