Tourism and Arts Minister Charles Banda says his Ministry has lifted the ban on resident hunting with new regulations that will allow residents to hunt to only harvest what is on license this year.

Speaking when Chairperson of the Resident Hunters and Conservation Associating of Zambia, Captain David Mwila led members of his association and some Honourary Rangers at Kwacha House for a donation of food items all valued at K90, 000 for local communities this morning, the Minister appreciated the association’s initiative but called for the sensitization of some members involved in the indiscriminate hunting.

Mr. Banda says the donation is proof that that the association is not only profit oriented but also ploughing back into the community thereby encouraging the communities to be willing to work with such associations.

He says hunters have a role to do conservation by hunting in a legal manner.

And Captain Mwila says his associating has identified community scouts in various Game Management Areas (GMAs) who are the fore front against the battle with poachers who are working under very difficult conditions.

He says his organization is also aware of the unfortunate situation of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife of not having enough man power and insufficient funding to effectively manage the vast GMAs.

The chairperson says in form of rations is desperately needed for the valiant officers to continue perform their duties.

The association donated 350×25 bags of mealie meal, 250x10kg packets of sugar, 250×10 litres of cooking oil and 500kg of salt