How private sector can lead conservation charge in Africa
How private sector can lead conservation charge in Africa
Chris Diaz, The Standard
May 9, 2023
It’s no doubt Africa is home to some of the world's most endangered species
of animals. To protect these populations from further decline, there is
need to empower local communities through conservation-friendly development
and work with agencies and organizations to protect Africa’s natural
resources.
Whether it is humans poaching wildlife or wildlife attacking people and
their livestock, the problem cuts both ways. The needs of people and
wildlife are slowly, showing greater success through electrical fence
controls, and needs more education, training, funding, and strategic
support for the communities and authorities’ partnerships.
As human populations grow with the development of industry and
infrastructure, our programs balance multiple priorities to mitigate the
threats facing endangered species and historic wildlife habitats.
As per statistics documented, more than 62 per cent of Africa's rural
population relies on the continent's diverse natural ecosystems for their
food, water, energy, health, and secure livelihood needs. This biodiversity
provides an arsenal of genetic capital beneficial not just to the people
living in these ecosystems but to the world.
Measures to be Taken
Anti-poaching initiatives to stop poaching in Africa’s protected areas have
saved some species from further decline. However, there is much more that
needs to be done to destabilize the international trade that has decimated
populations over the last few decades, authorities need to combat wildlife
trafficking and strengthen the prosecution of wildlife crimes in strategic
wildlife crime hotspots.
As a matter of fact, it is essential to educate people in demand centres
where ivory is carved while rhino horn and pangolin scales are wanted as a
traditional medicine that the products are ineffective and in fact
destroying Africa’s valuable ecosystems. Laws to protect wildlife in most
countries have made the trade difficult and must continue to be toughened
with strong monitoring, security and technological mechanisms.
Communities need to work closely with authorities to make sure they get
direct benefits from conserving wildlife and protecting natural habitats.
Education outreach programs can also help locals to reduce human-wildlife
conflict; also projects that create a positive impact for the entire
community should be implemented.
Farming communities should be helped to explore sustainable agriculture,
growing their income and reducing pressure on living and natural resources.
Growing of sunflower and beekeeping is a good way to protect corridors of
wildlife and keep animals like elephants, not to enter human farming areas.
For instance, Bidco Africa and Kenya Wildlife Services have done some very
good pilot programs in certain areas in Kenya with the communities and buy
the sunflower as raw material giving revenue to communities.
African states should also launch awareness campaigns in countries
consuming poaching products informing them about the brutal truths behind
the global wildlife trade.
Kenyan governments burnt thousands of tonnes of ivory and rhino horns as a
statement and action to stop wildlife illegal trade.
Presidents and governments can help stop poaching and increase the
protection of the animals which attract tourism revenue as well as
protecting our forests.
Much applause goes to President William Ruto's initiative to increase
forest cover to grow billions of new trees with the private sector and
other stakeholders to reach a record forest cover of about 20 per cent and
over in the next few years.
Governments should also advocate for protection agencies to ban
international trade in wildlife parts like ivory and introduce stiffer
penalties for criminals.
Africa is Rich in Natural Wealth
With its tropical forests, vast rangelands, marine resources and iconic
wildlife, Africa is rich in natural wealth.
In my humble opinion, this ‘natural capital’ provides invaluable local and
global benefits, including food, energy and water — while also helping to
regulate our rapidly heating climate. However, private and public sectors
must partner and encourage programs to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts
programs.
Data shows that Africa has nearly 2,000 key biodiversity areas and supports
the world’s most diverse and abundant large mammal populations.
Financially, the most apparent value of Africa’s wildlife and wildlands
stems from wildlife-based tourism, which generates over 29 billion dollars
annually and employs 3.6 million people.
Tourism helps governments justify protecting wildlife habitats. It creates
revenue for state wildlife authorities, generates foreign exchange
earnings, diversifies and strengthens local economies, and contributes to
food security and poverty alleviation.
Tourism generates 40 per cent more full-time jobs per unit investment than
agriculture, has twice the job creation power of the automotive,
telecommunications and financial industries, and employs proportionally
more women than other sectors.
Global tourism accounts for more than one in every ten jobs. In Africa,
tourism is estimated to support over 24 million people with employment.
Tourism also drives 8.5 per cent of Africa's economy, and it is growing.
Globally, nature-based tourism is growing and it is anticipated that by
2030 the number of tourists in Africa is projected to grow from 62 million
to 134 million.
By supporting African nature-based and wildlife tourism, we not only make a
social impact by providing jobs and financial support but also provide
support for conservation initiatives.
Private Sector and Conservation
With increasing major voluntary corporate commitments, the private sector
is becoming ever more aware of the responsibility it shoulders for ensuring
its development projects and investments in conservation.
The private sector can play a role in managing protected areas, given their
need for sustainable management and the financial constraints in the public
sector. Potential areas of involvement are explored below.
For instance, in 2019, USAID invested 181.4 million dollars to help people,
enterprises, and governments in 45 countries improve forest and land
management, with 180.8 million dollars focused on tropical forests.
In 2016, Toyota provided approximately 1.2 million dollars to IUCN, with
the aim of broadening the scope of The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
This new knowledge provided a roadmap to guide conservation - concrete
action which could positively affect the livelihoods of hundreds of
millions of people worldwide.
The collaboration is also in line with Toyota’s ‘Environmental Challenge
2050,’ which aims to reduce the negative impacts associated with
automobiles to as close to zero as possible, whilst simultaneously making
positive impacts on society.
Private sector-conservation partnerships have arisen for good reasons. It
has become clear that the traditional means of wildlife conservation
protected areas are necessary but rarely sufficient to conserve
ecologically functional wildlands and to ensure the long-term persistence
of large mammals.
The future long-term protection of endangered species and best
environmental global practice will be through, partnerships between the
private sector and governments that will also increase and see better
impact programs.