Botswana to Ban Hunting Over Wildlife Species Decline by BBC NEWS
Written on November 29, 2012
The hunting business in Botswana has brought it large amounts of money for the country, with high prices on animal hides and meats. People also enjoy to keep the animals as a source of acheivement, like a trohpy. However, because of the declining of wildlife in the area, the governmet is declaring a ban of hunting across the land on January 1, 2014. The future economic standings of the country are undecided, but many have hopes that tourism for the animals that will be more plentiful in the coming times will bring in more money than the selling of the hides. There are few people, however, who feel that hunting is a way of life for them and this law will take away their cultural identitiy.
I have mixed emotions when it comes to this topic of conversation. Part of me agrees with the government in saying that wildlife should most definately be protected and veiwed instead of hunted. I also somewhat agree with the worries of the village people. Hunting is a large part of their every day life; it is the means of food and clothing in some areas as well. If I were part of a household that revolved primarily around the materials of animals, I would definately not approve of this new ban. I am split between both sides of this conflict.
Hunting is such a large part of the culture of Botswana. As much of a third of the world's elephant population lives in Botswana, bringing in up to $30,000 dollars per animal. Many villages hunt animals for more than just hides: many use them for food and clothing as well. Bushmen, among the many other people engaged in this cultural activity, survive completely off of the animals they hunt. The diverse population of creatures in the area also attract many outsiders to the region. The culture of Botwana is largely centered around the wildlife in the area, as a way of hunting and tourism.
I have mixed emotions when it comes to this topic of conversation. Part of me agrees with the government in saying that wildlife should most definately be protected and veiwed instead of hunted. I also somewhat agree with the worries of the village people. Hunting is a large part of their every day life; it is the means of food and clothing in some areas as well. If I were part of a household that revolved primarily around the materials of animals, I would definately not approve of this new ban. I am split between both sides of this conflict.
Hunting is such a large part of the culture of Botswana. As much of a third of the world's elephant population lives in Botswana, bringing in up to $30,000 dollars per animal. Many villages hunt animals for more than just hides: many use them for food and clothing as well. Bushmen, among the many other people engaged in this cultural activity, survive completely off of the animals they hunt. The diverse population of creatures in the area also attract many outsiders to the region. The culture of Botwana is largely centered around the wildlife in the area, as a way of hunting and tourism.