Africa's economic development will improve if its wildlife resources are looked after

Africa has long been regarded as a wild, primitive and poverty-stricken land. It is a haven for wildlife, partly because of the harsh conditions for humans. To many, its wildness means cheap resources. Indeed, as a whole, Africa's economy is still lagging behind many developed countries.

However, once you understand the situation in Africa, you will find that its people live a happy life by relying on the unique natural conditions and rich resources. The continent's current underdevelopment is largely due to its rigid protection of nature and limited development.

Africans, with their virtue of simplicity, cherish their plants and trees, mountains and water. Take the relatively economically advanced Kenya for example. Its area of 580,000 square kilometers is the size of China's Sichuan province, but it has established 28 national wildlife sanctuaries.

With 4,000 square km of prairie, the Masai Mara reserve is home to a variety of wildlife. Those native to the area used to boast of their lion-hunting skills, but they have now become protectors of wild animals.

The African continent, featuring nature reserves and national parks, is the habitat of many wildlife species. Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Senegal have turned more than 10 percent of their land into nature reserves, while Zambia has converted 30 percent of the country.

Some of the noteworthy reserves include Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Amboseli National Park, the Nairobi National Park, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and South Africa's Kruger National Park.

Wildlife resources are public property, and the protection of wild animals should not be the responsibility of only one government department. They need attention from all levels of society and different groups.

The government, non-governmental organization and individuals should all play their part. This year, China has continued to crack down on animal-product smuggling crimes.

In addition, the Chinese government continues to increase publicity so that more Chinese will recognize that excessive hunting will eventually lead to the extinction of rhinos and elephants.

Guangdong province was the main destination of illegal smuggling, transportation and sales of wildlife. In response, the Guangdong provincial government increased its focus on both ends of the smuggling channel. Green passages for wildlife protection cases were established so that the new mechanisms can facilitate the linkage between administrative enforcement and criminal law enforcement. Customs and border patrols were also strengthened.

Vietnam has become a large importer of smuggled animal organs. In 2011 alone, more than one ton of rhino horns was smuggled into the Vietnamese market.

It is precisely because of these ecological and economic complications that biodiversity protection in Africa becomes urgent. The smuggling is primarily driven by economic interests, therefore wildlife protection has to be carried out in line with poverty elimination.

African countries have developed a relatively complete criminal law for offences related to wildlife resources, and have increased the punishment and fines, but the effect is not ideal due to a lack of unity between wildlife protection regulations and criminal legislation. There is also the risk of environmental pollution, as well as the national park guards' need for better weapons and equipment.

As for funds, sustainable financing should mainly rely on self-financing, because wildlife is a renewable resource. Subsidies and technical assistance provided from outside Africa should be secondary options.

Many developed countries are currently dispatching animal protection groups to African countries. These groups include researchers, managers, academics, animal experts and media practitioners.

Their mission is to set up a proper localized management system and mechanism for effective wildlife conservation. In 2010, the China Wildlife Conservation Association sent research teams to Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia. These people are also responsible for implementing government aid. This approach is now prevalent in Africa, and has several merits.

First, it can effectively reduce corruption and avoid fund misuse. As these teams are generally dispatched by governments or international organizations, they have a certain degree of influence that can drive African governments to strengthen their level of protection, including the mobilization of police forces to cooperate with international teams to combat wildlife crimes.

Second, through permanent project investment, they can help African countries establish a protection mechanism, including training local personnel with a variety of animal protection and defense skills. This effective way to combat poachers, to a large extent, also can help with local employment.

Third, comprehensive media promotion can also raise more funds to support conservation projects.

The author is a professor at school of tourism and hospitality management of Shenyang Normal University. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

(China Daily 03/15/2013 page7)