TOURISM, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Catherine Namugala has said it is immoral for some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other countries to reject Zambia’s proposal to downlist its elephant population for the purpose of trade.
Ms Namugala castigated the NGOs and other countries which campaigned against Zambia’s proposal, saying they had no moral right to oppose a proposal which came from a sovereign state.
Speaking in Lusaka yesterday during the media briefing on the outcome of CITES, Ms Namugala said some NGOs which had never been to Zambia and knew less about the country opposed the proposal to downlist elephant population.
The so-called African Elephant Coalition which own a small percentage of the total 430,000 elephant population on the continent campaigned aggressively with Kenya against Zambia’s proposal.
‘‘This group, which is largely supported by NGOs, was collecting money from emotional old men and women. What moral right do these organisations have to decide for us that elephants should continue terrorising villagers in Chiawa and other parts of Zambia?’’ she asked.
Zambia’s proposal failed to reach a two-thirds majority vote, polling 57 votes in favour and 54 votes against.
The implications of the non-acceptance of Zambia’s proposal entails that the elephant population still remains on CITES appendix I listings, and international trade in raw hides, trade in live animals and ivory would not be permitted.
[pullquote]‘‘This group, which is largely supported by NGOs, was collecting money from emotional old men and women. What moral right do these organisations have to decide for us that elephants should continue terrorising villagers in Chiawa and other parts of Zambia?’’ she asked.[/pullquote]
This means that funds for conservation would remain a constraint and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) would continue the stockpile of ivory at high cost.
The communities would also continue suffering crop and other forms of damage without any real benefits accruing from elephants.
Ms Namugala, however, said the Zambian proposal received outright support from parties such as Japan, China, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, Uganda, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Canada as well as NGOs such as Wildlife Fund, the World Conservation Trust, Japan Federation of Ivory Arts and Crafts
Association, Safari Club International and Global Guardian Trust.
As a way forward, Ms Namugala said Zambia needed to engage the United States of America to allow import of trophy ivory from Zambian elephant population before the country could propose to increase hunting quota to 120 elephants as outlined in the proposal.
‘‘We lost our bid but we are not out. The Government will commence preparations for Zambia to make another proposal for the next Conference of Parties due in 2013,’’ Ms Namugala said.
It cost US$10,000 to hunt a single elephant. Currently, hunters are only allowed to hunt 20 elephants.
During the 15th CITES held in Qatar from March 13 to 25, 2010, Zambia lost the bid to downlist elephant population from Appendix I to Appendix II of the Convention which in pursuant to Article XV of the congress which gives Parties to the Convention the right to propose amendments to Appendix I and II for consideration by the Conference of Parties.
The major setback to the Zambian proposal was the opposition from Kenya which counter-lobbied for the ban on trade in ivory.
Zambia’s proposal involved trade in hunting trophies for non-commercial purposes as well as trade in live animals to appropriate and acceptable destinations.
Other proposals the country had made involved trade in raw hides and trade in the registered 21.6 tonnes of Government-owned stockpile of raw ivory which is safety stored at Chilanga.
Tourism Council of Zambia (TCZ) chairperson Mark O’Donnell, who was present during the briefing, said it was disturbing that some people rejected Zambia’s proposal when they did not offer alternatives to support the country’s development agenda.
[Zambia Dialy Mail]
Iwe Catherine the only people who are immoral are people like you. Honestly how can you campaign for so called trophy hunting? Are you the Zambian version of Sarah from Wasila? Only a sick person can get thrills from a bloody sport like shooting animals. Catherine you are a liar! If Zambia now has an increasing elephant population which stands at 27 000 can you explain what happened to the elephant population in the Luangwa valley that stood at 70 000 and 55 000 in the Kafue National Park in the 1970s. Dear Zambians go to YouTube and search for illegal Ivory trade in Zambia and you will see the rampant poaching in Zambia.
Catherine .. YOU are a big big big disgrace.. I was so embarrassed by what you were trying to do and you have embarassed each and every Zambian that ever lived.. How dare you try to kill our Elephants .. How dare you want to talk on our behalf like we agree with your backward evil plans.. How dare you propose such a stu.pid thing like down grade security level!!!! LEAVE OUR GENTLE GIANTS ALONE !!!!! No trade in Ivory for Zambia!! period Reduce the quota for your evil hunting from 20 animals to zero.. I would like to see us have a populaion of over 100,000 elephants again in Zambia.. and just burn the 30 tonnes that you stock piled and were hoping to sell for quick cash.. There are otehr ways of raising funds..
The decision not to allow Zambia hunt and sell ivory was done in good faith. Elephants are an endangered specie and the need to protect them. Imagine a world without elephants, what will the world show to our great, great grandchildren to come. Let the elephants live and may the pipo leaving in the elephant catcment realise that were they are living with animals and the need to co-exist. No wonder, its rare to see a live snake and you can no longer hunt birds cos thay are all hunted.Let the government find resources to conserve our game like reducing the much talked corruption in public offices and lavish spending on trips by Bwezani and cronies.
a government minister and she doesn’t understand how CITES works
This is what happens when you give a lunatic power, poor blessed elephants thank God they have people like me who sent prayers for them. We are the custodians of God’s animals so Tumbulina needs our protection so as she can graze and move her 8 tonnes of pure African Muscle on the Savanna gracefully
Iyeee abantu ukupunamaaa! What do you intend to do with 100000 elephants terrorizing villagers? There is nothing wrong with what Namugala is suggesting if done in a controlled manner. Sell the ivory to raise money to improve the measures in place against poaching, help the terrorized villagers with some of the money raised. Control the elephant population for the terrorized villagers benefit. What are natural resources for? Do you want to see the elephants take control of Zambia? Ukupunama!
Iyeee, we are not ukupunamaaa or what ever read history, something that most Africans neglect thus we have inferior complexes. Ministers ride in the latest s600 or e class. Use that money to protect the villagers and the gentle giants. Elephants used to roam the whole continent in millions now only 750000 remain ain’t that something. Un punamaa yourself and free Zambia period.
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