Mmegi

The ‘trapped’ Western panhandle villages

Losing battle: Villagers in the north-west fight endless wars against wildlife. The communities in four Western panhandle villages have found a solution for themselves PIC: USAID
Losing battle: Villagers in the north-west fight endless wars against wildlife. The communities in four Western panhandle villages have found a solution for themselves PIC: USAID

Stuck between rampaging wildlife and few income options, the people of four villages in the Delta's Western panhandle are pioneering sustainable wildlife solutions. If only the Land Board would play its part, they say. MBONGENI MGUNI writes

Villagers in Tubu in the Western panhandle are getting desperate. While other areas in the north-west enjoy healthy seasonal incomes from their controlled hunting quotas, Tubu villagers believe their allocation is too small especially when compared to the damage wildlife, particularly elephants, cause to their limited attempts at subsistence agriculture.

Controlled hunting quotas are designed to ensure communities benefit from the values of the wildlife resource. The revenues received by communities from the quotas also strengthen the sense of stewardship of these animals for their conservation.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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