Reduced poaching attributed to Bangweulu Wetlands project

By VIOLET MENGO

11/06/2011

MPIKA District Commissioner Malama Sokoni has attributed the reduction in poaching in the district to the new Bangweulu Wetlands Project which has been implemented to manage game in the district.

Mr Malama said in Mpika that the district has recorded a reduction in poaching due to the enhanced law enforcement put in place by the Bangweulu Wetlands project.

The project that has been in existence for the past two and a half years is targeted at improving the lives of communities through better management of natural resources. It is a partnership of government, private sector and the community.

The district commissioner said poaching levels were high in the past, which called for law enforcement to be a priority through the good organisation of the scouts and other partners involved in the project.

Mr Malama said he has seen a lot of changes taking place since the project started and added that the project's continuity mostly depends on the communities' response.

"All our communities need for now is patience if they are truly interested in yielding real benefits from the project. We have already seen its contribution to the health, education and road network in the few years of its existence," the district commissioner said.

And Bangweulu Wetlands director Craig Reid said the efficiency of the scouts has improved through intensive training and refresher courses like parade drills, physical training musketry, navigation and tactical patrols.

It also focused on emergency first aid, law, communication system, report writing and data collection. Mr Reid said in 2010, the team performed well with over 8,600 patrol man days conducted.

"Seventy-five suspects were arrested and over five tonnes of bush meat, 16 firearms and other equipments confiscated. Additional firearms supplied to the project through Zambia Wildlife Authority, there is still a shortfall, which remains a constraint on patrolling activities, Mr Reid said. He said despite the efforts and successes of the law enforcement team, poaching remains at worrying levels.

ENDS