TANZANIA: Thugs Shoot Conservationist, Is A Poacher-free Tanzania Possible

Wayne Lotter of PAMS
It has transpired that while coming from the airport the car he was travelling in was blocked by another vehicle from which two men emerged who opened the car doors and immediately shot him in cold blood before making off with his laptop.

None of the local Tanzanian media has as yet filed any story about what clearly looks like an assassination given the Guardian’s assertion that Wayne had received numerous death threats in the past related to his work.

In a twist of irony though did Tanzania’s Daily News only yesterday write about the progress made in anti poaching operations, even quoting the late Wayne Lotter and concluding that ‘there should be no turning back in the fight against poaching!

POACHING is not only a threat to wildlife in Tanzania, but also across the African continent due to high demand for ivory for architectural ornaments and other uses especially in Asian countries.

Conservationists after learning of the assassination expressed their fears and worries that others too could be killed, should the killers be able to retrieve information from the stolen laptop.

The killing reminds of the attempt on the life of Emmanuel de Merode in April 2014 when he was gunned down in his vehicle as he returned with important documents after making a report to the local prosecutor’s office. De Merode survived but took months to recover at the time.

It has adverse effects on Tanzania’s tourism sector, which earns the nation at least $2 billion annually. Tanzania envisages becoming a middle income economy and an industrialised nation by 2025.

This means the government has to ensure all sectors of the economy operate as efficiently and effectively as possible to realise this vision. But this requires the political will to implement without which there will be no positive results.

After a few years of hardworking, the government has finally plugged some loopholes in poaching or smuggling of government trophies, thanks to the intervention of PAMS Foundation. Since the formation of a taskforce in November 2014 to investigate poaching, hundreds of suspected poachers or smugglers of government trophies have been arrested and prosecuted.

This has been facilitated by the National and Transnational Serious Crimes Investigation Unit (NTSCIU). As a result, there is an increase in cases related to poaching or smuggling of government trophies filed at and adjudicated on in courts of law, the seizure of weapons and a reduction in poaching or incidents related to smuggling of government trophies in the country.

This is a notable achievement! “Thanks to some excellent intelligent work implemented by the NTSCIU within a few ecosystems previously (done initially with limited funding), PAMS Foundation was able to secure a significantly large grant, which enabled the Special Intelligent Project for Elephant Protection to be expanded nationwide since October 2014,” says PAMS Foundation Managing Director (Protected Areas Management Controls) Wayne Lotter in a statement.

His statement further says that, through the NTSCIU project, more than 870 poachers and illegal ivory traders have been arrested, more than 300 firearms and 20 motor vehicles used in wildlife crimes have been impounded and more than 240 people engaged in such activities have been prosecuted and those found guilty sentenced to serve at least 20 years in jail.

A new and effective approach in the handling of cases related to poaching or smuggling of government trophies started since 2014 during the fourth phase government under President Jakaya Kikwete, who effective from October 3, 2014 appointed Biswalo Mganga as DPP.

Before his appointment, he was serving as Assistant Director in the DPP’s Office and Senior State Attorney. Although there were efforts to prosecute suspected poachers or smugglers of government trophies even before, notable achievements are seen in the fifth phase government under President John Magufuli.

Suspects are now seen being prosecuted and those found guilty are imprisoned or fined or both. Smuggling of ivory, lion nails, giraffe bones and horns, rhinoceros horns, crocodile and hippopotamus teeth and other government trophies, including unlawful possession of live animals, has been going on for years, but hardly there was any effective strategy to contain the problem.

This has raised questions why it was difficult to contain poaching or smuggling of government trophies even where the culprits were arrested and arraigned. DPP Mganga says the problem has been partly contributed to a wrong mindset among some Tanzanians, who think the government values more animals than its citizens, which he says is not true.

Unfortunately, some magistrates, judges and lawyers have also this kind of mindset, which has been slowing down progress in the prosecution of suspected poachers or smugglers of government trophies in the country, he says.

He states protection of fauna and flora has a significant contribution to the national economy. Yet, some people don’t see or don’t want to see this connection. He says the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania he swore to protect stipulates the duty to protect natural resources, including wildlife and there should be efficient and effective strategies to protect them.

Article 9 of the Constitution articulates, among other things, that the state authority and all its agencies are obliged to direct their policies and programmes towards ensuring– (c) that activities of the government are conducted in such a way as to ensure that the national wealth and heritage are harnessed, preserved and applied for the common good and also to prevent the exploitation of one person by another and (i) that the use of national wealth places emphasis on the development of the people and in particular is geared towards the eradication of poverty, ignorance and disease.

