This Strategy, embedded in the Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement, reflects the numerous international initiatives undertaken to combat the challenge of poaching, trade and killing of wildlife, particularly frequent in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region. The Strategy provides for: the establishment of a coordination Unit, within the Secretariat, whose primary role will be the natural resources law enforcement and monitoring illegal harvesting of the resources; investment in a robust education and communication program with a view to encourage community participation in national and cross- border efforts to fight poaching; strengthening the institutional capacity at national levels for efficient and effective enforcement of existing measures to eliminate Illegal harvesting and unregulated exploitation of wildlife in SADC Member States. On these bases, the vision of the Strategy is ensuring the sustainable use and conservation of wildlife species within the countries of SADC Region; its mission consists in facilitating coordination and cooperation among Member States in the active protection and effective enforcement of laws relating to biodiversity, natural resources, wildlife conservation and anti-poaching issues. Concerning the strategic programme areas and the related interventions, the Strategy focuses on: fight rhino and elephant poaching and creation of a database for the management of these endangered species; establishment of cross-border conservation areas, in order to promote the conservation of shared wildlife resources; enhancement of legislation and judicial processes; creation of a national wildlife crime prevention task force, with share and exchange of good practices; empowerment of local communities to proper management of wildlife and natural resources; involvement of local communities in protected areas management, with financial benefits and payment for ecosystem services (PES) arrangements; providing local communities with robust data and evidence demonstrating financial benefits of wildlife use.
2015-08-01