From Daily News TZ

Maghembe: No illegal foreign hunters
JOHN KULEKANA AND SOSTHENES MWITA
Daily News; Friday,June 15, 2007 @00:04

THE Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Prof. Jumanne Maghembe, has ruled out the possibility of unscrupulous game hunters shunting government trophies out of the country in small planes without the knowledge of wildlife officials and other operatives in the sector.

The minister was answering a supplementary question from Mr Felix Kijiko (Muhambwe-CCM) in the National Assembly.

Mr Kijiko had alleged that some foreign hunters stole government trophies from game reserves in Kigoma Region, smuggling them out of the country in small planes.

Prof Maghembe allayed fears in this connection saying all hunters were escorted to hunting blocks by wildlife conservation officials who make sure that only the wildlife indicated in the hunters’ clearance licences are killed and that reports are duly filed and sent to the ministry.

In his original question, Mr Kijiko had sought to know why districts in Kigoma Region got less and less proceeds obtained from wildlife hunting. He said the money was necessary for development projects in villages that are in the vicinity of game reserves.

Prof Maghembe said the government disburses 25 per cent of receipts obtained from hunting to districts in which the blocks are located. He said all funds collected from wildlife hunting fees are remitted to the Treasury as a matter of procedure. The Treasury issues shares to the districts later.

Giving figures, the minister said in 2000/07 Kibondo District got 3,036,152/-; Kasulu got 1,642,221/- and Kigoma got 2,243,898/-. In 2005/06 Kibondo was given 7,219,680/-;
Kasulu received 3,365,620/- and Kigoma got 9,802,500/-.

In 2004/05 all three district were not given the money. In 2003/04 Kibondo got 10, 993,747/-; Kasulu received 1,558,807/- and Kigoma was given 4,577,580/-. In 2002/03 Kibondo got 25,266,924/-; Kasulu got 3,314,635/- and Kigoma got 4,028,114/-.

Responding to a supplementary from Mr Michael Lekule Laizer (Longido-CCM), the minister said the share dished out to the districts cannot be increased from 25 to 40 per cent because the number of tourists has been dropping every year.

Seloushunter

quote:

Originally posted by mboga biga bwana:
Mr Kijiko had alleged that some foreign hunters stole government trophies from game reserves in Kigoma Region, smuggling them out of the country in small planes.

...

Responding to a supplementary from Mr Michael Lekule Laizer (Longido-CCM), the minister said the share dished out to the districts cannot be increased from 25 to 40 per cent because the number of tourists has been dropping every year.

I believe there were allegations made against the UAE Royals whom own the Longido concessions of doing this in the last year or two. And even smuggling out live game animals.

Nitrox - you are confusing LOLIONDO (where the Arabs hunt) with LONGIDO. Different districts.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwanamich:
Nitrox - you are confusing LOLIONDO (where the Arabs hunt) with LONGIDO. Different districts.

Thanks for the correction. I do mix them up all the time and should have checked.

Interesting info. Thanks for posting it.

Of course, it all comes down to the last quote..."Responding to a supplementary from Mr Michael Lekule Laizer (Longido-CCM), the minister said the share dished out to the districts cannot be increased from 25 to 40 per cent because the number of tourists has been dropping every year."