Minister Kairuki holds talks wth Grumeti Reserves investor in Dar
DAR ES SALAAM: Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Angellah Kairuki yesterday held talks with Grumeti Reserves Limited investor, Paul Tudor Jones in Dar es Salaam, discussing various issues on cooperation, focusing on tourism and conservation.
Grumeti Reserves Limited is located in Serengeti District, Mara Region.
The Minister thanked the US investor for his company’s unwavering contributions in the tourism and conservation sectors, saying this inspired continued investment in other areas reserved for that purpose.
“ We thank you for your support in the anti- poaching crusade. However, we would like to request more help in the purchase of equipment which includes communication devices, motorcycles and chilli bombs for our Village Game Scouts, so they may be able to tackle the challenge of destructive wild animals ,’’ said Minister Kairuki.
Meanwhile, the minister said she is ready to cooperate with Grumeti Reserves in seeking solutions to humans/animal conflicts in the concession area.
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“ We are ready to team up with you in putting up a fence in your precincts. More importantly, you may offer awareness education and involve the villagers, so they may understand the mutual benefits of your operations,’’ the minister said.
She welcomed the US investor to venture in four areas named Special Wildlife Investment Concession Areas( SWICA) in the wildlife reserves of Selous, Rungwa, Inyonga and many others.
In another development, the minister has appealed to the Grumeti Reserves Limited investor to continue helping villagers in the areas surrounding his concession, by educating them on the benefits of bee-keeping, honey products and value addition , in order to support President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s emphasis on bee-keeping which aims to increase honey production and its value chain.
On his part, the Grumeti Reserves investor Paul Tudor Jones appealed for teamwork in the installation of a fence around the concession area, in order to solve the humans/wildlife conflicts.
Mr Jones also thanked and commended TANAPA and TAWA for continued cooperation.
The TAWA Commissioner of Conservation Mabula Misungwi urged the investor to engage all stakeholders , including wananchi, when preparing to install a fence around the concession area.
Attending the minister’s meeting were; Permanent Secretary in the Natural Resources and Tourism Ministry, Dr Hassan Abbas, senior ministry officials and other personnel from Grumeti Reserves.
Grumeti Reserves is an eco-tourism company which supports conservation and community development in the Serengeti ecosystem.
The company is owned by an American investor and runs several world class lodges.
