FQM, DNPW PARTNERSHIP CONTINUES TO FLOURISH
....as the mining company restocks West Lunga National Park with more animals
APART from its core business in mining, FQM Trident Ltd has been running various corporate social investment (CSI) projects aimed at supplementing government efforts in various sectors.
One of the projects at heart of the mining firm is wildlife conservation under the West Lunga Conservation Project ( WLCP) which is a partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW).
Through Trident Foundation Limited ( TFL), FQM Trident Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the DNPW in 2015 to restore the park.
The MoU is aimed at reviving the delicate ecosystem in the park to enable a complete and functioning ecosystem to support the full range of African mammal species that have become extinct.
With the MoU in place, the mining company has since invested in the project through the recruitment, training, equipping and paying village scouts, infrastructure development and implementing conservation related livelihood programmes within communities.
This has resulted into improved access and networking in the game management areas thereby promoting tourism and resources not only in the operational areas but the province as a whole.
In line with this, FQM Trident through its Wildlife Management Team at TFL recently commenced an animal capture operation from its sanctuary for purposes of restocking of the West Lunga National Park’
The restocking exercise involved capturing of 40 Impalas, three male Elands and six Sable antelopes, some of
which were restocked in the Ntambu Community Game Ranch. TFL Wildlife and Forest Conservation Lead Dr David Squarre said the restocking was as a result of the agreement between the two parties.
Dr Squarre said the partnership is based on implementing law enforcement programs as well as livelihood support to local communities, conservation awareness within the communities and
the restoration of the park itself. He said the project is a unique initiative in that apart from mining activities, the company has taken a deliberate initiative of supporting wildlife conservation.
“Which at the end of the day optimises the social economic benefits and also enhancing the ecological ecosystem of the. So this is a clear demonstration and the first of its kind where two players the mining company and the
wildlife are on the same platform by supporting each other and maximising the benefits for each of the players,” explained Dr Squarre.
He said the initiative is also part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from the mining company especially that its operations are close to the park.
He said the initiative is also aimed at making the community aware of the importance of conserving wildlife as it is one of the main cultures of the local people.
“So it is not just bringing the animals into the park but also enhancing the cultural livelihood of the people around this area,” he said.
Dr. Squarre said in the long term, FQM would wish to create a wildlife economy within the local community where both local communities, the tourists and also the government can benefit.
He said FQM looks forward to a future when the park becomes sustainable, fully supported by the community, thereby fulfilling the true meaning of the Public Private Partnership (PPP).
“FQM believes that the long term strategy with the DNPW and local communities can restore West Lunga with self-sustaining animal populations which would be attractive to Zambian and international tourism,” added Dr Squarre.
Michael Phiri, a Wildlife Police Officer stationed at Jivundu Wildlife Camp who was at hand to witness the releasing of animals into the park thanked FQM for the restoration program as animals were depleted. He said previously, the park had a lot of animals but got depleted by illegal poachers.
“Thanks to FQM Trident through the TFL for coming up with this initiative of restocking the park, it is a very progressive initiative,” said Mr Phiri.
He added that the onus is now upon the officers to safeguard and protect the animals from poachers so that they can multiply.
Mr. Phiri said because wildlife is a viable source of income for the country, his team will ensure that the species are well protected.