MPs launch anti-poaching group, call for more public participation

By Godfrey Obonyo

20th May 2014

Members of Parliament and academicians called on the government to increase community involvement in the fight against poaching noting that community participation is the key weapon needed to win the outrage that is tarnishing the nation’s image.

Speaker of the National Assembly Anne Makinda said a participatory campaign is vital if the government is to win the war against the escalating wildlife killing that has tainted the country’s reputation.

She raised the concern recently in Dodoma via a speech presented on her behalf by her Deputy Job Ndingai during the launch of new legislatures Association-Parliamentary Group on Sustainable Natural Resources Conservation and Utilization (TPGSNRCU).

The head of the country’s law making organ said: “Successful anti-poaching campaigns need joint forces that can’t be easily achieved short of concerted role play by the communities surrounding the Game reserves and National Parks.”

Speaker Makinda called on the government and other stakeholders to play a fundamental role in helping TPGSNRCU engage in advocacy, political sensitization and awareness creation among the public and communities surrounding the wildlife habitats.

She further noted that, for the country to achieve eco-balance, people should learn and develop the culture of loving wild creatures as a crucial component of human living systems.

In the same occasion, TPGSNRSC chairperson Riziki Lulida MP, Lindi special seats (CCM) said the parliamentary group will serve as a milestone stage for members of the National Assembly towards achieving sustainable wildlife utilization.

“This initiative will provide viable measures to compliment the government efforts in arresting widespread poaching in our Game Reserves and National Parks,” said Lulida.

The law maker said it is for the first time in the history of the country that legislatures have created such an advocacy group for sustainable natural resources and wildlife conservation and utilization.

He said the parliamentary group will also work to unveil corruption, poaching and embezzlement of public funds and went on to call on the MPs to exercise concerted efforts in curbing all socio-economic evils.

Secretary General of TPGSNRCU, Sylvester Mabumba- Dole MP (CCM) said the establishment of the organisation is based on the growing wildlife depletion caused by rampant poaching and forest degradation.

He said the high rate of poaching is threatening existence of some of the country’s wild animals, citing rhinos, elephants, buffalos, leopards and lions.
The MP said statistics indicate that in 1976 Selous-Mikumi Ecological System had 109,419 elephants but it was reduced to 22,208 in 1991 as a result of poaching and consequently to 13,084 to date.

While Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem had 11,712 elephants in 1990, the number rose up to 35, 461 in 2006 after the government imposed stern measures but has since then declined to 20,009 as a result of poaching.

He said, besides poaching, human activities such as settlement, agriculture and pastoralism in animal habitats are also disturbing eco-systems and greater advocacy, sensitization and awareness creation efforts are needed to address the volatile situation.

In his remarks, Deputy Chairperson of the MPs Advocating for natural recourses utilizations, Rashid Athuman Mfutakamba- Igalula Constituency- CCM, quoted Mwl. Nyerere’s Arusha Manifesto summit 1961.

“The survival of our wildlife is a matter of grave concern to all of us…the wild creatures and places they inhabit are not only important as source of wonder and inspiration but are an integral part of our natural resources and o