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Tanzania has started auctioning hunting concessions located in some of the country's largest game reserves, as part of a new system designed to eliminate operational misconduct that had resulted in a halt. two years.
Some 82 hunting blocks were auctioned off through an online bidding process that replaces a paper bidding system that would have been compromised by representatives of l & # 39; State.
The auction will take place in stages over the next three years. The first part will take place from June 10 and will last seven days. It will have 26 blocks. The details of the buyer were not available at the time of the press.
According to Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (Tawa), the first concessions submitted by safari operators to the government in the last three years are currently vacant.
Tawa aims to generate $ 3.4 million a year.
At least 18 of the 26 proposed concessions were part of the Selous-Mikumi ecosystem in southern Tanzania, the others being located in Katavi-Rukwa, Ruaha-Rungwa and Malagarasi-Muyovosi.
Five of the areas are considered Class 1 (prime) concessions covering 5,688 of the 36,425 square kilometers of the 26 concessions.
Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism Hamisi Kigwangala told The EastAfrican that the online auction should promote more transparent ownership of hunting blocks and generate additional revenue for the government.
In the new system, hunting blocks should be rented for 10 years instead of five years for categories I and II and 15 years instead of five years for category III blocks. These proposals are still awaiting Parliament's approval.
A number of taxes levied on foreign safari operators have also been lifted to attract more fighters into the country, Kigwangala said without giving further details.
A 21-day safari would cost about $ 60,000.
A block hunting license costs $ 60,000 a year. The trophy fees for elephant and lion hunting are the most expensive – $ 15,000 and $ 12,000 respectively. Other wild animals allowed to be hunted in Tanzania are hippos, crocodiles and other species not listed as endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. .
Last month, Tawa launched a call to qualified companies, local and foreign, to participate in the auction. The winning bidders will be awarded up to five domains each, which must be a mix of the three available categories.
Mr. Kigwangala first proposed to put the hunting block allocation system online in October 2017. His initial intention was to revoke all awards granted in December 2016 due to concerns. growing suspicions of corruption and lack of transparency in the process, and to auction them within 60 days.
But after protests from several stakeholders, the minister agreed to extend the allowances until 2020 in order to allow time for the creation of a viable auction process.
The Association of Hunting Operators in Tanzania (Tahoa) and the Association of Professional Hunters of Tanzania have expressed dissatisfaction with online auctions. Tahoa President Michel Mantheakis said it would have a negative impact on business.
The timing of the first auction, in anticipation of the 2019 hunting season that begins July 1, prevents dealers from completing preparations such as camp construction, road cutting, staff recruitment and recognition in time for the start of the season. the International Safari Club Foundation (SCIF).
FISCI said concessionaires will still have to pay 40% of their quotas, as well as invest in local community development initiatives and anti-poaching programs.
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