Burnt edges of Minziro Forest in Minziro Nature Forest Reserve in northwestern Tanzania, equatorial Africa.
This area is on the western fringe of Minziro forest, and is reached via a forest track the connects the western and eastern grassland areas, the latter reached from Minziro village. At the time these photos were taken, the western grassland area was frequented by many people with their cattle. Some of them, judging by the many cattle tracks along the forest corridor and the presence of herds on either side, were passing through the forest. Cattle herders are allowed to graze their animals from Minziro village to the reserve boundary, but they were clearly entering the forest and beyond, perhaps even crossing the Tanzania-Ugandan border. It is assumed that the cattle herders burn the grass, as local rangers hardly approach this area, due to impassable roads (very rough in dry season and impassable in wet season), limited fuel for their vehicles, the size of the area that requires management and other needs. The grass burning does not respect reserve boundaries and is affecting the forest edges as may be seen on the photos. Visitors can travel along this connecting track with permission of the Forest Administration. The administration, management and rangers are interested in promoting the Forest Reserve, but the absence of good trails or usable roads hamper their efforts.