CONSERVATION INVOLVES COLLABORATION ACROSS MANY SECTORS

Who better to appreciate the breadth of conservation roles required in conservation than our own Area Warden of *NLAMU, Pumulo Nyambe, who knows the North Luangwa ecosystem by heart. We asked him how conservation has changed since he first started his career 18 years ago:

“Conservation needs collaborated effort from all sectors and stakeholders, unlike in the past where other stakeholders were considered unimportant and it was left to law enforcement only. In North Luangwa the administration team facilitate the procurement of patrol rations, fuel for patrol deployment, patrol equipment, salaries, incentives etc. Mechanics service vehicles for patrol operations and attend to patrol vehicle breakdowns. Community relations are very important in conservation – they are true partners in conservation. If the relations are good, community members are able to stop poaching and report illegal activities to the law enforcement officers. Through the good relations between the NLCP and the chiefs, we have introduced community sensitisation meetings in all the chiefdoms surrounding North Luangwa ecosystem whereby we have poachers surrendering illegal firearms.”

*NLAMU incorporates North Luangwa National Park, Mukungule, Munyamadzi & Musalangu West.