Former Mkushi District Council Chairman Charles Simusokwe has appealed to the Ministry of Tourism to seriously consider re-opening ZAWA (Zambia Wildlife Authority) offices in Mkushi District.
Mr. Simusokwe told ZANIS that there was need for the Tourism Ministry to consider rescinding the decision of closing ZAWA offices, explaining that animals have now started to encroach into several human habitat areas.
He said that in recent weeks, Elephants from Chembe in Luano District have been sighted in areas of Mkushi District such as Nkumbi, Nshinso, Mulungwe and Chalata.
He said that other animals that are believed to have come from Luano are Lions and Hyenas, saying that these have reportedly been seen areas such as Chalata and Ilume.
Mr. Simusokwe said that according to former ZAWA Officers, heavy rainfall in areas of Luano Valley is believed to be the major cause for the animal migrations to the plateau areas of Mkushi District.
He noted that the presence of animals in areas of Mkushi is said to be causing fear amongst various communities, adding that people were fearful of attacks from the wild animals or damage to their crop fields.
He pointed out that the situation urgently required control from Governmental instruments such as ZAWA Officers, saying that ZAWA activities were in the best interest of both Humans as well as animals.
Mr. Simusokwe stressed that the need to reopen ZAWA in Mkushi was cardinal as this would impact positively on helping to maintain the balance between wildlife and the expected expansion of Human settlement expansion.
He observed that the newly declared Luano District had great Tourism potential owing to its large population of wildlife, and that only the presence of ZAWA could ensure the balance between safeguarding animal population and protecting human life.
He further mentioned that the increased rate of Human settlement in proximity to Game Management Areas (GMAs) such as Mboroma GMA, had contributed to the animal migration into other areas.
Mr. Simusokwe charged that the situation of having no ZAWA offices in the 2 Districts could only give rise to increased poaching activities, explaining that such a situation was retrogressive to development of Tourism industry.
He also disclosed that plans were underway for the formation of Mkushi District Hunters Association, saying that he would be undertake the coordinating role of affiliating this organisation to both the Provincial as well as national Hunters Association.
Mr. simusokwe served as Mkushi Council Chairman from 2006 to 2011, where he was also Nkumbi Ward Councillor.
According to data obtained from former ZAWA Officers in Mkushi, ZAWA officers had last killed an Elephant in 2010 after it had caused the death of a woman in Mpula area.
ZANIS
Mr Simusokwe. you have said a lot of things .
This man has also formed an Association for Hunters in secrecy, now the wild animals will be finished by these selfish people like the former Council Chairman.The wild animals sported by villagers should be appreciated because this is natural game veiwing and just have to respect the animals, period!
Is that game meat in the pic?? where can i get some on the CB??
No, it is not game meat. It’s decomposed and dried dog meat.
Banning lion hunting is the best the government can do, i have been going to kafue national park for the past 28 years and have seen the dwindling of our wid animals. Last year i was at kafwala wildlife camp and only saw 2 wild dogs and Elephants no Lions , leopard or cheetahs . The last time i saw a pride of lions was in 1998 in Busanga plains( i bet most of you dont even know were they are found) at nite . its sad that our children will only see the lions pa TV when they are watching lion king or eating Simba chips ( crisps).I fully support Miss Masebo and the government on this one.Madam please investigate wilderness trails on why they dont allow us Zambian’s from booking Lufupa lodge( they want us to pay through RSA)
Animals of pray, my dear, are always difficult to see. Long long ago, there was a tourist operator (of Indian ancestry – he used to own California cookies in present day Intermarket Bank location) who used to lure lions close to viewing spots only he knew about because he would injure an animal, say a wildebeest, and drop it there. Then later he would direct his game-viewing crew there only to find them feasting. What a sight, huh? As you can guess, neither him nor his company exist today. We snuffed him out!
But on the point that the animal population in KNP is dwindling is absolutely true.
Regarding the ZAWA saga, if Silvia had the evidence on the table, as she claims, why didn’t she bring in ACC? Is she competent to ascertain the credibility of the evidence?
Kodi imwe ba LTee what’s this recent fascination you have with Moderating bloggings. In any case Most of the blogging we see here is slanderous so what aare you moderating? R U checking our PC identities for passing on to Red Brick?
Please Zawa please open your offices. Even the mailons will now be shopping in mkushi