Tanzania's three state-run conservation authorities are planning to create wildlife sanctuaries on Lake Nyasa's two major islands to make them tourist destinations, an official said.

Afrikanus Challe, a wildlife official for Ruvuma region, said plans to introduce sanctuaries for wild animals on the two islands of the lake shared by Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique were at an advanced stage.

Challe told a meeting of the Ruvuma regional consultative committee that the animal sanctuaries will be created jointly by the Tanzania National Parks, the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority and the Tanzania Forest Services Agency.

The official said the animal sanctuaries will be established on Lundo and Mbambabay islands with a view to boosting tourism.

He said Mbambabay Island covering about 597 hectares and Lundo Island covering about 20 hectares were attractive for keeping wild animals and birds. Challe said plans were also underway to introduce aqua tourism, snorkeling, yachting and scuba-diving in Lake Nyasa.