Zambia is set to lift a 2013 ban on the hunting of wild lions and leopards in order to raise funds after it established that the population of the big cats in the country was higher than previously thought. According to
Zambia's Minister of Tourism and Arts,
Jean Kapata, leopard hunting resumes in the 2015/16 season (which begins in July 2015), while the lion huning will only resume in the 2016-17 hunting season.
Zambia in 2013 banned the hunting of lions and leopards, saying that the country is seeing more value in game viewing tourism than in trophy hunting and that big cat numbers in the country are too low to have a sustainable hunting industry.
According to a recent aerial survey done by the Ministry of Tourism and Arts,
Zambia is currently home to an established number of 4,000 lions and to more than 8,000 leopards.
Economic Sustainability:
ReplyDeleteThis is based on creating long-term revenue in communities supporting employment and development in rural areas. In doing so the positive impacts will help build strong economies. Tourism brings foreign exchange to a destination which is generated into the economy and also makes substantial contributions in a country. This results in expenditure changes causing a shift in the market shares impacting export earnings which results in increased GDP and employment. The host of a destination or area provides the required structure for developing tourism as an export industry. Tourists purchasing products and services benefit and the foreign exchange contributes to the multiplier effect of a country. This in turn creates employment, pays salaries, pay suppliers, and accelerates development in that area. Economic growth can add value to a host community and offer long-term benefits that improve the quality of life and the environment. Tourists who visit a destination and give contributions or donate money to projects such as building a clinic create stable economic growth to a destination and help fostering good international relationships boosting international relationships. Combating poverty, decreasing child mortality and empowering woman, increasing education are all indicators that are essential for an economy.
Trophy Hunting is a short term economic goal and will do nothing for Zambia's tourism economy and will end up destroying it. Having an education in tourism in both a diploma and a degree will help alleviate the issue they claim for tourism not generating enough revenue. Marketing is a real issue as no one does a good job of doing it as well money generated is pocked by management. Zimbabwe although shares the Victoria Falls is far more known than Zambia. Jean Kapata has a diploma in nursing and not sure how that qualifies her as tourism minister and where the issue of people in government promoting friends hurts the economy. This is where the problem is and why drastic measures such as trophy hunting come to play based on how things were done in the older days dating back to the 80's as this is what they think is tourism. The world has changed now and keeps changing and why education is key to keep up with current events and development. Killing animals is irreversible and can have negative effects on the Eco system. There are many ways of generating revenue and murdering animals is not one of them. I highly encourage the minister to go back to school and educate herself in hospitality management by getting a diploma or a degree in tourism management. This is a very bad move that can lead to extinction.
complete agreement!
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