Communities Encouraged To Protect Wildlife

The Department for National Parks and Wildlife is calling for communities in Kalumbila district to actively participate in the protection of local wildlife if numbers are to increase.

Speaking in an interview in Kalumbila on Wednesday, the Area Warden, Francis Samalumo, said that the department have embarked on a 10-day programme to help try and engage local communities in wildlife protection.

“It is high time the communities showed active participation in wildlife protection if we must see the wildlife numbers increase. We want to ensure communities are involved to best address the problem”.

Through the programme, Samalumo has developed wildlife protection committees.

“The committees have sub-committees which are referred to as village action groups and comprise of nine members appointed through an election.” 

The purpose behind the community action is to increase the numbers of wildlife within the area, as poaching activities have depleted numbers between the Matebo and Musele chiefdoms.

Samalumo also disclosed that Kalumbila Minerals Limited (KML) are supporting the department with the cause.

Speaking on the partnership, he said that KML were “helping us in the setting up of committees, they supported the training and funding of 17 game scouts, the provision of field kits, camping tents and weapons for operations”.

He finished through expressing his happiness at the suspected success of the initiative, noting that it will serve for both adventure purposes as well as a way in which to generate income in the local community.

Photo: Mutanda Farms Limited