DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), on Thursday launched a 37.4-million-U.S.-dollar project aimed at combating climate change, conserving biodiversity, and reducing carbon emissions.

The initiative, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented through the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS), brings together contributions of 4.7 million dollars from the GEF, 29.3 million dollars from the TFS, 200,000 dollars from the UNDP, and 3.2 million dollars from private sector partners.

Speaking at the launch of the project in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Hassan Abbasi said the first phase will be implemented in Kilimanjaro's Chome Forest and Tanga's Amani, Magamba, and Nilo nature reserves.

He said the project demonstrates international confidence in Tanzania's climate and environmental policies.

Abbasi noted that the project's success in the pilot regions could lead to nationwide expansion, adding that healthy forests are vital to human survival and sustainable development.

Kemilembe Mutasa, director of environment at the Vice President's Office, said the project will also support the national clean cooking strategy, which aims to achieve 80 percent household adoption of clean energy by 2030.

Gertrude Lyatuu, program specialist at the UNDP, said the project will promote renewable energy, discourage deforestation, and encourage the use of electric vehicles in tourism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. ■