CHIEF FUMES

PETER SICHALI writes RELOCATION of animals from North Luangwa national Park without engagement of local leadership has angered Chief Mukungule of Mpika district. And Tourism and Arts Minister Ronald Chitotela has directed the department of National Parks and Wildlife to always involve local leadership when relocating animals. Chief Mukungule said the Department of Wild life and National Parks should always engage the local traditional leadership and community whenever there was an exercise to relocate some animals. Chief Mukungule said the trend of moving animals from North Luangwa national Park without the consent of the community was creating unnecessary speculations. “I am not happy that Government has been moving animals from North Luangwa national Park without the community knowing,” Chief Mukungule said. He said he had been receiving reports that animals are being moved from the national parks without the relevant local leadership’s consent. “As a traditional leaders, I receive a lot of concerns from my subjects whenever animals are being moved from the national park and I am usually short of answers because the department does not inform us of its activities,” the traditional leader said Meanwhile, Tourism and Arts Minister Ronald Chitotela has directed the department of National Parks and Wildlife to always involve communities whenever there is relocation of animals. Mr Chitotela said relocation of animals was a necessary Programme but it was important for the department to inform local leadership. The Sun