MPs want compensation for families killed by animals from parks

Jul 21, 2013

Members of Parliament representing people living near national parks have asked Government to compensate families of people killed by animals that escape from parks, protected areas and national forests.

By John Odyek    

Members of Parliament representing people living near national parks have asked Government to compensate families of people  killed by animals that escape from parks, protected areas and national forests.

While presenting a petition to Maria Mutagamba, minister of tourism, wildlife and heritage, on Friday  Hatwib Katoto (Rubirizi) and Dr Chris Baryomunsi (Kinkizi East) said families near national parks live in constant fear of being killed by wild animals or losing their loved ones.

The MPs proposed that in case of death, Government should pay for burial expenses and also provide school fees for bereaved  children. “We should have a people park approach. When people are killed by animals they should be compensated. People feel animals are better provided for than them. When a mountain gorilla dies more attention is paid to it than when an animal kills a person,” Katoto said at function which took place at the minister’s office at Farmers House, Kampala over the weekend .

Baryomunsi said when people try to chase off rampaging elephants and hippopotamuses they get angry, kill people and their domestic animals; destroy properties and crops in the ensuing fight. He also warned that the bad roads leading to the parks could affect tourism.

Jovah Kamateeka (Mitooma) said when animals destroy crops of communities living near parks and national forests they should be compensated. Kamateeka said some of the parks lack protective barriers which make it easy for animals to attack people and destroy crops.

The meeting was attended by officials from the Uganda Debt Network who recently concluded a study on  the plight of people living near national parks and residents residing near Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Julius Kapwepwe, director of programmes Uganda Debt Network, said there is need for clear policy guidelines for revenue sharing between Uganda Wildlife Authority and communities living near parks. He said there should be accountability for the funds and public display of projects used by the funds.

Kapwepwe said the Batwa community feels marginalized. He said the Batwa were hunter gatherers who live in the parks but this lifestyle is being changed because of regulations that bar them from living in the national parks. “They need affirmative action in terms of health service, education, land and shelter,” he said.

Mutagamba promised that the Uganda Wildlife Act 2000 would be amended to provide for compensation for damages caused by wildlife. She said government was considering putting electrical fences, chain links around the parks to protect communities.
 

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