Front Page 1 Arusha Times August 18, 2007

Villages granted total authority over wildlife Investors uneasy about business prospects
By Valentine Marc Nkwame

Eight villages in West Kilimanjaro area have effective August 1 this year been bestowed with total authority over the abundant wildlife species found in their vicinity.

This move puts the local residents in a position to enter into any contract with foreign investors and local firms that may be interested in carrying out, either game hunting or animal viewing tourism in the area.

The residents are also in a position to terminate game hunting and tourism business operations currently being undertaken by some firms that have been setting camp in the locality for many years now.

The area measuring about 550square kilometers, stretching from as far as Longido District of Arusha, to the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the Siha District of Kilimanjaro, comprises of 8 villages.

It becomes the 6 th Wildlife Management Area in the country, a status given under the Wildlife Conservation Act No. 12 of 1974 and the Wildlife Management Areas Regulatory Act 16 (2) of 2002.

Longido District Commissioner, James Ole Millia, officially presented the Chairman for the now to be known as 'Enduimet Community Area Authority,' Mr. Parsanga Ole Ndapa Mollel, with the official Certificate bearing Serial Number 005, from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, granting the newly formed, Community Based Organization, full control over the entire stretch of land, plus the wildlife species within.

The Enduimet WMA's board of the trustees chairman, Michael Lekule Laizer, who is also the Member of Parliament for Longido Constituency, said it wasn't easy for an area to qualify as a Wildlife Management Area, pointing out that it was three years ago when the Government resolved to grant local communities with total authority of all the wildlife found outside National Parks.

"Since then we started with 16 trial WMAs and so far only six of these, have officially been endowed with full control over both the land and wildlife, " he said.

MP Lekule Laizer lauded efforts by the African Wildlife Foundation in assisting the local community with funds, training and extension services, that have enabled the Enduimet Area Authority to qualify for the WMA status.

Dr. Steven Kiruswa, the Maasai Steppe heartland director, Paul Ntiati, the Kilimanjaro Heartland Director, Gerson S. Mollel the Conservation and Projects officer and Ben Mwongela, the enterprise officer, were among the representatives from AWF who witnessed the official presentation that took place at Olmolog village.

The Enduimet Wildlife Management Area Authority comprises of eight villages - Kamwanga, Irkasua, Lerangw'a, Kitenden, Olmolok, Elerai, Tinga-tinga and Ngereiyan.

According to Lucas Ologutu, the local Game Scout attendant, the West Kilimanjaro wilderness has almost all the wildlife species that had stepped out of the Noah's Ark in the wake of the Biblical floods.

No wonder the area has so far attracted three large firms that are currently conducting game viewing safaris, tented lodges and hunting, these include Tanzania Wilderness Safaris, Hoopoe Adventure tours and Old Nyika Safaris.

The West Kilimanjaro wilderness, being located on the northern borderline, has also been attracting a number of poachers from the neighboring country of Kenya.

Under previous arrangements, the three companies used to pay loyalty to some of the villages, but under the newly established WMA the firms have been instructed to enter into official contracts with the Enduimet Community Area Authority through which new fees, regulations and operating strategies will be introduced.

Some of the firms' representatives who attended the handing over ceremony expressed their concern over their companies' future, especially regarding new fees to be charged, area control, number of visitors and other fixed regulations they will be compelled to adhere under WMA laws.

"Under new arrangements we are now compelled to pay 'head tax' for every visitor that our companies bring to the WMA. This may prove to be extremely expensive whenever we get to host large groups of tourists." lamented the investors' statement.

As for the poachers, the villages have hired the services of 32 game scouts to ensure that nobody will temper with the wildlife in the area again. This special 'force' will also see to it that the frequent outbreaks of bush fires are also controlled.

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The residents are also in a position to terminate game hunting and tourism business operations currently being undertaken by some firms that have been setting camp in the locality for many years now.

Just what we need, more moronic decisions by the Moron's from Hell. What a bunch of Lemmings. How long until they panic and jump off the bluff? I'll buy tickets to watch.

Spooky, very spooky (no puns intended). Does something like this spell the end for hunting as we know it?

do the math- this " wildlife concession" is only about 22k by 25 k in size( less than 15 by 18 miles) and contains 8 villages. hardly a large section of bush africa and anything but untracked wilderness. there are plenty of game farms in Namibia larger than this. if these local folks think that hunters will pay Tz. prices for this kind of hunt, they are in for a BIG SURPRISE!!!!! and just what sort of fire suppression do they expect to get from 32 game scouts with no equipment?