Maganzemzaree Bee Reserve (MMNBR) is under care of TFS established in line with operationalization of National Beekeeping Policy of 1998. It was declared to be a bee reserve through a Government Notice (G.N.) number 293 of 26 March, 2021 with a survey map Job No JB 2936 of 2019.
Location and legal status
The reserve is found in Chemba district in Dodoma region. Chemba district lies between 5° 14′ 34″ S and 35° 53′ 24″ E with general altitude ranging from 1200 to 1500 meters above sea level. Maganzemzaree National Bee Reserve (MMNBR) lies between 737631 and 732257 Easting and between 9421077 and 9415800 Northings coordinates. It is at a distance of about 144 km from Kondoa town southwest, about 104km from Chemba town westwards via Kwamtoro village (division) and about 108km from Kondoa town via swagaswaga game reserve. Maganzemzaree Bee Reserve is bordered by Jogolo village forest reserve to the South, North and East and Sambalu village Westwards. The forest covers an area of 1,275 Ha (12.75 Km2) with a boundary of 16.368 Km long.
Vegetation
The reserve is characterized mainly by three types of vegetation that ranges from woodland, shrubs and herbs that possess an immeasurable significance in conservation of biodiversity. The vegetation presents a complex interspersion of cover type and a huge variety of plant species. Throughout most of Maganze Mzaree bee reserve, undercover vegetation form irregular trees, shrubs and herbs. More over this reserve is dominated by Brachystegia spp, Andensonia digitata and different species of herbs which have great influence on bees and beekeeping thus makes the area ideal place for Bee Reserve establishment.
Dominant tree species for Songolo include; Acacia tortillis, Acacia nilotica, Dalbegia glabra, Andansonia digitata (baobab trees), Brachystegia spp (miombo).Shrubs cover is dominated by Acacia Senegal (Gum Arabic tree), Acacia depanalobium, Dombeya burgessiae (pink wild pear), Grewia bicolor.
The herb cover is dominated by Bidens tripartita L., Commelina africana, Bepharis linarifolia pers, Coreopsis verticillata (threadleaf coreopsis), Bidens tripartite, Blechum pyramidatam (browm blechum), Leonotis nepetifolia (klipp dagga), Emilia coccinea spp. Nigella arvensis L (Black bread weed), Sison amomum L (Stone parsley) Angela spp.
Vegetation mentioned above provide shelter to small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.
Most of these plant species produce flowers which secrete nectar and others produce pollen or both nectar and pollen. This makes such area potential for beekeeping as one of key economic activities.
Activities
Communities surrounding this reserve predominantly belongs to Sandawe and Nyaturu ethnics engaging in livestock keeping, agriculture, poultry and beekeeping to earn their livelihood. Originally the Sandawe were hunters and gatherers of forest products to sustain their lives.
Maganze Mzaree Bee reserve has good potential for learning and carrying out research to various scholars and students as well as demonstration on beekeeping matters to local communities and any interested individuals.
