Translated from the French by an automated online translation service, so please excuse the roughness. See link for the French original.
See link for photos.
The “National Conference on the Human-Elephant Conflict” opened on 15 December in Libreville. On this occasion, the Prime Minister hoped that this meeting would lead to realistic, sustainable and adapted recommendations, with a view to limiting the impact of this conflict. “The government will scrutinize them and implement them with determination,” said Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda.
Agree on the national strategy and action plan to improve the food security of populations while preserving wildlife. This is the objective of the “National Conference on the Human-Elephant Conflict” which was launched on 15 December in Libreville.
Opening the proceedings, the Prime Minister returned to the interest of this 72-hour meeting, coming after the provincial consultations on the human-elephant conflict initiated by the Ministry of Water and Forests last July.
“The national conference on the human-elephant conflict was eagerly awaited by the Head of State and the populations, especially by those who face this reality. These meetings must be an opportunity to move forward together in the same direction, that is, the search for lasting solutions to this worrying issue. This consultation must also be a moment of affirmation of the unity and national cohesion of all the children of the Republic in the face of a vital subject (…) That is why I ask to dialogue, to consult, to share, without taboos and without passion. I also invite you to direct your thoughts towards future action by providing consensual responses to a phenomenon whose magnitude and recurrence worry every day,” said Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda.
11,959 Written Complaints
According to the government, human-elephant conflicts are a technical, social and economic problem, as they undermine the physical and food security as well as the social peace of rural populations in a large part of the national territory.
Indeed, from 2016 to date, the Ministry of Water and Forests has registered 11,959 written and many other oral complaints, relating to the destruction of food crops, following the action of elephants. These national meetings are thus a reason for hope for populations, in the sense that they must make it possible to find ways and means to limit the impacts of the human-elephant conflict.
“For three days, you are called upon to examine the issue in depth, propose a strategy, define an action plan and a roadmap in the short, medium and long term. It is also up to you to consider relevant and innovative technical solutions to mitigate this conflict and its economic, social and human impacts. The government knows how to count on your patriotic spirit and your high sense of responsibility to restore during its meetings a friendly and fraternal dialogue. The government will be very attentive to the recommendations that will come out of this conclave, recommendations that we want to be realistic, sustainable and adapted. The government will scrutinize them and implement them with determination,” said Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda.
“Elephants are the Gardeners of Our Forest”
The meeting will bring together 120 face-to-face people, who will be divided into four committees.
People with an internet connection will be able to follow the event live on Zoom.
Committee 1 will discuss the issue of administrative beatings, when to allow them and how to carry them out.
The second will focus on the mechanisms for compensation and care for victim populations. The third will assess the mitigation measures that exist, as well as the sources of funding.
And, finally, the fourth committee will review and validate the draft national strategy, as well as the action plan and the roadmap.
“Elephants are the gardeners of our forest. Through their droppings, they plant trees and distribute mineral salts, thus increasing the productivity of the land and carbon stocks. They are the foundation of an ecotourism industry on our continent,” said the Minister of Water and Forests.
“Now is the time for action. The human-elephant conflict is a national problem. The multisectoral approach advocated requires close collaboration and good coordination of all administrations at central and decentralised level. This approach also involves better integration of rural communities, civil society, the private sector and technical and financial partners,” Concluded Lee White.