The East African governments have been advised to formulate a common
policy that would set conducive environment to control poaching in the
region.
Mr Jim Nyamu, leader of an initiative ‘March for Elephants’ to fight
poaching in the East African region noted here that Tanzania, Kenya
and Uganda have a homework to accomplish since poaching is still a
huge problem.
“We need a common policy for the three countries and it should clearly
state and demarcate land for farming and agriculture and that for
livestock so as to save land that is being invaded and affect
wildlife,” said the leader before proceeding to Dar es Salaam.
Mr Nyamu who is also the Executive Director of a Kenyan based Elephant
Neighbours Centre (ENC), said the march seeks to bring together the
three countries and deliberate on best ways to end poaching so as to
save elephants and rhinos in the countries.
“Through the ‘March for Elephants,’ we also aim to increase awareness
among citizens of these countries on the importance of elephants and
rhinos so that the people join in the war against poaching,” he said.
In the process, added Mr Nyamu, they collaborate with different
institutions and companies, including tourism companies, hotels,
wildlife corporations and other tourism stakeholders who could support
the three governments to safeguard national parks, game reserves and
animals within them.
“Statistics show that in three years, a big number of elephants and
rhinos have been killed in Tanzania. In Kenya the number of elephants
has gone down from 30,000 in 2010 to 25,000 in 2013. The situation is
serious and needs urgent attention,” he noted.
The 10th phase ‘March for Elephants’ was launched in Nairobi, Kenya by
the Kenyan First Lady, Ms Margaret Kenyatta on June 4th, this year,
saying the event was being conducted to raise awareness of the value
of elephants and rhinos, to help mitigate human-elephant conflicts and
to promote antipoaching activities.
The march covers more than 3,200 kilometres in the three countries.
“After Kilimanjaro, we will proceed to Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and
then Kampala via Bukoba (Kagera) and go back to Kenya through Busia,”
said the scientist. Mr Nyamu is a research scientist and activist
against poaching and trade in ivory.
In September and October 2013, he walked 560 miles from Boston, MA, to
Washington, DC – culminating on 4th October in Washington, DC as a
portion of an international march for elephants. It was a worldwide
event organised by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT).
The DSWT has sponsored marches in 15 cities, ranging from London to
Cape Town to Bangkok. Independently, sympathetic groups marched in
about 25 other cities around the world.