Prepared by;
ZINK PHEDNAND SAFARIS
Introduction.
Zink Phednand Safaris is a tour and travel company based in Kanungu Town Council, Kanungu District. We intend to work among others to protect, preserve the heritage of flora and fauna around conserved and preserved nature/places, and other protected species in Uganda.
Mission: To work with the community and marginalized people to protect and preserve natural resources in the surrounding environment and national parks.
Philosophy: Zink Phednand Safaris will work with the community and other willing partners to conserve nature and have endangered species therein preserved for Socio-economic purposes.
Vision: Sustainable conservation and protection of wildlife and nature through community sensitization and awareness.
Clarification: Zink Phednand Safaris intends to sensitize the general public on how good preservation of the environment is and to engage with poachers (Wild hunters) and their partners to avoid the practice. This will be through training and teaching them how best they can live in a healthy environment without encroaching and destroying it e.g deforestation, illegal hunting in preserved areas and equipping them with the skills for their self-reliance in the long run. We therefore seek your support and partnership.
To achieve this, we seek to run the following programs.
· Awareness creation and sensitization
· Combatants for Wildlife campaign.
· Rain water harvesting tanks:
· Tree planting
Need for this study/campaign.
As human inhabitants rise, so is the feasibility for conflict over living space and food with wildlife. National Parks like many other protected areas in Uganda is faced with poaching, illegal tree cutting and encroachment.
This will soon cause serious prolonged droughts which will give a lee way to famine and consequently loss of lives.
Secondly, as a result of droughts people’s revenue decline hence leading to health problems due to poor diet and low or no income at all which hinders development.
Thirdly, encroachment on wild life leads to loss of endangered species of animals, birds and plants and this hinders tourism sector and at the end revenue collection is too affected.
Background
Poaching has claimed the lives of many animals in and around the park over the years; most of which is attributed to lack of proper sensitization on how people can live in harmony with animals. Poachers have for the most part hunted animals for meat. “Each week, my group, would successfully hunt not less than 7 animals from the park,” Robert Kafuruka a Reformed Poacher narrates how he was involved in poaching before he was reformed.
This is the case for communities in Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rubuguri and Nteko parishes of Kanungu and Kisoro Districts that border the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a home to the critically endangered mountain gorillas.
Why conserving the environment, and conserving what?
Various natural resources and habitats have been encroached on and in the end destroyed. This has greatly affected out nature/environment, socio-economic transformation and many other sectors have got negatively affected.
Increasing population has also forced humans to encroach on natural resources and cut them in search for areas of expansion and cultivation for food/agriculture. This has left animal species displaced and has since affected tourist destinations and attractions and hence an accomplice to a decrease in the revenue.
Conflicting for an interest with in humans have geared poaching in conserved areas and many species are killed and some erased in conflict of money and food for survival.
Major types of conservation.
- Animal conservation.
This is the act of protecting eco systems and environments to protect the animals that live there.
- Environmental conservation.
This is the practice of us human saving the environment from loss of species, and destruction of eco system, primarily due to pollution and human activities. It mainly refers to the responsible management of the environment and its resources for present and future use.
Objectives
Zink Phednand Safaris has discovered the need as to why there should be serious conservation and preservation of nature and wild life in Kanungu.
Kanungu has been proved to have a favorable climate. This has been geared by availability of natural resources which need to be preserved and conserved for the benefit of all to wit; the population around, animal species, plant species and government to benefit via revenue collection.
Availability of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the conservation of the same have greatly improved the GDP of the Country. Climate change effects have not yet greatly affected the area and this has improved the socio-economic wellbeing of many people within.
Why Environmental Conservation?
- Importance to Agriculture.
Agriculture relies on the environment, and so we do rely on agriculture. A country’s wealth could be measured on its ability to feed its people even though not all nations can produce agriculturally.
Conserving the environment, with regards to agriculture, could mean preventing soil erosion, flooding and desertification, and could help its citizens have something to eat. Unsustainable farming techniques impact natural eco system and make farming impossible.
- Importance to fishing.
The various water bodies like the lakes, rivers, swamps are another source of food. Marine conservation is therefore vital in protecting human food supply, human activities and marine animals.
It saves more animals/fish from extinction and also feeds land animals which depend on water. Some of the challenges affecting water bodies include overfishing and pollution.
- Importance to climate.
Human activities have a direct impact on the climate and a subsequent effect on all life. Global warming linked to green House gas emission, which is an adverse effect on the climate results in droughts, floods, rising sea levels and cases of extreme heat and cold.
Climate change is a result of human activities and has been linked to excess rainfall, extreme weather and a change in regular weather patterns.
Conserving natural environments should be done to see these extreme out comes reversed, making the world a better place. For example; reforestation will bring about rainfall, which facilitate agriculture.
