Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba says Government is committed to ensuring that all regions that have National Parks and Game Management areas benefit from various resources.

Mr Sikumba said currently, a third of the land mass of Zambia is under National Parks and Game Management areas, hence the need to put up measures that will enable people benefit, where these protected areas are located 

ZANIS reports that the Minister said this in a speech during the official opening of the 2024 Bangweulu Wetlands Annual General Meeting held at Northern Rock Hotel in Mpika today.

He said Zambia’s Tourism has the potential to bring a lot of economical benefits to the Nation as a whole.

Mr Sikumba said in order to manage the Nation Parks and Game Management areas, there is need for all stakeholders to have a common understanding and vision among other things.

The Minister said there is need to sustainably use the wildlife so that the future generations can benefit too.

“Our future generations must be able to see a shoebill especially here in Muchinga Province at the Bangweulu Wetlands and other animals,” he said.

Mr Sikumba says the Government is looking for opportunities on how to open up the northern circuit in order to boost tourism in the region, adding that the northern circuit has a lot of natural resources.

And African Parks Country Director, James Milanzi appreciated traditional leaders for the support they have continued offering to Bangweulu Wetlands Zone.

Mr Milanzi said traditional leaders have often intervened in various challenges that the Bangweulu wetlands encountered, thereby making it easy to resolve the challenges.

Meanwhile, Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Mathews Chilekwa says, it is important to safeguard and sustainably manage the ecosystem for current and future generations.

He noted that Bangweulu Wetlands provides critical habitat for diverse wildlife includig the iconic shoebill and serves an essential resource for fisheries, agriculture and tourism.