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Taolo Lucas, MP for Bobonong Constituency, recently asked Environment and Tourism Minister Meshack Mthimkhulu a series of questions in Parliament, seeking updates on the long-promised review of wildlife damage compensation rates, efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, and potential changes to the hunting season in the Bobirwa area.
Lucas asked about the long-awaited review of compensation rates and the list of species that can be compensated, a process that has been pending since 2020. The Minister replied that the Ministry had conducted a review in 2019 and submitted a proposal to the Cabinet in 2020. However, due to the country’s tight fiscal outlook and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the proposal, which included a revised compensation budget of more than 60 million baht, was not approved.
Despite the setback, Mtimukulu assured Parliament that the Ministry is actively exploring innovative and sustainable solutions to HWC. A national strategy and action plan is currently being developed following the Human-Wildlife Conflict Pitso held in October 2023. In addition, new guidelines were issued in March 2024 to help farmers protect their livestock and crops from predators.
Lucas also requested an update to the current compensation rates for livestock killed by wildlife, including donkeys, goats, sheep and cattle. The minister did not specify compensation rates during the meeting but highlighted the challenge of obtaining additional compensation funds. The ministry continues to develop strategies for more effective management of human-wildlife conflict, including compensation for affected farmers.
In response to concerns about lion attacks in the Semoral region, the Minister reported that a total of 60 livestock, including cattle, goats, donkeys, horses and sheep, were killed by lions between May 2023 and May 2024. Compensation of P149,500.00 has been paid to the affected farmers.
The Minister also noted that significant progress has been made in mitigating the conflict. The lion responsible for the attack has been successfully expelled and no new reports of lion attacks have been received in the past month. The Ministry will continue to closely monitor the situation in close collaboration with other stakeholders.
In response to the ongoing problem of elephant devastation in the Gobojango, Semolale and Mabolwe watersheds, the Minister outlined the measures being taken by the Ministry. Wildlife officers are being deployed monthly to the Masego watershed to remove elephants from human settlements. In addition, the community is being supported to apply for Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) funding to erect electric fences around farms to protect crops from elephant attacks. Lucas also sought clarification on whether the hunting season in the Bobirwa area could be extended if there were good reasons. The Minister confirmed that while the hunting season normally runs from April to September, it has been extended nationwide until October 31, 2024. However, he made it clear that no further extensions would be granted.
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