So, he says, On the basis of this, living things, including wildlife, need protection and advocacy. According to him, Article 9 is the starting point of what he is doing in his capacity as DPP. Our natural resources, including elephants, rhinoceroses and giraffes, are protected for national interest and this is throughout the world.

We have to put in place better and appropriate strategies to protect our natural resources so that they are not depleted by the unscrupulous few for they are for both present and future generations, he notes.

He notes further that the law on poaching or smuggling of government trophies is clear, but it has been applied differently to the different ac cused, which he says shows a double standard and raises doubts on the integrity of some judges and lawyers, who put personal before national interests.

Between 2009 and 2014, there were 13 key accused, who were bailed, but jumped their bail. Seeing this, we have adopted a new approach to ensure all accused are available when their cases are being heard and determined in court.

This seems to be an efficient and effective approach for it has facilitated the hearing and determination of all 59 cases of poaching or smuggling of government trophies without any jump of bail and it is a great achievement, he states.

One of the issues, which is being complained about by the DPP’s Office is that for some poaching cases even where the evidence is clear, the judgement given is not consonant with what the law says.

Section 86(2)(c)(ii) of the Wildlife Act No 5 of 2009 stipulates that, where the value of the trophy which is the subject matter of the charge exceeds 1m/-, to imprisonment for a term of not less than twenty years, but not exceeding thirty years and the court may, in addition thereto, impose a fine not exceeding five million shillings or ten times the value of the trophy, whichever is larger amount.

Yet, for some cases of this nature those found guilty were sentenced to two years in prison, which raises more questions than answers on judicial independence and integrity. However, the DPP says for the time being poaching or smuggling of government trophies cases are being heard and determined on time.

He says another thing that has speeded up the hearing and determination of cases is the establishment of a fauna and flora desk, which he says although it started during the time of his predecessor Judge Feleshi, it has been strengthened during his tenure of office.

He notes that cooperation with stakeholders in and outside the country, including neighbouring countries, the police, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and the Judiciary and having focal persons in various parts of the country has also played a pivotal role in the speeding up of hearing and determination of the cases.

You can’t believe that the number of elephants has started increasing and even a flock of elephants has invaded human settlements in Dodoma, he says. On the other hand, the DPP sees there is a need to have judicial guidelines on bail conditions and judgement to avoid a double standard for the accused facing similar poaching charges.

This double standard in judgement cannot be equated with judicial independence, he explains. According to him, there is also a need to build capacity through training to make the fauna and flora desk more efficient and effective in the fight against poaching.

He notes that public awareness on environmental conservation and protection is extremely needed to curb pollution, which destroys animal habitats. He thus advocates environmentally friendly practices that put human, animal and plant life in a safer environment.

A poacher-free Tanzania is possible if we all cooperate to protect our natural resources, including the fauna and flora, he stresses. It is estimated that in 1961 (during independence), Tanganyika (now Tanzania) had 350,000 elephants, but the number dropped to 130,000 between 2002 and 2009.

In 2012, Tanzania had the second largest number of elephants in Africa (110,000) after Botswana, which had the largest elephant population (123,000) at the time. Another elephant census published in June 2015 shows Tanzania had 43,000 elephants left from 109,000 elephants recorded in 2009!

This sharp drop in the number of elephants and other rare species has alarmed the government and environmentalists both at local and international levels. If efforts made to curb poaching in the country continue, the elephant population will increase in the near future.

So, there should be no turning back in the fight against poaching!

TANZANIA: Selous Game Reserve The Last True Stronghold For The African Wild Dog

The Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest faunal reserves of the world, located in the south of Tanzania.

It was named after Englishman Sir Frederick Selous, a famous big game hunter and early conservationist, who died at Beho Beho in this territory in 1917 while fighting against the Germans during World War I.

The Selous was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 due to the diversity of its wildlife and undisturbed nature.

The reserve covers a total area of 54,600 km2 (21,100 sq mi) and has additional buffer zones.

Within the reserve no permanent human habitation or permanent structures are permitted.

All human entry and exit is carefully controlled by the Wildlife Division of the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Some of the typical animals of the savanna for example African bush elephants, black rhinos, hippopotamus, Masai lions, East African wild dogs, cheetahs, Cape buffaloes, Masai giraffes, Plains zebras, and crocodiles can be found in this park in larger numbers than in any other African game reserve or national park.

The area was first designated a protected area in 1896 by the German Governor Hermann von Wissmann and became a hunting reserve in 1905.

