1st INTERNATIONAL PAN AFRICAN ANIMAL WELFARE ALLIANCE ...

environment in Africa. I concur with those who say that commercial hunting for the meat of wild animals is now themost significant threat to the future of wildlife in Africa.Further, the immense rise in the demand for timber and fuel wood has resulted in utter destruction of wildlife habitats,dispersal areas and migration corridors. Following this, we have experienced systematic and significant loss of animalspecies and more so the rare ones. Such human-induced threats to habitats degradation are compounded by climatechange.Ladies and Gentlemen,Habitat loss negatively affects our shared lives, because some of the habitats also happen to be vital sources of muchneededecological services. The Kenya Government is determined to ensure that wildlife habitats are protected now andinto posterity. In this regard, we recently launched The Kenya Wetlands Atlas and a Master plan for the Conservationand Management of Water Catchment Areas. The two documents provide detailed information on the dynamics ofwetland ecosystems and their value to the economic development.These documents provide a comprehensive framework, which takes into account the role of National and CountyGovernments in a devolved system of governance focused on the people. We have also gazetted the WetlandsRegulations that will facilitate the proper management and conservation of such habitats. We are determined to retainthe roles habitats play in the improvement of water quality, reduction of flooding and in sustaining river flows.Lastly, I wish to thank the organizers and sponsors of this Conference for making it possible for participants to discusshow to tackle the many and inter-locking social and economic challenges that affect the welfare of animals in Africa. Ihope that by the end of the day, the participants will share experiences on how issues such as poverty, disease, strife andother economic and socio-political challenges have hampered the realization of an Africa that is kind and at peace withits animals. Most importantly, I hope that the Conference will not end up as yet another talk shop. I believe that thedeliberations will form the basis upon which policies and legislation are enacted all over Africa and concrete actiontaken to outlaw all forms of cruelty to animals. Towards this end, I invite organizations and concerned individuals toseek forums through which they can positively engage governments, not just on this very important matter, but also onhow to ensure that most people in the continent actively participate in strengthening the human-animal bonds that are sovital in poverty alleviation, environmental protection and sustainable development.With these many remarks, Ladies and Gentlemen, I now declare this conference officially opened.THANK YOU.Speech by Ms. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi – Member of Parliament and Writer – IndiaEnhancing public-private partnerships in promoting responsible ownership of dogs and catsDear AllI really would have loved to be in Nairobi in person because a Pan African initiative to save animals is truly an excitingidea. However several years ago I decided not to spend animal welfare money on travel so this written verse will haveto convey all my thoughts and feelings.I will try and keep things as short as possible and delve into my 30 years of experience to share with you. As many ofyou would know, the animal welfare movement has to be divided into the following categories, each requiring differentlaws and approaches:Pet animals and stray animalsAnimals used for experimentationAnimals in the mediaReport of The 1 st International Pan African Animal Welfare Alliance (PAAWA) 2013 Page 49