Chief Sinazongwe has charged that government gazetted Nchete and Sikula islands in Sinazongwe district on Lake Kariba into wildlife sanctuaries with out his consent.
The chief said at the workshop on finalisaation of the general management for Nchete and Sikula Wildlife sanctuaries in Maamba that he was happy that the Zambia wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has remembered to improve the status of the two islands.
Chief Sinazongwe disclosed that poaching has been taking place at the two islands without arresting the cuprites because the Local ZAWA officers have no land transport and water transport to carry out patrols.
He said government had neglected the development of the two islands and wondered why it has taken long to protect and to take care of the wildlife.
‘No one is serious to check on people putting snares to kill animals on the islands. It has taken time 10 years since officers from ZAWA visited the islands so that they can be developed. Government just gazetted the island and left it.” Chief Sinazongwe said.
The chief urged ZAWA to involve the community in the management of wildlife on the islands.
He said the islands were still under his chiefdom because they were only created when Lake Kariba was built in 1959.
He said a lot of animals have been wiped away from the valley because ZAWA has not been monitoring and controlling poaching from Gwembe to Sinazongwe district.
The chief urged ZAWA to ensure that some other areas in the valley were identified where wild animals could be kept for game viewing and to ensure that the up coming generation know the animal species that the district has.
He disclosed that animals at Chibumba islands on Lake Kariba in Senior Chief Mweemba area have been wiped away because of ZAWA’s failure to control poaching.
The chief noted that wildlife officers in Sinazongwe should have a boat for patrols on the lake and land transport to control poaching to protect animals for future generation.
“Our ZAWA officers are walking they have no transport for use on land and on water. They need an effective boat and land transport because the area is too big. They walk to petrol game management areas. But there is nothing being done I thought ZAWA had money,” the chief said.
Sinazongwe District Commissioner (DC) Oliver Pelete said the Nchete and Sikula island management plan should address the concerns of the communities for them to assist ZAWA in managing the two sanctuaries.
Mr Pelete said government has taken tourism as an important venture for economic development.
Nchete and sikula islands were formed when Lake kariba was built in 1959 and they are part of Chief Sinazongwe’s area.
The two islands have large number of wildlife and different species of birds.
where was he when the Govt was gazetting the islands?some chiefs are not worthy calling chief because they are so docile and illiterate.
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What da fk is dis chief talkin bout? Bucrap!!!!!
It seems this chief is not interested in the well being of wild life. Consult him for what surely God help us. ask him; had he been cosulted what should have been his response. Muleikalafye mwe Mfumu ngatamukwete ifyakulanda. Dont waste our time. Government is also obligated not only to look after you destructive human beings but wildlife as well. Govt can make express decision without your consent because all land is vested in the people through the President. I just hope this is the last time we are hearing such concerns from you Chief Sinaz. probably you have been sneaking to the Islands to slaughter God’s creation without govt concent. you should infact praise the Govt for thinking on your behalf. Twapapata fwe ba Bemba twalipwila kumo na ba kolwe. we dont want the same to happen…
we need to do away with the old ways….we dont need chieves! let us elect our chiefs so they can be part of govt. coz they already think they run staff…wat da fk!
According to the Land Act, a chief does not own any land but is a mere “custodian”. All land is vested or owned by the people through the President, with the Commissioner of Lands discharging that function.
#6 I have a problem with your comment. There is land within many villages that belongs to the govt and you can get a plot of land via the municipality and eventually get title deeds. Tribal land is different. You can get land from a chief without involving any govt agency, the govt has given them authority to stamp letters (usually hand-written) showing that you indeed have acquired land from them. This is true in most cases where you actually come from that village. Have things changed over night?