Government targets steady revenue from hunting

DAR ES SALAAM: EFFORTS to improve wildlife conservation are starting to yield results, with the government projecting an annual revenue of 968,000 US dollar (about 2.5bn/-) from hunting concession fees.

The revenue stream is projected to remain steady for the next 20 years, contributing significantly to the country’s economy and wildlife conservation efforts.

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Pindi Chana said on Friday during the issuance of certificates of allocation of hunting blocks held in Dar es Salaam that the funds will come from licensing fees paid by hunting operator companies.

“This steady revenue stream, will play a crucial role in supporting the country’s economy and wildlife conservation efforts.

“It justifies the significance of hunting industry to the economy of the country as it also contributes direct benefits to the community through employment and community development,” said Dr Chana.

The government through the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) issued certificates of allocation to four hunting operators as it aims to boost the wildlife sector.

The four companies that received the operating licences include K&F Wild Expedition Ltd for Kilwa Open Area Nakiu, Michel Mantheakis Safaris Ltd for Muhesi game reserve (GR), Out of Africa Ltd for Lwafi Nkamba and Royal Conservation Ltd for Pololeti GR.

The issued certificates will allow the hunting companies to operate in designated hunting blocks, following strict guidelines to ensure ethical and regulated hunting.

This move is part of the country’s broader strategy to balance conservation and economic benefits, ensuring that the wildlife sector remains sustainable and contributes to national development.

At the event, the Wildlife authority also issued a certificate for Selous MT2 for Neon Investment Ltd under Special Wildlife Investment Concession Areas (SWICA).

The signing of contract for Selous MT2 under SWICA, marks the ninth contract out of thirteen blocks signed under the SWICA business model equivalent to 70 per cent occupancy of all SWICA blocks.

Dr Chana added that the government is committed to continue creating and maintaining smooth environment for their business without affecting values of conservation and prosperity of our people.

“As we move towards fulfilling this commitment, it is our honest reminder that we are all obliged to ensure that natural resources in those concession areas are sustainably utilised in line with adherence to the country’s laws and regulations,”she added.

TAWA’s Chairperson for hunting blocks allocation committee Prof Japhary Kideghesho said since TAWA became operational in 2016, its management has been working rigorously to ensure that it realises its mission and vision.

In the course of enhancing its sustainability, TAWA struggled to innovate strategies for its survival through enhancement of SWICA, allocation of hunting blocks through electronic auctioning system and providing investment opportunities in TAWA managed areas.

The initiatives have shown positive progress in terms of financial returns by 30 per cent increase in revenue collection annually.

“We have been using different marketing strategies to attract investors from worldwide including the use of electronic auctioning of hunting blocks.

“And for the first time we have managed to secure Chinese investors (K&F Wild Expeditions Ltd) into our hunting industry to invest in one of the hunting blocks located in Kilwa District,” he said.

Furthermore,the TAWA’s Acting Conservation Commissioner Mr Mlage Yussuf Kabange said in an effort to attract more investors and tourists, the wildlife authority will always keep on striving to create enabling environment for investment.

Currently, TAWA has constructed 453.2 kilometres of road networks of gravel standard in strategic areas, equivalent to 40 per cent of the set target of reaching 1,127kilometres by 2026.

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Furthermore, we have constructed 33 tourism facilities including Bandas, camps and picnic sites which is 117 per cent of the targeted 28 Tourism facilities. Likewise, we are now at 23 per cent of the target to construct 22 revenue collection centres as projected by 2026.

“These tourism infrastructures aimed to create good environment to improve accessibility to our tourism attractions and boosting tourism visitation and revenue to the government,” he said.