- Excellent water quality.
Conservation measures ensure there is excellent-quality water for all. This, in turn has social, environmental and economic benefits.
Economically, conservation of the environment boosts tourism, provides catch for fishing, decreases the cost of health care, and provides and environment for eco-tourism industry.
Environmentally, a conserved environment preserves the diversity of water dependent plants and animals and preserves the various natural services..
- It leads to healthy air quality.
Again, a conserved environment provides good-quality air which also has social, economic and environmental benefits.
Economically, it boosts tourism, decreases health care costs and decreases erosion of buildings and soils.
Socially, it decreases the prevalence of circulatory and lung-related diseases and also increases the quality of life for residents.
Environmentally, it preserves water quality and preserves aquatic eco systems and bio diversity.
- Preserves bio diversity.
A conserved environment preserves bio diversity which has equal benefits to the ones mentioned above. It preserves water and land based eco systems, preserves energy flow throughout the bio sphere, provides for natural services, preserves food webs, and boosts nature based tourism.
- It protects wildlife.
Environmental conservation protects wildlife and promotes biodiversity. Maintaining a healthy and functional eco system helps prevent the extinction of certain animal species.
If the environment is destroyed, some animals are forced out of their habitat, making it hard for them to survive elsewhere.
It could also bring about human and animal conflict, which ends disastrously for both species.
- It protects the Earth.
Environmental conservation definitely protects and safe guards the environment from certain factors that are wrecking the planet, such as climate change.
We need to reduce the amount of harm we are inflicting on the planet as it is contributing towards its destruction.
If we do not conserve the environment, nature has a ferocious was of fighting back, such as extreme weather, droughts and heavy rains which are negatively affecting our lives, our food, and homes. We have to do everything humanly possible to conserve the environment for the planet.
- It protects human health.
Environment conservation will in turn protect and improve human lives and health. If the environment is destroyed, new diseases emerge and species that could help produce medicines are destroyed.
Wild habitats are particularly important as they prevent emerging infectious diseases from jumping from animals to humans.
The Ebola our break, for example is an animal disease that is believed to have jumped to humans from the bats.
Research hypothesis/questions
- How effective is conservation and preservation of nature and wild life?
- How possible can it be?
- What does it take to conserve and preserve nature and wild life?
The context below has been ably studied and believed to answer the above questions and implementation of the same will lead to a success in the forth coming and existing challenges.
Methodology.
Several reliefs has been researched on by this Company and believed to be the best to implore in lieu to combat the negative effects of climate changes that are influenced by human activities
Methods of environmental & animal conservation.
- Forest Conservation.
Afforestation and reforestation help in conserving the forests, which are responsible for trapping absorbing a huge amount of carbon dioxide from reaching the atmosphere.
We should make it our life mission to plant trees and as much as possible, both on public and private lands and take care of them.
Additionally, legislation that protects the forests should be high lightened, so that we help conserve the environment.
- Soil Conservation.
Soil Conservation helps control erosions and improves the soil for agricultural purposes. We should plant more trees, protect pasture lands, and grow cover crops which regulate the blowing away of soils.
- Manage Waste.
Solid waste is produced by market areas, industries, homes, settlement areas and many other locations.
We should therefore manage our solid wastes and help the environment healthy. Municipalities should also conduct programs that manage solid wastes, designating litter bins all over the towns and collecting the waste regularly.
Additionally, we should teach ourselves how to manage our waste littering all over.
- Recycling.
We should learn to recycle everything we can as long as it is possible. Glass, paper, plastic and even metal are reusable and should not be thrown away after its original use.
About 90% of all plastic bottles do not reach recycling units and this is unfortunate. They are not bio degradable and about 500 billion of them are used every year. Reusing these bottles, containers, bags and more will help the environment conservation.
- Reducing our water consumption.
Clean, fresh and safe water is precious and not easily available. It is therefore very crucial to save as much water as possible and prevent water pollution, otherwise, it will be scarce in years to come.
- Control Pollution.
We should regularly maintain our cars and leave them at home as much as it is possible as they are a primary source of air pollution.
Using rechargeable batteries helps the environment as we will not be prone to throwing them away once they are empty.
Composting also avoids littering, and not only does it protect the environment, but also a reliable source of natural manure.
Avoid chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and insecticides that pollute the environment. We should control pollution in as much as it is possible to conserve the environment.
- Create Public awareness.
Making people aware of the consequences of our activities through the various means available such as social media, seminars and the traditional media.
There are various ways of safe guarding wildlife. Namely;
- Adoption.
From wild animals to wild places, there is an option for everyone. Get together with classmates to adopt an animal from wildlife conservation organizations.
- Volunteer.
If you don’t have money to give, donate your time. One can help organizations, zoos which have volunteer programs to clean up beached, rescue wild animals or teach visitors.
