Loliondo Game Controlled Area is famous for both its tourism and hunting opportunities. But experts now claim that the Area is facing an ecological disaster due to the increasing human population and the resultant destruction of wildlife habitat.
The once serene, undulating land hosted all manner of wild animals. But now the mushrooming human settlements and the resultant increase of domestic livestock compete for resources with the few wild beasts that remain.
The alarming ecological decline also extends to the adjacent Serengeti National Park. It is compounded by the impact of the changing climate ─ water sources are drying up and both flora and fauna are struggling to survive in the semi-arid terrain.
Ecological experts say that the situation is alarming. They are particularly concerned about the destruction of wildlife habitats, such as breeding grounds and the wildlife movement corridors which connect Loliondo GCA to other protected areas.
A recently-released report, accessed by The Arusha Times, states: "As a result of environmental destruction and human intrusion some animal species like cats, lions and buffalos [have] disappeared and/or [are] very difficult to find. This has adversely impacted on the hunting activities, especially the quality of trophies and their availability."
A giraffe strolling in Loliondo Game Controlled Area in Ngorongoro district,
Arusha region. Increased human activities and livestock rearing is putting pressure
on the fragile wildlife habitats, according to a recently released report.
PHOTO BY ARUSHA TIMES CORRESPONDENT
The 16-page report, 'Loliondo GCA Is Diminishing,’
issued by Ortello Business Corporation, or OBC, in early November, was
addressed to Professor Jumanne Maghembe, Minister for Natural
Resources and Tourism. OBC is licensed to conduct trophy hunting in the
area.
The report did not focus on the on-going conflicts between the hunters and local pastoralists, but on the ecological aspects of the game-controlled area. The Wildlife Conservation Act 1974 offered protection to wildlife, but allowed some human activities such as settlements and grazing due to increased human and livestock population. However, when the Act was revised in 2009, livestock grazing and human presence were restricted in the GCA.
OBC, originating from the United Arab Emirates, proposed some interventions including the prohibition of the expansion of agriculture in the area, and "intentional arrangements" to allow both hunting and grazing areas.
Loliondo GCA is 6,188 square kilometres (some documents put the figure at 4,000km square) of Ngorongoro district, Arusha region. It was established by Government Notice No. 269 of 1974 purely for the protection of wildlife ─ although some officials say it actually attained its status in 1958.
But like other Game Controlled Areas, its creation did not eradicate existing villages. The Wildlife Conservation Act 1974 did not restrict livestock grazing and human presence in the game controlled area ─ as is now the case.
The report warns that, with the on-going human activities and diminishing ecological resources, trophy hunting would not be possible in the near future "especially for some animal species like lions, cats and buffalos which have disappeared because of human intrusion".
There are over 60,000 people living in the division, and their growing livestock herds are encroaching on the fringes of the Serengeti National Park ─ where no human activity is allowed. The population of the entire district is currently estimated at 200,000 and this is projected to double in the next 20 years.
The area, leased to OBC for trophy hunting since 1992, includes the entire Loliondo division, and Loliondo township and other settlements. Experts fear more environmental degradation in the near future.
OBC’s hunting concession has, however, led to a long standing dispute with the traditional livestock herders in the area. The pastoralists have called for the eviction of OBC from the area, arguing they were not consulted before the company was granted their land. They also complain of harassment.
An OBC official, who requested anonymity, declined to talk about the conflict which has featured in newspaper headlines and TV clips in the recent past.
However, he insisted the oft-disputed block was becoming increasingly "unsuitable for hunting activities" due to the encroachment of animal habitats.
The report did not focus on the on-going conflicts between the hunters and local pastoralists, but on the ecological aspects of the game-controlled area. The Wildlife Conservation Act 1974 offered protection to wildlife, but allowed some human activities such as settlements and grazing due to increased human and livestock population. However, when the Act was revised in 2009, livestock grazing and human presence were restricted in the GCA.
OBC, originating from the United Arab Emirates, proposed some interventions including the prohibition of the expansion of agriculture in the area, and "intentional arrangements" to allow both hunting and grazing areas.
Loliondo GCA is 6,188 square kilometres (some documents put the figure at 4,000km square) of Ngorongoro district, Arusha region. It was established by Government Notice No. 269 of 1974 purely for the protection of wildlife ─ although some officials say it actually attained its status in 1958.
But like other Game Controlled Areas, its creation did not eradicate existing villages. The Wildlife Conservation Act 1974 did not restrict livestock grazing and human presence in the game controlled area ─ as is now the case.
The report warns that, with the on-going human activities and diminishing ecological resources, trophy hunting would not be possible in the near future "especially for some animal species like lions, cats and buffalos which have disappeared because of human intrusion".
There are over 60,000 people living in the division, and their growing livestock herds are encroaching on the fringes of the Serengeti National Park ─ where no human activity is allowed. The population of the entire district is currently estimated at 200,000 and this is projected to double in the next 20 years.
The area, leased to OBC for trophy hunting since 1992, includes the entire Loliondo division, and Loliondo township and other settlements. Experts fear more environmental degradation in the near future.
OBC’s hunting concession has, however, led to a long standing dispute with the traditional livestock herders in the area. The pastoralists have called for the eviction of OBC from the area, arguing they were not consulted before the company was granted their land. They also complain of harassment.
An OBC official, who requested anonymity, declined to talk about the conflict which has featured in newspaper headlines and TV clips in the recent past.
However, he insisted the oft-disputed block was becoming increasingly "unsuitable for hunting activities" due to the encroachment of animal habitats.
The declining ecological resources have also been attributed to
unregulated expansion of agriculture and uncontrolled grazing ─ mainly
due to a reported influx of livestock from Kenya. One official also
said that intentional obstruction of wildlife movement between the GCA
and the Serengeti National Park was an issue.
An ecological expert with the Ngorongoro District Council, who
requested anonymity, said the situation was worrying because 70 per
cent of rivers and streams draining through the Serengeti National Park
originate from the Loliondo highlands and forests. Several of them
have dried up in recent times.
He said he was much concerned by both the diminishing ecological
resources as well as economic decline as the area may not attract
tourists or trophy hunters in the future as the wildlife come under
increasing pressure.
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