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Anti-poaching war gets boost
2006-09-03 10:11:43
By Simon Kivamwo
The Wildlife Conservation Foundation of Tanzania (WCFT) yesterday pledged continued support to Tanzania in its endeavours to conserve and protect wildlife.
’’You (Tanzania) have a very important part of the world heritage that calls for continued conservation,’’ said the WCFT President, Valery Giscard d’ Estaing, who is also former President of France.
Giscard d’Estaing was speaking shortly after he had handed over to the Wildlife Division in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism three state-of-the-art Landcruisers equipped with Hi-Fi frequency radio communications, totally valued at 177m/- to be used for anti-poaching operations in the country’s game reserves.
Flanked by the WCFT Trustee, Eric Pasanisi, who represented the Foundation’s Executive Vice-President, Gerard Pasanisi, Giscard d’Estaing, said: ’’The government of Tanzania through the able leadership of former President Benjamin Mkapa and President Jakaya Kikwete has attached great importance to the conservation of wildlife, efforts that should be supported by people from the entire world.’’
The former French President handed over the three vehicles to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Saleh Pamba, during a colourful ceremony also witnessed by the Director of Wildlife, Emmanuel Severre.
He said wildlife was in danger of being wiped out everywhere in the world due to increased population that has resulted in increased farming activities that encroach on wildlife habitats.
Giscard d’Estaing said the Foundation was created in 2001 with a team of high level patrons in the names of former President Mkapa and former US President George Bush to indicate interest and support to wildlife conservation.
The three vehicles donated yesterday was a fulfillment of a promise given by the WCFT at its gala dinner held in Dar es Salaam on June 20, this yea, to raise funds to assist the Wildlife Division.
In his remarks, Pamba thanked the Foundation for the support aimed at strengthening anti-poaching and law enforcement capabilities.
He said the WCFT support to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism demonstrated the dire need for growing partnerships between the private and public sectors for a common goal — conservation and sustainable use of wildlife resources while ensuring that livelihoods in the villages were improved.
However, Pamba said the ministry needed more financial support which the government could not sufficiently provide.
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