ANIMAL, HUMAN CONFLICTS BLAMED ON ENCROACHMENT

CONTINUED encroach ment in animal habitats by communities for various reasons such as farming and settlements, is responsible for Animal/Human conflict in the country, says Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba.

Mr Sikumba told Parliament yesterday that the most affect ed areas are Chama North, Katombora and Mulobezi par liamentary constituencies.

He said his ministry has put in place measures to ad dress the issues of human-wild life conflicts and to address this matter comprehensively, Government is working with communities and other partners.

He also said the increase in the frequency of Human- Animal conflict could be attributed to multiple fac tors, among them increase in wildlife population due to better policing, sharing of wa ter sources between humans and animals especially in the Luangwa River and also search for forage by wildlife which re sults into destruction of crop fields and food storage barns.

Mr Sikumba said most areas are recording cases of attacks by elephants as they are mi grating from neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.

He said this year alone, more than 250 elephants were re ported to have crossed into Zambia in search of food and water.