Dodoma — THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has dished
out euro 30,000 and US 100,000 dollars to support the country's
antipoaching drive, the National Assembly heard.
Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Mahmoud Mgimwa,
made the disclosure when responding to a principal question by Iringa
Urban MP, Mr Peter Msigwa (Chadema), who had wanted to know how the
government was solving the problem amid declining numbers of jumbos in
national parks.
The question by Mr Msigwa, who is the shadow minister for the
ministry, was asked on his behalf by Muhambwe MP, Mr Felix Mkosamali.
Mr Mgimwa said the country had received support from a number of
partners, noting that the rate at which the elephants were being poached
for their tusks had reduced considerably.
The African Elephant Fund, the deputy minister noted, had provided
Tanzania with US 33,160 dollars to strengthen enforcement of the law at
sea and airports which were often used to sneak out ivory and other
trophies.
"In addition, over 100 game warders have received training on
combating poachers which was provided by Interpol, Howard Buffet
Foundation, TRAFFIC and LATF," Mr Mgimwa noted.
The anti-poaching drive, the deputy minister said, had also received
an equipment boost, including 21 vehicles, two helicopters, tents,
binoculars and uniforms from various partners.
Mr Mgimwa said the government had also taken a number of measures to
address the problem in line with resolutions reached during the London
Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade held in February, last year.
At the meeting Tanzania was also required to improve a database of
its ivory stockpile. It also initiated an elephant protection initiative
with other African countries facing the problem, namely Gabon, Chad,
Zambia and South Sudan.
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