THE BOTANIC GARDEN

Background

Botanic gardens constitute documented collections of living plants for various purposes such as research, education, conservation, recreation, display, etc.

History and Scope

The idea of establishing a Botanic Garden at SUA was initiated by the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, then Chancellor of the University (SUA) in 1986. Consequently, a Botanic Garden Committee was formed on the same year, to explore the possibilities of creating a Botanic Garden at the University which was intended to serve the following functions:-

1. Education- is a space for learning about and appreciate plants from within and outside Tanzania
   • To the public on the diversity of plant species
   • To the students and academic members of staff within the university
2. Research;
   • On plant diversity, morphology, anatomy, breeding, etc.
3. Germplasm collection- for wild and cultivated plant species, including introduction of new plant crops;
4. Conservation/preservation of endangered plant species of Tanzania;
5. Maintenance of natural vegetation reserve – to demonstrate natural vegetation types of Tanzania and/or Africa;
6. Collection and maintenance of various medicinal values;
7. Ecological collection – to show different plant adaptations to different ecological conditions;
8. Recreation – A source of enjoyment for the University and various non-University Communities

Consequently, an area of 48 hectares from the University Farm was set aside for that purpose and a botanic garden design was prepared since 1991.

3.2       Number of tree/shrub species planted

So far a total of 168 shrub/tree species have already been planted in various blocks of the Garden as summarized in Table 1. In addition, various Avenues and paths have been marked and cleared and some planted ted with various plants.

Table 1. Number of tree/shrub species planted for each block in the garden.