By Innocent Chunga

Nkhotakota, April 20, Mana: District Commissioners and Traditional leaders from Mzimba, Kasungu, Ntchisi, and Nkhotakota have commended African Parks (AP) for outstanding management of the Nkhotakota wildlife reserve which has improved tourism activities in the district.

This was highlighted on Friday afternoon during a Joint Liason Committee meeting on the reserve’s management held at the Nkhotakota district council's chamber.

Joint Liason Committee Chairperson chief Inkosi Khosolo said he believes that with a cordial relationship with stakeholders from the districts that surround the reserve, African Parks will continue having great achievements in the management of the wildlife reserve boosting tourism activities.

"We have seen through the presentation of their report today, that they are indeed doing a great job, animals are everywhere even trees are growing back in the reserve hence we as communities will continue providing support in protecting the protected site," said Khosolo.

Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve Parks Manager David Nangoma, said an increase in the population of animals in the reserve has brought huge improvements in tourism activities.

He told the officials that the recent survey show that the population of animals especially elephants has risen to 800 from 500 in the last survey of 2017.

"The population of animals is high, when tourists both local and international are coming, they are coming to see wildlife, as you are aware the reserve is vast with small numbers of animals, on one sight it might appear like we do not have animals in the reserve but we do,” added Nangoma.

He further said they are establishing Navunde stopover just after the Bua bridge towards Dwangwa on the M5 road in the reserve to help tourists easily see animals around the area.

District Commissioner for Nkhotakota Ben Matengeni Tonho said the council would continue to support African Parks for them to continue having great achievements in the management of the wildlife reserve.

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that manages Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Liwonde National Park, and Majete Wildlife Reserve in the county.