Department of Wildlife and Conservation Division manager (Centre) Leonard Moyo says empowering communities surrounding Kasungu National Park will help to prevent poaching.

He said this on Saturday in Kasungu when Kasungu Wildlife Conservation for Community Development Association distributed 141 goats to 34 households in Traditional Authority Kaphaizi in the district.

Said Moyo: “Poverty forces people living near the park to invade the protected area for animals or trees for their livelihood.

“That is why we commend the association for the goat pass-on initiative.”

The goats to be distributed to beneficiaries

He said since the National Park partnered the association in 2019, there have been more conservation activities taking place such that poaching and cutting trees for charcoal have declined.

Senior Chief Lukwa, who is also Kasungu National Park patron, thanked the association for the project, saying it is the surest way to deal with wildlife crimes.

He said: “While we are talking of goats as an alternative source of meat that can counter illegal activities in the park, we must also note that these goats will help a lot to promote agriculture productivity through manure.

“We will have a healthy community as goats are an excellent source of protein.”

Kasungu Wildlife Conservation for Community Development Association chairperson Malidadi Langa asked beneficiaries to become agents of change and conserve the environment.

With funding from Bio-Pam, the association is implementing a two-year livelihood resilience project in T/As of Chisinga and Kaphaizi.

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