Hotfire Hunting Safaris
AH veteran
Well it would seem that Zambia has been overrun by the photographic safaris movement. Tenders for the 19 govt concessions are not going out and it seems likely that a ban of 5 years (2013 to 2018) will be in effect. I will be interested to see how this transpires.
Masebo hailed on safari hunting ban
By STEVEN MVULA
THE cancellation of safari hunting concessions from the period 2013 to 2018 by Government has been welcomed by a cross-section of Zambians.
A renowned Lusaka businessman Ishmail Kankhara told the Daily Mail yesterday that the minister's move is right.
"I'm not a hunter but I'm passionate about our country's wildlife and that is why I felt I should speak out. I'm really over the moon [happy] over this ban," Mr Kankhara said with a beam.
Mr Kankhara, who has a fleet of buses in Lusaka, said Government must in fact completely ban hunting and instead encourage photographic safari.
"Ms Masebo needs the support of all Zambians that wish to preserve these animals for future generations. Our animals are depleted," he said.
On Sunday, the Minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo announced the cancellation and nullification of the whole tender for the granting of the advertised 19 licences, citing corruption.
Ms Masebo also dropped Zambia Wild Life Authority (ZAWA) director-general Edwin Matokwani and four other top officials on allegations of corruption.
Mr Kankhara said when he was growing up in Eastern Province, seeing a rhino was not an issue but now the animal is almost extinct.
He said Ms Masebo has made a bold step that will secure Zambia's wildlife.
Mr Kankhara said if Government bans hunting completely, donors will have confidence and pump in money in the wildlife sector.
He said most safari hunters do it for sport at the expense of Zambia's wildlife.
Mr Kankhara argued that photographic hunting will actually bring in more revenue for the country as opposed to safari hunting.
"When we preserve our animals, we will be able to create more jobs and our grandchildren will live to see real animals," Mr Kankhara said.
And another conservationist, James Chungu, commended Ms Masebo for the move she took on ZAWA and hunting concessions.
Mr Chungu, who runs Lusenga Trust, said he is encouraged by the action taken by the minister and urged her to keep a close eye on ZAWA and ensure that all existing national parks have the necessary funding to safeguard wildlife.
Mr Chungu said the top ZAWA officials who were dropped were given enough guidance on how to proceed in their selection of prospective safari hunters but allegedly did not take Government seriously.
"These ZAWA officials who were fired have themselves to blame for failing to follow laid down procedures," Mr Chungu said.
Mr Chungu said the minister's decision will help re-focus the wildlife sector in line with the PF manifesto which emphasises that local people benefit.
On Sunday, Ms Masebo said: "When one critically analyses the suggested results of tender evaluation process, you will note that it has significant potential to promote money-laundering and as a responsible Government, we shall guard against any activities that could sabotage our economy".
Masebo hailed on safari hunting ban
:banghead:
Masebo hailed on safari hunting ban
By STEVEN MVULA
THE cancellation of safari hunting concessions from the period 2013 to 2018 by Government has been welcomed by a cross-section of Zambians.
A renowned Lusaka businessman Ishmail Kankhara told the Daily Mail yesterday that the minister's move is right.
"I'm not a hunter but I'm passionate about our country's wildlife and that is why I felt I should speak out. I'm really over the moon [happy] over this ban," Mr Kankhara said with a beam.
Mr Kankhara, who has a fleet of buses in Lusaka, said Government must in fact completely ban hunting and instead encourage photographic safari.
"Ms Masebo needs the support of all Zambians that wish to preserve these animals for future generations. Our animals are depleted," he said.
On Sunday, the Minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo announced the cancellation and nullification of the whole tender for the granting of the advertised 19 licences, citing corruption.
Ms Masebo also dropped Zambia Wild Life Authority (ZAWA) director-general Edwin Matokwani and four other top officials on allegations of corruption.
Mr Kankhara said when he was growing up in Eastern Province, seeing a rhino was not an issue but now the animal is almost extinct.
He said Ms Masebo has made a bold step that will secure Zambia's wildlife.
Mr Kankhara said if Government bans hunting completely, donors will have confidence and pump in money in the wildlife sector.
He said most safari hunters do it for sport at the expense of Zambia's wildlife.
Mr Kankhara argued that photographic hunting will actually bring in more revenue for the country as opposed to safari hunting.
"When we preserve our animals, we will be able to create more jobs and our grandchildren will live to see real animals," Mr Kankhara said.
And another conservationist, James Chungu, commended Ms Masebo for the move she took on ZAWA and hunting concessions.
Mr Chungu, who runs Lusenga Trust, said he is encouraged by the action taken by the minister and urged her to keep a close eye on ZAWA and ensure that all existing national parks have the necessary funding to safeguard wildlife.
Mr Chungu said the top ZAWA officials who were dropped were given enough guidance on how to proceed in their selection of prospective safari hunters but allegedly did not take Government seriously.
"These ZAWA officials who were fired have themselves to blame for failing to follow laid down procedures," Mr Chungu said.
Mr Chungu said the minister's decision will help re-focus the wildlife sector in line with the PF manifesto which emphasises that local people benefit.
On Sunday, Ms Masebo said: "When one critically analyses the suggested results of tender evaluation process, you will note that it has significant potential to promote money-laundering and as a responsible Government, we shall guard against any activities that could sabotage our economy".
Masebo hailed on safari hunting ban
:banghead: