by Dr. Rolf D. Baldus and Andrew E. Cauldwell (2004)

 

This document presents issues relating to the Tanzanian tourist hunting industry, many of which are not well understood outside of the world of hunting. The lack of understanding is largely a result of the reluctance on the part of industry to reveal the facts and also due to a lack of critical data. Some parts of this document are therefore not based upon empirical facts, but are necessary because few reliable facts are available. This document further presents some opinions, some of which may offend some players in the industry. Hunting by its very nature attracts criticism, as it is a sport that stirs emotions, not to mention that it is highly lucrative. Any opinions, both for and against the industry are thus naturally provoking. Based on the facts available, the authors of this document offer informed opinions in an attempt to reveal a rational and holistic picture of the Tanzanian tourist hunting industry as it stands today.

 

This study is motivated by three necessities:

1. Hunting will be one of the major income earners for many Wildlife Management Areas as soon as the benefit sharing is approved by the Treasury as has been proposed by the Wildlife Division. Revenues generated from hunting must therefore be optimised to ensure that as much as possible can be accrued by the communities through the benefit sharing schemes.
2. In its first Public Expenditure Review for the Environmental Sector the Vice President’s Office demands the various sectors, including wildlife, to capture revenue potentials and real market value of environmental products and present more data.
3. The terms of reference for the Saadani Conservation and Development Project included, amongst others, to provide assistance in: (i) improving the administration of revenue in the Wildlife Division, in particular to critically analyse the flow of revenue and propose improvement; (ii) creating a database for wildlife utilisation. Much of this has already been achieved, and this study is the last output under this project, which has since come to an end.

 

It is intended that this document will be constructive towards promoting better practices and management of the tourist hunting industry thus making the industry better able to achieve the following objectives:

• To maintain biodiversity in the areas where tourist hunting is practised;
• To safeguard the sustainability of use and secure long-term revenues;
• Make an increased contribution to the Tanzanian Government, the industry itself and the economy;
• Provide increased revenue to local communities and thus make significant and tangible contributions to poverty reduction.

This document takes a clear stand on promoting the consumptive use of wildlife, as otherwise many areas would loose their wildlife.

 

This document has initially been based on a internal GTZ document prepared by Vernon Booth, and has further developed from an analysis and understanding of the tourist hunting industry, particularly within the Selous Game Reserve.