By Scoop Reporter
TOURISM and Arts Minister Ronald Chitotela has lifted the ban on capture and translocation of wildlife from national parks to community and private game ranches.
Mr. Chitotela has also assured the nation that, within the course of next month, the wildlife management licensing committee will be appointed and will be operational.
Speaking during a press briefing at the ministry Headquarters today, Mr. Chitotela said after further investigation, it became apparent that there was total lack of engagement and consultation with stakeholders thus, creating mistrust and suspicion by the local communities surrounding protected areas as well as the general citizenry.
He says the ban affected the delivery of government programs in wildlife conservation and tourism promotion and had to be reviewed.
He says after the review the ministry has put in place modalities and processes to include stakeholder consultations.
“This is in an effort to ensure that decisions regarding the capture and translocation of wildlife from public protected areas to private wildlife estates are done in a transparent manner. The intention of the Government in this regard is spelled out in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) and indeed echoed severally by the President Edgar Lungu.
“The ministry has lifted the ban with regards to sales, capture, and translocation of wildlife from public protected areas to private and community game ranches with a consideration that individuals and companies intending to participate in the capture and translocation of wildlife shall apply for recognition by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife,” Mr. Chitotela said.
He says the veterinary officers under the department of national parks and wildlife should supervise all captures and translocations in protected areas
He says department of national parks and wildlife shall duly inform local communities surrounding protected areas as well as all stakeholder in the respective areas on the anticipated capture and translocation
He says an officer should accompany wildlife on transit from protected areas from the department of national parks and wildlife.
He says all captures should be conducted within the stipulated capture season, which runs from March 1 to September 30 of every calendar year.
The ban was effected on 2nd of October, 2019.
