Tanzania govt must help to save the elephant

The Tanzanian government’s recent continued insistence on selling a stockpile of ivory against a 20-year moratorium proposed by seven countries (The EastAfrican, March 22-28) proves yet again, our government’s ambivalence towards conserving the country’s national heritage and wealth.

It is also deeply appalling and worrying to imagine that the EU and UK could ever consider a move to reject the proposal for a 20 year ban!

Considering Tanzania’s scale and magnitude of corruption evident at all levels of power, it is extremely difficult to disagree with Cites’ concerns that such a move would ultimately lead to large-scale poaching in the country.

The government’s argument that it wants to save storage and security costs resulting from its ivory stockpile makes no sense at all.

It is a deliberate ploy designed to create a conduit through which the illegal trade can thrive in international markets, and give leeway to some crooked leaders to make quick money for the upcoming general election.

The government should therefore desist from apportioning blame for its dwindling revenue collection or rising storage expenses on the innocent elephants.

It should rather, first and foremost, reduce government expenditure by cutting the frequent foreign visits by the top man at Magogoni! Long live the elephants.

John Kitoka
Dar es Salaam