03 Oct 2023

Community trusts affiliated to Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (NCONGO) have expressed displeasure at British reports suggesting that trophy hunting in Botswana was failing to provide meaningful financial benefits to local communities.

A recently published paper titled; Trophy Hunting in Botswana: A tale of declining wildlife, corruption, exploitation and impoverishment, is being used to lobby the British government to remove a special exemption to the importation of hunting trophies.

The paper claims that the profits from trophy hunting do not support livelihoods or contribute to wider conservation efforts.

NCONGO executive director, Mr Siyoka Simasiku refuted the report’s conclusion, labelling it as misleading and undermining the good efforts made by the country to improve the livelihoods of the community living in wildlife areas.

Mr Simasiku said the report was too simplistic and ignored the views of the communities that lived in wildlife areas.

He said by overlooking the views of affected communities, the authors of the report displayed a paternalistic attitude, which gave credence that there was something insidious behind the report. 

He argued that the report ignored the gains by communities, which had over the years undertook reinvestment of hunting revenues into photographic tourism activities citing trusts such as Sankoyo Tshwaragano Management Trust, Khwai Development Trust and Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust.

He said making a false claim that trophy hunting has no community benefits without directly engaging with the communities was a reflection of the authors’ arrogance that had no place in shared commitment to ensure the future conservation of the planet. ends