Poaching in Kwa-Zulu Natal continues to be a big issue with financial implications across the board. Poaching is an issue, which cuts across all racial lines thus, when attended to, it is important to be open-minded. This includes investing time in understanding the complexities, which emanate from the conservation ideology of preservation, but has excluded ordinary communities in wildlife conservation.
Since the dawn of democracy, there has been a strong drive for community participation in sustainable utilization of natural resources. This drive however places a huge responsibility on citizens to understand the intricacies of responsible citizenry when it comes to how they relate to wildlife.
Naturalists need to be open-minded in their approach to addressing sensitive environmental issues like poaching. Shock to a communities livelihood can often lead to people behaving unfavourably thus alternatives to environmental destruction is such a crucial intervention measure. There has been an escalation of poaching within the Thurlow side of Midmar Dam in Howick.Poaching tends to be most prevalent on weekends and on public holidays. A meeting was held to address this matter and included community members who are suspected to be involved in poaching.
As an outcome of the meeting, it was decided that a mini fishing competition would be organised for the Easter weekend. Fifteen community members took part, in a two-day event, which progressed without any glitches.
The competition served as an important opportunity to highlight poaching and water quality issues. Three Carp weighing 4kg, 2.3kg and 2kg were caught and prizes given to the three winners with a jubilation of all participants.
This is hoped to be a regular event particularly on holidays when poaching tends to be quite rife in the Kwa Zulu Natal Midlands.
Support for this cause would be highly appreciated.
For further details, please contact:
Mr. Samson Phakathi-082 805 4806 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or Mr. Zama Shange- 084 951 7118
News supplied.