Published by the government of Zimbabwe
14 July 2007
Harare — THE Community Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources, better known as Campfire, has trained nearly 300 game wardens to enhance anti-poaching in all Campfire communities.
Campfire areas are major targets for poachers owing to its community-based wildlife management system of conservation.
The concept puts communities who are, in most cases, unarmed and immobile at the forefront of efforts to protect wildlife.
Campfire director Mr Charles Jonga on Wednesday said his organisation had realised the need to boost the numbers of game wardens at village level, to ensure the maximum protection of both animals and communities.
"We need to be robust, especially in curbing poaching of elephants and protecting communities from vicious animals that might sneak out of the protected areas and attack villagers," Mr Jonga said.
A few weeks ago, lions were spotted in Guruve, instilling fear and insecurity among communities.
The Dande area is a stronghold of Campfire activities and Masoka and Kanyemba communities have made conservation their core business owing to the immense benefits they derive from wildlife management.
Mr Jonga said communities were aware that protecting wildlife against poachers is everyone's business and were playing a significant role in raising the alarm when something went wrong.
However, there is need to critically monitor activities in all Campfire areas owing to the presence of private safari operators within the same areas.
"We are serious about reinforcing our anti-poaching systems and we are taking on board safari operators as well.
"Poaching activities, though they are occurring at a very small scale, pose a threat to the image of our hunting sector, especially now when there are several organisations that would use anything to dent our image," he said.
Mr Jonga said issues pertaining to the protection and security of Campfire areas will come under scrutiny during their annual forum to be held this month.
"This year's theme is 'Economic Recovery Through Natural Resources'".
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