Malawi govt secures arms to curb animal poaching
In a bid to curb animal poaching in the country’s national parks and game reserves, government has secured at least 10,000 rounds of ammunition and 150 rifles for the department of Parks and Wildlife.
Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture, Kondwani Nankhumwa, disclosed this on Thursday at Liwonde National Park in Machinga when he addressed members of staff in the park during a familiarisation tour.
Nankhumwa said the Malawi Police Service (MPS) and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) donated the ammunitions and rifles respectively.
He said government is deeply concerned with the problem of poaching which he said is greatly affecting the country’s economy.
“We lose a lot of wildlife through poaching. Death of one animal is death of the country’s economy,” said Nankhumwa.
“We secured these rifles and ammunitions to step up security in the parks and tourism sector as a whole. Poachers have sophisticated weapons and we need to be more sophisticated to counter them,” said Nankhumwa.
The minister started the tour with an hour-long boat cruise at Mvuu Camp Lodge where he appreciated some wildlife in Shire River such as crocodiles and hippopotamus. He then went on to view different animals in the park like elephants and kudus among others.
“I am impressed with what I have seen. We have a lot of wildlife that can attract so many tourists to this country and bring economy,” said Nankhumwa.
One of the junior staff members, Twambi Chimimba, asked government to raise the field allowance they receive and consider them with promotions.
“We get K10,000 as field allowance for a period of 15 days. We feel this is not enough to buy food and upkeep,” said Chimimba.
The minister promised that government will try to motivate its staff in parks and wildlife department so that they work with utmost commitment.
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