TOURISM and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo has said there will be no consumptive safari activities in the aborted 19 game management areas for the year 2013.

Ms Masebo said the move was aimed at giving Government enough time to deal with consultations and legislative issues affecting the safari industry.

"This move is aimed at giving enough time to deal with more consultations and legislative issues affecting the safari industry," she said.

She said hunting would only be permitted on private game ranches provided that the farms were fenced, had a valid permit to keep wild animals in captivity, certificate of ownership of protected animals and a valid membership of the wildlife producers association of Zambia.

Ms Masebo said the ban on hunting big cats like lions and leopards was indefinite and was with immediate effect.

She said government would engage the views of various stakeholders and professional bodies in the development and conservation management of the wildlife sector.

"Government is prepared to encourage strategic partnership with private game developers to enhance the sustainable development of the industry," she said.

She said Government would mobilise human, material and financial resources to mitigate possible degradation through poaching.

Ms Masebo said Government would rehabilitate under stocked or depleted GMAs to make the industry more viable.