How National Park Service, ANI Partnership Saved Gumiti Gashaka National Park

 

• Park Now Safe For Tourists, Host Communities Benefits

 

A strategic partnership between the National Park Service and African Nature Investors (ANI) has breathed new life into the Gashaka Gumti National Park, once a shadow of its former self due to rampant insecurity and illegal human activities.

The park, notorious for banditry, illegal mining, and poaching, has undergone a remarkable transformation since ANI's involvement in 2017.

The conservator of the park, Joseph Assam Ntui, attributed the park's improved safety and operational efficiency to the collaboration with ANI. He highlighted the organization's crucial role in providing financial and logistical support, which has been instrumental in combating the challenges posed by bandits, illegal miners, and other criminal elements that once plagued the park.

 "Before ANI, our rangers were ill-equipped to tackle the challenges posed by armed bandits and poachers," said Joseph Assam Ntui, the park's conservator. "But with their support, we've been able to turn the tide."

"With this it has enhanced and improved operations, to attract more tourists coming to the park.

 

The CP, lauded ANI for the provision of chopper Helicopter to patrol hard to reach areas which has ease operations in protecting wildlife and natural habitats.

 

Assam Ntui debunked the rumors that the Ranges are involved in the activities of illegal mining in the park.

 

"You can witness helicopter dropping during quick responds and the improvements of other facilities has attracted more tourists to the Gumti National Park the herders and other illegal activities in the park have been curtailed.

 

"The hitherto illegal mining activities have been stopped as several arrests had been made and handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution," he said.

 

Several residents of host communities around the park confirmed that they have seen  remarkable reduction in armed banditry, kidnapping, and illegal activities,  said ANI'S partnership with the National Park Service, (NPS), necessitated the reduction.

 

The park is twice the size of Lagos State, local communities who attributed the significant decrease in crimes in and around the park, stressed how the partnership has led to the training and empowerment of park rangers which according to them, have effectively curbs criminal activities in the area.

 

A community leader, Yusuf Sadiq, who spoke about the transformation, affirmed that, "the criminals who used to make life difficult for us have all been chased out of the park by the rangers, who were trained by ANI. We now sleep with both eyes closed since ANI's arrival in the Gashaka area."

 

Recounting past experiences of kidnappings and murders by bandits in the park, Sadiq noted that, "these incidents have drastically declined due to ANI's intervention.

 

 The foundation, as made known by him, has provided the NPS with training and resources to equip rangers to combat banditry, kidnapping, and other illegal activities.

 

  ANI's Community Liaison Manager, David Peter, who also spoke with our correspondent,  highlighted the technical and financial support provided to the NPS, stressing that "the collaboration has led to a massive reduction in criminal activities in the park."

 

Emphasizing the importance of continued government support in order to sustain the positive changes, he urged greater involvement from the state government to complement the efforts of the park management.

 

Beyond security, ANI has invested in community development initiatives, including skills training for local residents, particularly women and youth. These programs have helped to reduce poverty and create alternative livelihoods, thereby mitigating pressure on the park.

The park's ecosystem has also benefited from ANI's support. Reforestation efforts and anti-poaching patrols have led to a resurgence of wildlife populations, attracting tourists and boosting local economies.