The government has urged the general public to join hands to fight against elephant poaching whose rate of loss is now alarming.
Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Amb. Khamis Kagasheki
Speaking during the National Elephant Day in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Amb. Khamis Kagasheki, said joint effort was vital for combating the poaching menace.
“So far the number of arrested poachers has been increasing thanks to tip-offs from good citizens,” noted the minister in a speech read on his behalf by Head of the Wildlife Department in the ministry, Prof Alexander Songorwa.
The National Elephant Day was organised by the Institute of Resource Assessment (IRA) of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in collaboration with the ministry. According to UDSM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Yunus Mgaya, the National Elephant Day was introduced by the department in order to raise public awareness by showing the threats facing the elephant population in Africa.
“Using research and knowledge UDSM, through IRA, has a role to protect wildlife in the country,” he said. Tanzania is home to the second largest population of African elephants, second only to Botswana.
Prof Mgaya pointed out that the National Elephant Day, which was marked for the first time in the country, would be an ideal platform for Tanzanians and other conservative stakeholders to share ideas and informed policies on how best to protect the remaining elephants.
Meanwhile, the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), Sparkling Elephant Project and David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, will next month inaugurate the first International March for Elephants in Arusha.
TATO Executive Officer, Sirili Akko, said the crucial event would highlight the importance of protecting Tanzania’s remaining elephants and the environment critical to their survival. Tanzania has the largest remaining population of elephants in East Africa, with 70,000, but now the population is under threats as statistics indicate that about 10,000 elephants are poached annually.
“It is critically important that young people learn good stewardship of the natural world they will inherit,” Mr Akko said in a statement. At present, he said, that responsibility includes lending the numbers and voices to protecting the fast dwindling elephant population in Tanzania and Africa in general.
“We will raise awareness among students and the broader community in Arusha through the International March for Elephants,” Mr Akko noted. The walk which will take place on October 4, will be highly visible on account of the life-sized elephant sculpture that will lead the way.
The huge participation will go a long way to raising the profile of the event. The most effective participants will be students of all ages from local government and private schools.
“To encourage the participation of schools, we will be holding a competition to reward those schools that display the most creative and compelling banners in support of anti-poaching efforts” read the TATO statement.
Creators of submitted banners will be eligible to win safaris to Tanzania’s national parks. All participating students will win a Tshirt, the eternal gratitude and the invaluable experience of advocating for a truly important cause.
By LUDOVICK KAZOKA and ROSE ATHUMANI, Tanzania Daily News
