BY THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER
Tanzania’s conservation fraternity is mourning the death of veteran environmental conservationist John Gospel Yonazi Salehe who was laid to rest on June 23, 2026 at his home in Njiro, Arusha city.
Veteran conservationist died on June 19, 2026 at Mount Meru Hospital in Arusha following a short illness. He was 71.
Thousands of mourners gathered at his Njiro home to pay their final respects to a man widely regarded as one of Tanzania’s respected voices in nature conservation.
Mr Salehe leaves behind a distinguished record of service spanning more than four decades in forestry, wildlife conservation, community development and environmental management.
He served for more than 17 years in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. He later worked on regional projects funded by FAO and UNDP-GEF, before serving for ten years with WWF’s Eastern Africa Regional Programme, based in Nairobi.
He also served as Country Director of the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) in Tanzania and later as Executive Director of Environment Associates.
Mr Salehe was among the prominent leaders in environmental conservation serving on various boards and helping to establish institutions and networks aimed at promoting sustainable development and the sound management of natural resources.
Tributes from conservation organisations described him as a visionary leader, mentor and respected voice whose work helped shape conservation efforts in Tanzania and across East Africa.
Nature Tanzania, where Mr Salehe served as founder and chairman of the board of directors, said his life’s work had made a lasting contribution to biodiversity conservation in Tanzania.
The organisation described him as a compassionate leader and beloved mentor who helped build Nature Tanzania from a vision into a national bird and environmental conservation organisation.
“John was the foundation upon which Nature Tanzania was built,” the organisation said in its tribute, adding that his wisdom, patience, humility and encouragement had inspired a new generation of Tanzanian conservationists.
The Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG) also mourned Mr Salehe, who served as its Chairperson. The organisation said he had been a committed member since 1994 and had served as Chairperson since 2012.
The African Conservation Centre for Sustainable Development, ARCOS Network, also paid tribute to Mr Salehe, who served on its board of directors from 2017 to 2025, including the last four years as board chair.
ARCOS described him as a guiding light for conservation in the region, noting that his leadership helped strengthen partnerships, promote biodiversity conservation and advance sustainable development and community resilience.
Conservation colleagues said Mr Salehe would be remembered not only for his professional contribution but also for his warmth, humour and ability to bring people together.