Most of the reserve remains set aside for game hunting through a number of privately leased hunting concessions, but a section of the northern park along the Rufiji River has been designated a photographic zone and is a popular tourist destination.

There are several high end lodges and camps mainly situated along the river and lake systems in this area. Rather difficult road access means most visitors arrive by small aircraft from Dar es Salaam, though train access is also possible.

Interesting places in the park include the Rufiji River, which flows into the Indian Ocean opposite Mafia Island and the Stiegler Gorge, a canyon of 100 metres depth and 100 metres width.

Habitats include grassland, typical Acacia savanna, wetlands and extensive Miombo woodlands.

Although total wildlife populations are high,the reserve is large and densities of animals are lower than in the more regularly visited northern tourist circuit of Tanzania.

Walking safaris are permitted in the Selous, and boat trips on the Rufiji are a popular activity.

A boundary change to allow the use of uranium deposits has been approved. The approval for the boundary change was given by the UNESCO and seriously criticized by environmentalists and organizations e.g., Uranium-Network and Rainforest Rescue.

In 1976, the Selous Game Reserve contained about 109,000 elephants, then the largest in the world.

By 2013, the numbers had dropped to about 13,000 including a 66% drop from 2009 to 2013.

Sources blame corrupt politicians, officials and businessmen who help poachers.

Activities

Much as the typical game drives are only allowed during the day time, you will only find some of the best boat safaris in Africa .

The lodges have got the very best of the walking operations on the African continent, particularly that is to say, Beho Beho, Siwandu and Sand Rivers Selous.

Fly camping trips including long walking safaris and very daring mobile camp set ups are also run by a number of operators. This is such an amazing venture for those clients that like to spend a night or two under the stars.

Three of the finest camps in Tanzania are found within the Selous.A number of them also consider themselves as the best in Africa.

Camps such as the Beho Beho and the Sand Rivers are unique lodges that are and for all activities that popularize the Selous.

Realize value for money at the Selous Safari camp .It is a magnificent tented camp and noted as the best game area of the park. Next to it is the no frills Lake Manze.

It is a daring small camp which is famous for its being on the elephant highway. Impala camp is a bit faraway from here but gives you a luxurious level of comfort yet at a very affordable price.

Rufiji River camp, The Retreat, The Amara Selous and the two Serena properties are the others where you can stay.

Time to visit the Selous Game Reserve.

Do not assume this park at any time of the year. The Selous being a classic dry season park. The best time to visit is during the months of July to October as there are many animals that gather in this park.

For the season you visit, the game gradually improves. Game viewing is only very good throughout the year and in particular areas.

The animals move away from the fertile feeding grounds during the months of January to February and this is the time for you to wisely choose your place of camping. Whilst, this is the perfect time for the best birding.

Selous Game Reserve is Africa's largest game reserve and one of favourite game viewing areas in Africa. Covering 50,000 square kilometres, is amongst the largest protected areas in Africa and is relatively undisturbed by human impact.

Africa’s largest and oldest game reserve is one of its most scenic wildlife destinations; the Selous is utterly beautiful. The beauty of the park is matched by the quality of a safari here; boating, walking and fly camping compliment standard game driving in thriving wildlife areas.

This is an outrageously good safari park and an essential component of any southern circuit itinerary.

The Selous is a superb safari destination for both family safaris and African honeymoons, all the better for the ease of getting there and the lack of crowds. The park has the widest diversity of safari activities in the country, offering the boating safaris as well as standard game drives, walking safaris and legendary fly camping trips.

The Northern section of Selous is home to a network of channels and lagoons that run off the Rufiji River. This lush landscape provides a water supply for the region’s game and towards the end of the dry season the concentration of animals around these water sources is phenomenal.

It is here, around the river and lakes, that the majority of the camps are based; successfully relying on the animal’s need for water to provide game viewing areas. Selous is in its peak season from July through to the middle of November - this when the dry season is raging and all the game homes in on the few permanent water sources.

The sheer volume of game in the Selous is outstanding with statistics putting most parks in Africa to shame.

Elephant, buffalo and lion are ‘arguably’ found in no greater numbers year round anywhere on the planet.

But it is the Selous’ reputation as the last true stronghold for African wild dog that draws the enthusiasts.



Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com

TANZANIA: Tourism Growth Will Need Plenty Of Initiatives

Airline operations demand a lot of financial investments and thus the government might find itself digging deep into its pockets to keep the operations afloat in the contexts of competition, customer demands, and political interventions here and there.

