The Sunday News
Our Own Correspondent
A BLANKET ban on the commercial trade of wildlife will not only have a negative impact on the economies of source markets but will increase the depletion rates of wildlife as most communities will shy away from protecting assets they do not derive any economic benefit from, South African President Jacob Zuma has said.
President Zuma made the remarks during yesterday’s opening of the 17th Conference of Parties on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), held in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.
President Zuma’s warning comes in the backdrop of calls by a clique of Western non-governmental organisations that are advocating for the ban in commercial trade of wildlife. The same NGOs are attending CoP17 with a protectionist attitude that seeks uplifting both the African lion and elephant to Appendices I.
President Zuma’s submission dove-tails with the statement released by the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority of Zimbabwe.
“The protectionist idealism is contrary to economic development in Zimbabwe. The growth of the tourism economy in Zimbabwe is hinged upon the sustainable utilisation of the resources found within the country,” reads the proposal by Zimbabwe before CoP17.
The South African President underscored that “natural resources do not only sustain livelihoods of communities they are also critical in promoting economic development.”
He revealed that South Africa was racking above R1 billion through the game farming industry.
“”In this regard game farming the hunting industry eco-tourism and bio prospecting play a significant role. The hunting sector in South Africa generates well over R1 billion a year. Our wildlife also contributes immensely to GDP through the tourism sector anchored mainly in the main on nature based tourism. With the big five. This is a big job creator in our country.”
In his well-received opening remarks President Zuma was clear that Africa and South Africa in particular were advocating the sustainable use of its natural resources. President Zuma called upon CITES to ensure that its resolutions would be in sync with legislation and economic policies of member state for conservation body to remain relevant.
President Zuma reminded the CoP17 delegates that Africa’s “(continental) strategy agenda 2063 . . . recognises the important roles that natural resources play in Africa’s development and socio economic transformation.”
