Natural resource protection given priority

AFRICAN SOLUTION: Nyalandu said countries must work together to tackle common problems like the increasing wildlife poaching.

Protecting natural resources is the backbone of socio-economic development across the world, people involved in the tourism industry who gathered in Arusha last week have unanimously agreed writes ELISHA MAYALLAH.

 Commenting on the importance of wildlife and natural resources management at the regional summit in Arusha, the UN Resident Coordinator in Tanzania, Alvaro Rodriguez said poaching poses a serious threat to Tanzania’s tourism, including other East African Community countries. 

He said this illegal activity should be tackled at national and regional levels.  The United Nations is ready to increase its support of national, regional and international efforts in addressing wildlife crimes. In our responses. We must continue to utilise key international instruments we already have to tackle this issue,” he said.

“More cooperation is needed between source, transit and consumer countries. We need more support for social and economic development activities, including livelihood diversification, community based natural resource management and decentralised resource management to bring value, aesthetic and financial, of wild flora and fauna to communities and provide a disincentive for illegal trade,” he said.

 He pointed out that there is need to put more focus on governance and the rule of law on national and regional cooperation.

Tanzania Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu asked countries to work together for sustainable development through inclusive approaches and community awareness on the importance of wildlife management. 

Nyalandu said the value of enhancing and strengthening collaboration between various stakeholders should not be underestimated in order to curb poaching. The minister said the future of Africa’s wildlife is everybody’s responsibility. 

“The problem of poaching requires an African solution - we must work together to improve the situation in regional perspective; that is working together as a region,” he said. 

“We have launched a National Strategy to fight and combat poaching. We have established the Tanzania Wildlife Authority to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in dealing with wildlife issues and challenges,” he said. 

The Head of European Union Delegation to Tanzania and EAC, Ambassador Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi commended the Tanzania government on the steps taken to combat wildlife crime. “The EU has been for a long time partner in wildlife conservation and against wildlife crime. It firmly believes in regional action and cross boarder coordinated response.

“I congratulate Tanzania and her neighbouring countries for the bold commitment taken today to end wildlife crime in the sub - region. The EU stands ready to scale up its support to such call for action. Supply, transit and destination countries of ivory and illegal wildlife items should join forces,” he said.

The meeting brought together African leaders, members of the US Congress, UN agencies, donor countries, and representatives of civil society and academia, among others. Topics included law enforcement, transnational dimensions of wildlife crime, and conservation. The meeting included participants reaffirmed their commitment to continue managing and conserving the wildlife in the region including Tanzania.