• There is need for enhanced collaborative management partnerships.
• There is also need for strengthening planning.
• True conservation can only be achieved by full participation of local communities

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Arts has called for introduction of new wildlife-based tourism products and improved community-based wildlife management in order for the wildlife sub-sector to contribute significantly to tourism development.

Officiating at the consultative meeting with chiefs and community resource boards on the amendment of the Wildlife Act of 2015 in Lusaka, Evans Muhanga also called for enhanced collaborative management partnerships.

Mr. Muhanga further stressed the need to strengthen planning through ensuring that tourism development area plans and general management plans for all areas are prepared accordingly.

“The success in achieving the above intentions will largely depend on supportive wildlife legislation,” Mr. Muhanga said.

And Zambia Community Resources Boards Association President George Tembo expressed happiness that Government recognizes tradition, leadership and community structures coming from the various resource boards across the country by calling for their input in the course of the review of the Wildlife Act.

“The communities will be able to share their thoughts considering that Government has its views that the two combined, would build a strong Community Based Natural Resources Management system in the country,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Director Dr. Chuma Simukonda stated that the idea that wildlife management be left for the elite and exclude communities has been proved to fail.

Dr. Chuma said true conservation can only be achieved by full participation of local communities who live side by side the wildlife resource.