ZAWA enhances conservation programme of wildlife
By LINDA NYONDO

Zambia Daily Mail

ZAMBIA Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) says it will continue enhancing bio-diversity conservation measures of wildlife resources in national parks and game management areas to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

ZAWA Director-General Lewis Saiwana said the authority will ensure that necessary capacity and competences are enhanced in local communities which are the co-partners in the management of wildlife.

‘It is disheartening to note that despite conservation efforts and support from Government and cooperating partners, our wildlife heritage has continued to come under renewed risk of extermination through various threats such as poaching, encroachment and the reduction in size and quality of wildlife,” Dr Saiwana said.

He was speaking on Saturday in Kafue National Park during the graduation ceremony of Village scouts.

Dr Saiwana said wildlife resources were not only important as a backbone for development of nature-based tourism in Zambia but also critical for financing community development projects and employment creation.

“You may wish to know that between 2001 and 2008, ZAWA has provided more than K20 billion to local communities for various rural development projects as an incentive for co-managing of wildlife,” he said.

Dr Saiwana urged game scouts to work diligently and remain focused in upholding professional values and apply the skills acquired during their training.

He said Safari hunting is an industry that is dependent on the availability of optimum population levels of wildlife, particularly good trophy animals.

Dr Saiwana was confident that the officers will add value and strengthen operations of ZAWA in its strategic areas of staff deployment.

He said ZAWA will continue striving to recruit more officers because they are essential for the effective patrol and coverage of Zambia’s wildlife estates.

Earlier, Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources permanent secretary Teddy Kasonso said ZAWA should be transparent and accountable.

He said the misuse of funds should not be tolerated.
“Receiving a small grant is one thing and not being transparent is another thing,’ Mr Kasonso said.

He urged ZAWA to devise innovative ways of ensuring that income generation is enhanced to sustain its operations.

He commended the World Bank and Royal Norwegian Embassy for the support given towards the development of Kafue National Park.