PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday called for free trade in wildlife
products to ensure a positive impact on national economies adding that an ivory
trade ban has resulted in the country having stockpiles worth US$600 million.
He said funds that can be realised from the stockpiles can
be used for sustainable conservation projects in the country for two decades.
The stocks have been piling up as the country, just like
other African nations, cannot trade in its wildlife products due to a ban
imposed by the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites).
Officially opening the inaugural African Union-United
Nations Wildlife Economy Summit attended by Presidents Mogkweetsi Masisi
(Botswana), Edgar Lungu (Zambia) and Hage Geingob (Namibia) who is also the
Sadc chairperson in Victoria Falls, President Mnangagwa said dictatorial
tendencies by Cites were negatively impacting on communities that live adjacent
to national parks as they are not benefiting from wildlife in their areas.
“The conference is being held at a time when tourism in
Zimbabwe is on a rebound as we are making concerted efforts to rejuvenate our
tourism and hospitality industry so that it meaningfully contributes towards
the attainment of our national vision to become a middle income economy by
2030.
“To this end, achieving peaceful human-wildlife
co-existence and sound conservation principles are a top priority to my
government. Zimbabwe subscribes to the founding principles of the Convention of
International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) and we remain committed to
the adherence of its protocols and rules. We are gravely concerned by the
one-size-fits-all approach where banning of trade is creeping into Cites
decision making process,” said President Mnangagwa.
“We call upon the institution to resist the temptation of
being a policing institution and instead be a developmental one which promotes
the intricate balance between conservation and sustainable utilisation of all
wildlife resources.
“We continue to call for free trade in hunting products as
these have a positive impact on the national and local economies of our
countries. Currently Zimbabwe has about US$600 million worth of ivory and rhino
horns stocks most of which is from natural attrition of those animals.
“If we are allowed to dispose of the same under agreed parameters the revenue derived would suffice
to finance our operational conservation efforts for the next 20 years.”
President Mnangagwa said the Second Republic is promoting
an integrated concept of conservancies which involve strong private sector and
community participation.
He said the country encourages a world that embraces the
principle of shared responsibility where natural resources are utilised in
accordance with the principle of sustainability, and where accruing benefits of
natural resources would be equally shared among communities to add value and
improve livelihoods.
President Mnangagwa said the region should be guided by
sustainable conservation going into COP18 to be held in Geneva, Switzerland in
August.
Africa, with the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation
Area (Kaza-TFCA) setting the pace, is seeking a common position on wildlife
management.
Zimbabwe has around 84 000 elephants, a number the
Government says is too big for the comfort of the natural environment and
communities, especially where no community participation is embraced.
President Mnangagwa said there is a need to leverage
wildlife resources to grow economies, eradicate poverty, achieve broad based
empowerment and create decent jobs for citizens.
The conference which started on Sunday and ends today, is
being held under the theme: “Communities for Conservation, Harnessing
Conservation Tourism and Supporting Governments.”
President Mnangagwa said this resonates with renewed
efforts to ensure that citizens benefit from sustainable management of natural
resources and wildlife.
He said thriving wildlife resources have a tremendous
potential to be instrumental in sustainable socio-economic development through
associated wildlife oriented businesses such as eco-tourism, hunting and
photographic safaris.
Among other efforts, Government is revitalising the
Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (Campfire) and
developing conservancies for sustainable conservation.
However, the country, just like other countries, needs
funding for wildlife programmes and protection of communities living adjacent
to game parks, added the President.
“We need investors. As a Government, we will continue to
ensure a conducive operating environment for wildlife management and
conservation,” added President Mnangagwa. He said Government is committed to
dealing with poaching through implementation of Sadc Protocol on Wildlife
Conservation Law Enforcement and other policies. Chronicle
0 comments:
Post a Comment