By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –
THE Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) lost the focus of its core business and started concentrating on raising money for salaries as opposed to conserving wildlife, the Tourism Council of Zambia (TCZ) has said.
TCZ chairperson Felix Mulenga said the Government’s move to transform it was therefore, commendable.
He said the move will lead to an increase in animal population in national parks and all game management areas.
Mr Mulenga said in Lusaka that Governments’ decision as a step in the right direction as it would also help in the conservation of wildlife and management of game parks in the country.
He said ZAWA which depended on grants from the Government had lost focus as it concentrated on raising money for salaries as opposed to conserving wildlife.
Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata last week announced the proposed abolishment of ZAWA which has been facing operational challenges resulting in workers going for months without salaries.
ZAWA would now exist as a department in the Ministry of Tourism and Arts.
“We want to commend the Government’s move on ZAWA because this will reduce on poaching and improve on animal population. We think that this will lead to increase in efficiency in the running of ZAWA affairs,” Mr Mulenga said.
