Ministry of Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Dr. Howard Sikwela has urged four International Conservation Organisations working in partnership with Government to arrange an Indaba with line Ministries and traditional leaders to discuss best practices in the sector.

Speaking at his office this morning when representatives of the Non-Governmental Organisations namely; The Nature Conservancy (TNC), African Parks (AP), Frankfurt Zoological Society and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) paid a courtesy call on him, Dr. Sikwela says Government wants to take cluster approach in development and hence the need to engage all state holders in the conservation.

He notes that wildlife conservation efforts are greatly affected by other developments of agriculture, energy through hydro power development and mining.

The PS says there is need to be cautious with development approaches especially in the face climate change that has diverse effects on wildlife conservation.

And TNC Country Director Dr. Victor Siamuda said the NGOs are not anti-development but appreciate the contribution of every sector to national development to which effect his organization has worked with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to create the Conservation Value Map for Zambia which shows wildlife concentration across the country.

Dr. Siamuda says the organizations wants to help Government in achieving conservation objectives considering that there many challenges facing the sector including funding despite the many opportunities created hence the need to find a lasting solution.

He says Public Private Partnerships offer good solutions to some of the challenges being caused by some of the development initiatives.

Meanwhile the Sinda and Katete Subordinate courts have convicted three people for various wildlife crimes related to the illegal possession of elephant ivory and bone.

The Sinda Court convicted and sentenced Patrick Phiri, 32, to five years imprisonment with hard labour for the Illegal Possession of Protected Animal, namely 17.35 kilogrames of Elephant bones carved in the shape of ivory, contrary to section 130 (1) of Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015.

And the Katete Subordinate Court convicted Andrew Banda, 48, and Charles Phiri (23), for Unlawful Possession of Prescribed Trophy, namely two pieces of ivory weighing 15kg, contrary to section 130(2) (a) of the Zambia Wildlife Act no. 14 of 2015.

The duo was committed to the High Court for sentencing.