Four DCs in joint efforts to keep poaching in check

2008-08-20 10:58:37
By Cynthia Mwilolezi, PST, Arusha


Four district commissioners from two neighbouring regions of Manyara and Tanga met recently to map out joint strategies to crack down on poaching in their areas.

Addressing his colleagues from Kiteto, Kilindi and Handeni districts, Simanjiro district commissioner Khalidi Mandia said the meeting was held at an opportune time before poaching got out of hand.

``Of late we have experienced a wave of poaching perpetrated by intruders who threaten to wipe out rare animals.

We have got to stop this, otherwise our children will have to visit other countries to view animals which were driven to extinction in their own areas,`` Mandia said.

Commenting on the issuance of hunting permits in the country, Kiteto DC John Njewele observed that some officials in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism were to blame for haphazard authorisation of hunting in respective areas without devising a mechanism to monitor the type and number of animals hunters killed.

``There should be a system to ensure that permits are not issued randomly. Some hunters and poachers kill large numbers of animals such as giraffes, rhinos and lions. It is time village authorities were given the mandate to monitor even permitted hunters,`` Njewele suggested.

Explaining the seriousness of the problem in her area, Kilindi DC Sara Dumba said poaching was widespread in Tengefu la Saunyi forest that marks the border with Simanjiro District.

Apart from DCs, natural resources and tourism officials, district executive directors and district council chairmen also attended the meeting.

SOURCE: Guardian

Has anyone on this forum shot or knows of anyone who has shot a rhino or giraffe in Tanzania in the last 30 years? Us damn hunters ruining it for everyone else!