Don’t encroach KasunguNational Park, says chief

Senior Chief Lukwa of Kasungu has advised communities from traditional authorities (T/As) Chulu and Chinsinga to stop encroaching Kasungu National Park.

He said this on Sunday in T/A Chinsinga during a meeting with community members supported by International Fund for Animal Welfare (Ifaw).

Lukwa, who is African Chiefs on Conservation chairperson, said communities from the areas still find it hard to take ownership of the park.

 He said: “I advise communities to stop seeing the park and wildlife as something that belongs to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and foreign tourists.

 “The reason why people poach and encroach the park is because they think that it belongs to others and not us.”

The chief said people in Kenya understood the importance of conserving natural resources and wildlife.

“Instead of encroaching the protected areas, they are the ones who provide their land to government and Ifaw to make room for animals,” said Lukwa.

In his remarks, Ifaw community engagement officer Philip Namagonya said they were pleased that chiefs have realised that combating poaching around Kasungu National Park and other protected areas is everyone’s duty.

He said: “Ifaw and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife alone cannot win the fight without the support of local communities.

“Therefore, we will ensure to work with communities who are willing to support the government’s efforts to ensure that elephants and other protected species thrive for future generations.”

Ifaw is implementing Combating Wildlife Crimes in the Malawi/Zambia Landscape Project at Kasungu National Park.

Last year, government moved 250 elephants from Liwonde National Park to Kasungu to boost tourism in the district