https://www.lusakatimes.com/20...nce-soon-tourism-ps/


Hunting license selection process to commence soon-Tourism PS

October 1, 2022


The government says it will soon start selection process of the 2022 resident hunting for purposes in Game Management Areas ( GMAs) and open areas across the country.

Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Evans Muhanga says government is aware of the importance of resident hunting as it is a key source of acquiring legal game meat for many households’ needed food security especially in game areas.

Mr Muhanga adds that government , through his ministry, plans to come up with strategic plans that he says will have a unique selling point for all the National parks that can attract tourists.

He said this will help the Government to know what is where, and what needs to be done to improve the protected areas.

Mr Muhanga said all national parks in Zambia are unique as they offer different opportunities hence the need to understand these dynamics if they are to fully benefit the country.

He said this after a familiarization tour of the West Lunga National Park and the Game Management Areas (GMAs).

The Permanent Secretary during his tour expressed happiness that the West Lunga National Park was not under proper support from the newly created West Lunga Conservation Project under the support of Trident Foundation Limited, after years of neglect.

He was however, not happy with the level of encroachment in the GMAs and illicit activities like illegal timber logging exerting pressure on the animal habitat.

“It these illegal activities that are leading to recorded human animal conflicts in many parts of the Country, ”Mr Mubanga said.

Meanwhile, West Lunga Conservation Project Manager Dorian Tilbury said it is encouraging that the government is visiting projects which have never been visited in the last eight years since the project was started.

Ms. Tilbury said it shows the commitment by the New Dawn Government to know what is really happening on the ground and the challenges facing the players.

Thanks Kathy.

Currently, most prime areas are up for tender which has caused much consternation as the previous tender was canceled by the new Government. Hence many concessions are dormant.

Resident hunting does not provide a noticeable income to the Government but is an important leisure activity for many.

Lets hope the resident quotas are conservative.

https://www.lusakatimes.com/20...-season-opens-today/



Resident hunting season opens today
October 10, 2022


The Ministry of Tourism has announced that resident hunting will open today 10th of October 2022.

This came to light yesterday when Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Evans Muhanga graced the raffle draw for the 2022 hunting season at the government complex.

Mr Muhanga indicated during the raffle draw that the government advertised 30 hunting blocks for resident and bonafide hunting comprising of 12 prime hunting areas, 13 secondary, four understocked and one specialized area.

“The Ministry advertised 30 hunting blocks for resident and bonafide hunting comprising of 12 prime hunting areas, 13 secondary, 4 understocked and 1 specialized area,” he said.

Mr Muhanga further revealed that the department received a total of 2,519 applications out of which 2,372 applicants were shortlisted to proceed to the raffle stage.

He added that 147 applicants were disqualified for various reasons such as incomplete attachments, wrong firearm calibre, mismatch of the submitted details, non-compliance to the advert guideline.

“The Ministry received a total of 2,519 applications out of which 2,372 applicants were shortlisted to proceed to the raffle stage while 147 applicants were disqualified for various reasons such as incomplete attachments, wrong firearm calibre, mismatch of the submitted details, non-compliance to the advert guideline,” he revealed.

This was contained in a media statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism and availed to the media yesterday.

Meanwhile Mr Muhanga says hunting is an important tool in the sustainable management of wildlife resources as enshrined in the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015.

“Hunting is an important tool in sustainable management of wildlife resources as enshrined in the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015,” Mr Muhanga said.

He said the Ministry of Tourism through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) has developed guidelines to ensure that citizens, resident and bonafide applicants are given a fair chance of being considered for a hunting license.

The Permanent Secretary said the government will take precautionary measures to ensure that hunting licenses are awarded impartially to deserving individuals.

Mr Muhanga said the desire of government is to see to it that wild animals are harvested in a sustainable manner.

He further indicated that government through the Ministry of Tourism will continue to work closely with stakeholders in a bid to address hunting challenges.

Mr. Muhanga stated that in order to ensure that there is no abuse of hunting licenses, the DNPW will work with Safari Hunting Outfitters, Honorary Wildlife Police Officers (HWPOs) and Community Scouts in monitoring the 2022 hunting season.

He said the involving of Safari Hunting Outfitters, HWPOs and Community Scouts is aimed at enhancing the monitoring of resident hunting activities in various hunting blocks.

The Permanent Secretary expressed optimism that the move will help to address challenges of inadequate monitoring experienced in the past.

And Resident Hunters Association Chairperson, Captain David Mwila called on the members of the association to avoid violating the hunting guidelines as this as the potential to affect the future hunting prospects.