CS Balala sets up taskforce on human-wildlife conflict (Kenya)

Author(s)

Brenda Czeda, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation

Date Published

See link for photo.

The government has established a task-force to look into ways of addressing human wildlife conflict as well as end clashes between ranchers and communities.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala says the task force is expected to make recommendations on game farming and game ranching with a view of evaluating its contribution to among others the country’s GDP, and food security.

Besides dealing with cases of poaching and wildlife trafficking the Kenya Wildlife Service has found itself dealing with cases of human-wildlife conflict where pastoral communities have invaded private ranches in search of pasture resulting in clashes between ranchers and grazers.

The taskforce is now expected to come up with lasting solutions to human-wildlife conflict, as well as safeguard game parks, community and private land.

Balala, says the Task Force, which will be headed by former KWS Director Dr. David Western will evaluate options of consumptive utilization of wildlife when it comes to game farming and game ranching in community and private lands, taking cognizance of the impacts successes and failures of the previous wildlife cropping program.

The task force will also evaluate how its use will contribute to the national GDP, food security, job creation and livelihood support, with a view of creating peaceful co-existence between communities and wildlife.

According to the Cabinet Secretary the list of others task force members will be made public through a gazette notice.

http://www.kbc.co.ke/cs-balala-sets-taskforce-human-wildlife-conflict/