And with time, salvation may lie in joint venturing with experienced airlines, or raising operational funds through selling shares. In whichever option, for both the government and shareholders, profitability will be watched keenly.

For growth in tourism to be achieved, one must see and evaluate the engagement and effective roles of many more stakeholders private and public.

In this lies the differences in our country's tourism efforts and it should not be lost on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to provide enough funds to enable TTB effect its strategic marketing plan.

And no amount of wishful thinking by the ministry on the need for massive advertising will make Tanzania, as a tourism destination, be known unless those wishes are backed up with sufficient funds for advertising and promotion.

For many years, TTB has been under-funded and now is closing even its strategic offices in America And while Kenya and Zanzibar are registering a growth of cruise ships arrivals, little is known of such type of tourists in Dar es Salaam, Tanga or Mtwara ports.

Only in January 2017, Mombasa received 1,050 visitors from a cruise ship Ms Nautica, operated by Oceania Cruises. If growing the tourist numbers into Tanzania is a tall order for whatever reason, the other option, thus, is to ensure the few tourists in Tanzania spend a considerable amount of money on our services and products.

This needs an elaborate strategy whch is inclusive of as many players as possible. According to an American Marketing Guru, Igor Ansoff, there is a market-growth matrix which articulates this option clearly.

In market penetration, tourists can increase the quantity and frequency of consumption if sufficient marketing efforts on Tanzanian products and services are undertaken.

The synergy between TTB and ATC can ensure Tanzania gets regularly good numbers of tourists but it remains to be seen how other local market collaborators, (including hoteliers, tour operators and national parks) play roles.

A growth in numbers would not impact on many Tanzanians. It is therefore a duty of many more players to be intellectually alert, professionally skillful and strategy oriented.

And this needs a concerted policy by one regulator to see to it that no contradiction is seen from any tourism operator. Yes, the advent of the Bombadier planes is a ma jor tonic in tourism and one which expects others to play the game in equal measure so that a correlation of benefits to more players can be seen in a country of many tourism resources.

But this will make sense only when sufficient efforts are applied in hotel grading, upgrading of tourism and hotel training college, infrastructural face-lifts and more funding to the Tanzania Tourist Board to market Tanzania and sensitize Tanzanians of their role and benefits thereof from tourism.

The monitoring and evaluation of the many-in tourism is one area that does not come to the fore of the public interest in a transparent manner, possibly because of the absence of a regulatory authority and policy or mechanism to hold players accountable for what they plan to do.

Tanzania should scale up this important industry to villagers so that they can feel a sense of belonging as the many natural resources exist near their communities.

The legendary American boxer Muhammad Ali once said "The man who has no imagination, has no wings." Whoever thought the makonde carvings and selling should be delegated to the fringes of the city denies this country a lot of tourist pur chases.

Furthermore, the abolition of the Village Museum dance troupes does not see the frustration of tourist market and appetite for cultural exchange and taste. Most tourists come for the difference that our country can offer and we fail to seize these opportunities because of a deficit in creativity.

And all these happen when Baraza la Sanaa and TASUBA, like TTB or ATC, are fully financied by the government and spends more time in Dar while there is a lot of cultural undertakings upcountry that needs to be marketed when tourists visit.

Positioning strategies in tourism for Tanzania have other opportunities in cultural tourism if the one hundred and twenty tribes could be sensitized along the cultural activities unique to each region or tribe like the Maasai dance, Sukuma snake dance or other music folklores, menus and artifacts.

The tourists will enjoy these issues and spend money on them hence enrich the local people out of their poverty. Equally, Karibu Tourism Fair in Arusha and Kili Tourism Fair in Moshi are a pointer of what the private sectors in other regions can do to join the bandwagon of tourism promotional strategy.

In a country where beer industry has a long and vibrant drinking history, the tourists with their drinking fete background would travel in droves to coincide with a beer festival for the drinking season like it is done in Europe.

All this is said here to show how tourists can spend more money while in Tanzania instead of concentrating on the traditional menu of sea, sand and sun or merely the conventional flora et fauna.

Tourists numbers matter but also how much they spend while touring Tanzania counts more hence a need to strike optimal balance between these two factors.

With bombadier planes, let tourists reach Katavi Region to see the rare white giraffes and Manyara Region to see the tree climbing lions while Kigoma Region offers the chimpanzee and the historical ship, Mv Liemba on the second deepest Lake Tanganyika.

In this manner, tourism will be scaled up to the level of a major employer both in urban and rural areas to provide jobs and reduce poverty.