RC orders immediate construction of fence to protect Serengeti villagers from rampaging elephants destroying crop farms

MARA : Authorities in Mara region have ordered immediate construction of a fence to prevent destructive wild animals, including elephants from invading crop farms in the villages located near Ikorongo- Grumeti Game Reserves and Ikona Wildlife Management Area in Western Serengeti. Mara Regional Commissioner (RC) Colonel Evans Mtambi issued the directive during public rallies he held in the villages early this week. The RC wanted the work to begin in all villages that have agreed on where the much awaited fence will stand, without further delays. “We all agree that there are effects of wild animals, and that the fence is going to be helpful. So, construction of the fence should begin immediately “, the regional chief instructed. However, Colonel Mtambi said a few villagers that are yet to agree on where the fence will pass, must sit and resolve the matter, promising to cooperate with them in making a good decision. On their part, the villagers said they want the fence project to kick off as soon as possible so they can be rescued from the elephants and lions which have been causing massive destructions on crop farms and are a threat to human lives. “More than six people have been attacked and injured by lions this year alone, and elephants have continued to destroy our crop farms “, one of the villagers at Makundusi complained. The villagers wondered why construction of the fence was taking too long to start, despite the decision and green light given by the village council meetings and approval by councilors of Serengeti District Council several years ago. ALSO READ: Tanzania set strategies to protect homes, farms against wild animals pests “What we need is a fence as soon as possible, not delays,” another resident of Makundusi village said. Grumeti Fund, a non- profit organization that supports conservation and local development in the villages is ready to support construction of the fence project, in an effort to reduce the increasing human/ wildlife conflicts in the area. Ikorongo- Grumeti Game Reserves and Ikona WMA form integral part of the Serengeti ecosystem. Besides Makundusi, the fence is also expected to protect hundreds of farmers in other villages such as Park Nyigoti, Bokore, Natta-Mbiso and Nyichoka. Residents of the villages rely on subsistence farming as their major source of livelihood despite the current challenge of rampaging elephants. The post RC orders immediate construction of fence to protect Serengeti villagers from rampaging elephants destroying crop farms first appeared on Daily News . The post RC orders immediate construction of fence to protect Serengeti villagers from rampaging elephants destroying crop farms appeared first on Daily News .