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State bans hunting in Dete, Hwange
Tsitsi Matope, The Herald (Zimbabwe)
August 31, 2005

http://www.zimconservation.com/archives5-170.htm

[The] Government has banned, with immediate effect, hunting in the Dete and Hwange areas to protect the presidential herd of elephants which has been designated for game viewing and photographic safaris only.

In an interview this week, Tourism and Environment Minister Mr Francis Nhema said the decision was taken to open the way for legislated activities and to revive tourism operations which had been disrupted by safari operators hunting in the area.

"We have banned hunting activities in those areas where we find the presidential herd of elephants for sanity and order to prevail and to ensure those legally in the permitted business go about with no disturbances," Mr Nhema said.

Business has been declining since 2000 after some wildlife farmers illegally occupied part of the area and began conducting their hunting activities.

This negatively impacted on operations by those specialising in game viewing and photographic safaris.

The Rainbow Tourism Group, which operates four lodges - Sable Valley, Sikumi and Kanondo Tree Lodges and Khatshana Lodge - was one of the worst affected, losing two of its lodges, Khatshana and Kanondo, to some of the wildlife farmers who claimed ownership of the land on which the lodges were situated.

In a separate interview, RTG chief executive officer Mrs Chipo Mtasa confirmed the Government had ordered the return of the two properties to RTG a few months ago.

"The phase has really affected us and as a result of the illegal hunting we lost business because our clients were scared away by the dead animals they saw on their tours and the shooting done by the hunters," Mrs Mtasa said.

She said occupancy levels fell by more than 50 percent and they were only able to operate two lodges during the last three years.

"At the moment our occupation levels are well below 20 percent, but we hope with the support we are now getting from the Government business will have stabilised by next year."

Ms Mtasa said her organisation was working flat out to refurbish Katshana and Kanondo lodges, which had been run down by the farmers.

"We have so far set aside more than $1 billion for the refurbishment of the lodges, which we are sure by next year will be operational."

She said her organisation, with the help of other stakeholders, had also embarked on an intensive marketing drive to restore the confidence of their clients who were in love with the area.

"We need to save this wildlife haven by involving all stakeholders to see that business is done properly and legally.

We lost many animals, which is our major source of attraction, to poachers who took advantage of the situation prevailing then. We still have time to ensure the area regains its lost pride by supporting the tourism sector through various means," Mrs Mtasa said.

Mr Nhema echoed the need to conduct business in a sustainable manner to ensure one of the country's major sources of foreign currency is protected.

He said his ministry would not sit by and watch the country's resources go to waste hence the decision to give teeth to all the wildlife legislation in place.

"Tourism is a serious business with huge rewards that can make a vast difference to the country's economy if it is managed professionally. Zimbabwe boasts the most amazing tourism attractions in the world and many pay thousands of dollars in foreign currency to see the wildlife riches endowed in Zimbabwe," Mr Nhema said.

He said it was against this background that Government was bending over backwards to facilitate the availability of scarce commodities, such as fuel, to tourists.

"We are ensuring that all the people who want to visit Zimbabwe easily access fuel. In fact, fuel is readily available to those with foreign currency that includes the South African rand, Botswana pula, American dollars, British pounds and the euro, amongst others. The bulk of our tourists use these currencies so they should not have any problems moving around the country," Mr Nhema said.

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