By Marc Nkwame ,
TANZANIA is expected to earn over US$ 314 million, nearly 800 billion in the next 20 years, in the form of revenues collected from hunting activities.
That came to light in Arusha during the official inauguration of Special Wildlife Investment Concession Areas Organisations Association of Tanzania (SOAT), where it was pointed out that members of the new association are now focusing on strategic investment.
Explaining the strategic investments Special Wildlife Investment Concession Areas (SWICA) the executive director Erasmus Tarimo said it targets to create a better working environment for the wildlife trekking firms in Tanzania.
According to Tarimo, within the 20-years’ tenure period their investments should amount to over US$ 278 million, equivalent to 696 billion in local currencies.
“That will be topped with an additional US$ 50 million that is to be disbursed into local community development programs across the country at the tune of 125 billion,” he said.
Tarimo added that the investments will be taking into consideration the sector’s core responsibility of conserving wildlife and other natural resources to make the industry both productive and sustainable.
On his part, the Chairperson of the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) board of directors, Major General (rtd) Hamis Semfuko, pointed out that through the Special Wildlife Investment Concession Areas (SWICA) the government recently reviewed and adjusted the tenure of ownership of hunting blocks.
SWICA is a special arrangement which allows trekking firms to provide trophy hunting and photographic tourism services including walking safaris and bird watching within one concession area, but mostly targeting high-end clients that want exclusive and luxurious safaris.
The seven concession areas under the new model include the Maswa Game Reserve North Selous Game Reserve LLI, Grumeti, Game Reserve Ikongoro Game Reserve, Mkungunero Game Reserve, Maswa Game Reserve Kimali and Maswa Game Reserve.
The Wildlife Conservation (tourist hunting) ownership of hunting blocks had been extended from a period of five years to 20 years commencing from the date to be declared by the minister in Government Gazette.
“In the past, hunting firms were compelled to apply for new block licenses after every five years, leaving them with little time for preparations and operations, but now with stretched period they can effectively invest and we thank the government for that,” said the one of the Directors of Mwiba Holdings, Nicolas Negri.
No comments :
Post a Comment