WILDLIFE INSIGHT - DNPW orients newly recruited related enforcement personnel in Mangochi
Pprimary objective was to equip the newly recruited officers with comprehensive insights into the operations of Lake Malawi National Park mandates and regulations.
CAPE MACLEAR, Mangochi (Planet Defence) - Lake Malawi National Park organized a pivotal gathering aimed at enhancing collaboration among various stakeholders to advance conservation efforts in Cape Maclear, Mangochi district, on Thursday writes Maureen Kawerama.
Generously funded by the African World Heritage Fund, the event served as a platform to orient new officers based at Monkey-Bay Police Station and Monkey-Bay Magistrate Court on matters concerning the management of Lake Malawi National Park, including its statutes and policies.
According to McPhillip Mwithokona, Divisional Manager for the Upper Shire at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, the primary objective of the gathering was to equip the newly recruited officers with comprehensive insights into the operations of Lake Malawi National Park. This was aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the park's mandates and regulations.
"Having new officers at both our police station office and the court, we deemed it necessary to orient them so that they are better positioned to address pertinent issues and handle cases effectively, thus supporting us in the conservation of resources in Lake Malawi National Park," said Mwithokona.
He emphasized the critical role of stakeholders in upholding the park's conservation efforts, highlighting the commitment to fostering synergy and collaboration among all stakeholders to effectively address challenges facing Lake Malawi National Park and ensure its sustainable management for future generations.
In his remarks, First Grade Magistrate Lawrence Mangani of Monkey-Bay Magistrate Court expressed optimism about the prospects of enhanced collaboration and reiterated his commitment to the conservation of Lake Malawi National Park's unparalleled biodiversity and cultural significance as a world heritage site.
"As courts, we will ensure that we impose sentences that are punitive or deterrent to people committing offenses that contravene the National Parks and Wildlife Act, in order to discourage such malpractices," Mangani remarked.
During the meeting, participants engaged in constructive dialogues aimed at identifying and addressing challenges confronting Lake Malawi National Park. Discussions ranged from illegal fishing activities to encroachment, with participants endeavoring to devise pragmatic solutions to safeguard the park's ecological integrity and preserve its natural heritage.
The event underscored the importance of proactive engagement and collective action in safeguarding UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Lake Malawi National Park.