Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Govt plans to employ 459 new wildlife rangers, conservators



By Lusekelo Philemon
4th December 2013

Lazaro Nyalandu, Deputy minister for Natural Resources and Tourism
The government plans to employ 459 rangers and conservators across the country’s game reserves in the 2013/2014 fiscal year.

The move is meant to improve security in the protected area as well as strengthening the campaign against poaching.

Deputy minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu revealed this in Parliament, when responding to a question by Nkasi South MP, John Mpata (CCM), who had wanted to know what plans the government has to increase the number of wildlife rangers and conservators in the Lwafi Game Reserve located in Katavi Region.

The deputy minister admitted that the government was fully aware of the shortage of staff in the country’s game reserves and in particular Lwafi game reserve.

“But, for this financial year, my ministry has been given permission to employ 459, including 27 wildlife rangers and 432 conservators, who are to be posted in all game reserves, including Lwafi Game Reserve,” the minister said.

Nyalandu however stated that Nkasi District Council handed over the Lwafi Game Reserve to the ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism in 2011 in an effort to strengthen wildlife security.

“This game reserve is the main source of Lwafi, Ntemba and Kalambo rivers which pour water into Lake Tanganyika. The reserve is also home to endangered species of primates, hence sustainable measures are needed to protect its ecology,” he said.

He called on local communities living near game reserves across the country to remain vigilant and play their active role in conservation.  
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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