Here's an article from teh Ngamiland Times. Doesn't look good boys.

sorry if the phtot's scale if off.



Peter Durkin
African Excursions

Typical fucking "African Management"

Give them an income stream and they will bugger it up.

Hopeless.

Just thought it would be easier to read this way.


By Basadi Morokotso Communities in Wildlife Management Areas say they are not happy with the many directives they receive from the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism regarding eco-tourism activities and possible revenue losses if hunting is banned. They are particularly concerned about the future of hunting which they say if it is closed down by the government will have a serious detrimental effect on conservation in general. Similar sentiments have been expressed by professional hunters and safari operators over the past few months. At a workshop organised by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) in Maun this week, a proposal was discussed about the removal of hunting from wildlife management areas next to protected areas and that community-managed areas would not be affected. Participants made it clear that further consultation was needed as there appeared to be a lack of transparency over the issues. The government should engage directly through kgotlas as communities felt the sudden change would result in loss of earnings, skills and employment. They pointed an accusing finger at those in high authority for not involving them in decision making, but rather choosing to consult them when they had already made conclusions that cannot be reversed. This was after they were told by DWNP director Trevor Mmopelwa of proposed initiatives to stop consumptive use of wildlife resources in concession areas which are designated as commercial multipurpose areas, primarily those around protected areas and the promotion of photographic activities in all concession areas. He said the DWNP was informed of the decision prior to the tourism Pitso forum earlier this year where the issue was to be debated, and as a result, he said they started distributing letters to other stakeholders to notify them about the ideas that emerged. The workshop heard that communities felt they were being undermined, even though most of them make a living out of hunting. All this comes to us now as a directive rather than a proposal. I personally feel democracy in this country is slowly dying away because it is now evident that we are denied our right to freedom of expression. It is useless to sit for talks now because we can see that the ministry has already made conclusions that we cannot turn around, said Claudia Nchunga, of the Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust. Sankuyo chief Timex Moalosi said he was worried as not long ago they received a directive from the same ministry that the 4% of resource royalties that used to taken by councils and 65% from trusts proceeds be transferred to a trust fund. He said trust communities are now confused because they do not know exactly what is happening around them and what to expect in the future. Participants also felt there is need for a comprehensive study on the two options, hunting versus photographic, failure of which will mean they will not embrace the change. They said proper channels need to be followed with concrete feedback.