Illegal settlers on Isangano National Park to face eviction

 Government has stepped up efforts to remove people who have illegally settled in Isangano National Game Park on the boundaries between Chilubi and Luwingu districts in the Northern Province.

The long awaited move is aimed at paving way for the re-establishment and restocking
of the depleted National Park with Wild animals by the Zambia Wild Life Authority as
part of enhancing tourism in the province.

Provincial Planner Mukuka Chibwe confirmed to ZANIS in Kasama that Government has
lined up a number of activities aimed at implementing the Provincial Development
Coordinating Committee (PDCC) resolution which called for the removal of all illegal
settlers from Isangano national Park.

Mr. Chibwe said some of the activities involved are demarcation of the district
boundaries, identification and resettlement of illegal settlers from the National
Park.

He said a stakeholders meeting will soon be held involving Government officers from
Chilubi and Luwingu, ZAWA and the affected communities led by their traditional
leaders.

Recently, the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee chaired by Permanent
Secretary Joel Ngo directed the two districts to meet and resolve the Isangano
issues before the next PDCC meeting in August.

Mr. Ngo observed that the Isangano issues had been pending for sometime despite a
number of resolutions to resolve the issue.

The PS expressed concern at the reluctance of concerned parties to implement the
resolutions saying this should come to an immediate end.

And Chilubi Patriotic Front Member of Parliament Obby Chisala told ZANIS recently in
an interview that Government should have first resolved the boundary dispute between
the two districts before rushing to evict the illegal settlers.

Mr. Chisala who was District Commissioner when the Isangano issue arose said the
major obstacle to resolving the matter was the boundary dispute.

He said the People of Chilubi had no problem to move the people if they are told
that Isangano National Game Park was in their district.