30 Mar 2021

Kgosi Gokgatlhang Moalosi of Sankoyo is optimistic that the review of management plans for NG 33 and 34 will strike a balance between tourism and agriculture, so that they equally benefit the communities.

He revealed in an interview recently that Sankoyo villagers were traditionally dependent on agriculture, but it was a pity that yearly, they reap nothing, because of elephants. 

This year, he said villagers ploughed in large numbers, but the elephants had raided their fields leaving them empty-handed.

Kgosi Moalosi said the villagers were pinning their hopes on the review of the management plan to address the human/wildlife conflict.

He explained that consultations on the review of the management plans, aimed at articulating the priority areas and ensuring their zones were used to the maximum for the benefit of the community, were ongoing.

Kgosi Moalosi noted that human/wildlife conflict was a burning issue, stating that villagers were frustrated that they could not enjoy the fruits of their labour despite government introducing initiatives for communities to venture into farming to feed themselves and the nation.

“We expect the plans to come up with interventions that will encourage peaceful sharing of space,” he added.

He said prior to the hunting ban, elephants destroyed their fields, but it was nothing compared to nowadays, where they clear the fields.

He said they were also pinning their hopes on the lifting of the ban to reduce the effects of wildlife on human settlements.

Meanwhile, it was reported in a recent executive committee meeting that the Director of Wildlife and National Parks had released the 2021 hunting quota. 

Kgosi Moalosi hailed the move, saying it would make a huge difference.  Ends