- Visit.
Zoos, aquariums, national parks and wild life refuges are all home to wild animals. Learn more about our planet’s experts.
- Donate.
When you visit your local accredited zoos and nature reserves, pay the recommended entry fee. Your donation help maintain these vital conservation areas.
- Speak up.
Share your passion for wild life conservation with your family members. Tell your friends how they can help you. Ask every one you know to pledge to stop wildlife trafficking.
- Buy Responsibly.
By not purchasing products made from endangered animals or their parts, you can stop wild life trafficking from being a profitable enterprise.
- Pitch in.
Trash is not just ugly, it is harmful. Birds and other animals can trap their heads in plastic rings. Fish can get stuck in nets, plus trash pollutes everyone’s natural resources. Put trash in its place.
- Recycle.
Find new ways to use things you already own. If you cannot reuse, recycle.
- Restore.
Habitat destruction is the main threat to 85%. Plant nature trees, restore wetlands or clean up beaches in your area.
- Join.
Whether you are into protecting natural habitats or preventing wildlife and trafficking.
Discussing environmental protection with your friends and family members so that everyone is made aware of environmental conservation and protection consequences if we do not take care of the environment.
PROMOTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL and ANIMAL CONSERVATION.
- Education; environmentalism needs a bigger part of the education system with effect from the elementary school. We should teach young generations how to take care of the environment as well as the consequences of not doing so, e.g. create an event which sees school going children planting trees.
- Simply talk about environmental and conservation in everyday life, blogs, books and articles. Talk about it even in seminars, churches, schools and other locations.
- Engage the community in the tree planting exercises as well as the events that see the community cleaned.
- Burn plastics; plastics are responsible for a dirtier environment. They ought to be banned and people should learn to recycle or reuse them or fail to use them at all.
- Create legislation that promotes Environmental Conservation. Government should come up with legislation that promotes environmental conservation. The same should be done on an international level and be enforced.
- Stop smoking; if you do not smoke, you lessen air pollution and improve your lung health.
- Change the way you clean the house; use sustainable made items or all-natural products that are not made with dangerous chemicals. It is better for your health as it does not pollute the air and is less harsh on personal items
Projects to carry out
- Awareness creation and sensitization:
To influence attitude change on conservation, poachers, illegal loggers and private forest owners need to be sensitized and trained on how to sustainably manage the forest resources.
“I was planning to cut down my forest and plant millet but after the training, I learnt that if I enrich my forest, I will get even more benefits in future” said Richard Magezi, the chairperson of the Bwindi Mukono Community Development Association. The Association comprises of 122 households, 13 of which are female headed.
Wewill further encourage these poachers and their children to enroll for studies in the skills of like Bricklaying, tailoring, hairdressing, tourism, catering, Mechanics and Driving, Metal fabrication for their self-reliance
“In these communities, awareness of the value of conservation is important, but it’s not enough to ensure protection of forest habitats because they still have needs to cater for,”said Rev Bob Mbabazi, Gorilla Trumpet Band Music Director.
‘‘There are many competing land use options and talking about conservation without providing generations looked at the forest as their main source of livelihood’’. Said Jeriminah Tukahirwa, the Director of Bwindi View Lodge and Campsite.
Zink Phednand Safaris in consultation with the beneficiaries and other stakeholders has worked to enhance capacity in management of sustainable alternative forest based enterprises.
(2) Combatants for Wildlife campaign
Combatants for Wildlife are community-led teams that will prevent human-wildlife conflicts. Combatants for Wildlife will be born and raised where they work in Bwindi; they understand the unique challenges faced by the local people. When Communities that live in neighborhood of the protected areas understand and appreciate the value of the natural resources around them, conservation of these habitats is more likely to be achieved.
On June 12th 2020, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) released a statement on the death of Rafiki, the lead and only silverback mountain Gorilla of Nkuringo group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Gorilla Doctors’ post-mortem examination on Rafiki revealed that the likely cause of death was the result of injury from a sharp device/object that penetrated his left upper abdomen and passed through his internal organs.
Solution:
Zink Phednand Safaris in collaboration with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and other key Authorities intends to mobilize groups of poachers and indigenous private forest owners to engage in community conservation and development activities. These efforts include but are not limited to strengthening the institutions’ organization capacity as well as technical capacities to develop fundable proposals that would address effective natural resource management and providing sustainable alternative livelihood options.
We therefore request your support as we further carry out the projects that will create lasting solutions to the ecosystem.
ZINK PHEDNAND SAFARIS- UGANDA
Tel: +256 782 209 054
Email us on: zinksafaris@gmail.com; visit us on: www.zinksafaris.com
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NUWABIINE PHEDNAND
DIRECTOR- ZINK PHEDNAND SAFARIS.
