 said that it has over the past one year completely overhauled it's tactical and defensive frameworks within the 2,244 square kilometer){kind=link}
By Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
Bauchi State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) said that it has over the past one year completely overhauled it’s tactical and defensive frameworks within the 2,244 square kilometers of the Yankari Resort & Safari landscape and the neighboring ecosystems
The corporation has slso successfully integrated the resort and safari local forest rangers with aggressive joint-patrol teams consisting of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and local vigilante groups, which effectively flushed out criminal elements attempting to use the thick canopy of the reserve as a hideout.
The BSTDC Managing Director, Dr. Mohammed Nasiru Yusuf also said that they have provided Technological Integration (SMART & Video Surveillance); Working alongside the corporation’s long-standing technical partners, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), fully upgraded the reserve Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART).
Yusuf at a press conference in Bauchi, the managing director further revealed that the corporation has deployed advanced video surveillance and real-time GPS/satellite tracking collars on elephant herds to proactively direct rangers to areas under threat.
He explained that through specialized training programs, the reserve rangers have been retrained in advanced night-patrolling techniques, modern interpretation, and community dialogue, while continuously addressing resource gaps to ensure the frontline heroes are appropriately equipped to match modern field challenges.
Dr. Mohammed Yusuf stated that due to rigorous law enforcement and zero-tolerance policies on livestock grazing, several poachers and loggers have been arrested as deterrence, thanks to the political will and dynamic leadership drive of Governor Bala Mohammed, as well as the Central Government in Abuja.
Yusuf, on behalf of the corporation management, and the management of all protected areas, Tourism, wildlife friend, and environmental stakeholders, expressed gratitude to Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his unwavering vision and urgent intervention.
Dr. Yusuf added, “The state government’s direct budgetary allocations for the structural renovation of tourist facilities, prompt release of counterpart funding, and commitment to staff welfare have breathed new life into our conservation assets”.
He said that the the famous natural warm springs received a comprehensive facelift, including newly constructed, hygienic changing rooms, modernized restrooms, and enhanced pavilion sitting areas for tourists.
“Chalet & Restaurant Face-Lift: The state government spearheaded the complete renovation of the main restaurant, executive lodging rooms, and standard chalets to meet international hospitality standards”.
He further stated it was in order to reduce carbon emissions and minimize noise pollution near wildlife habitats, that a 24/7 solar-powered lighting system has been installed across the main resort, camps, and administrative pathways.
Dr. Mohammed Yusuf disclosed that the Federal Government through a World Bank project, the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACRESAL), intervened with multi-million naira that procured brand-new, specialized game-viewing safari trucks, rehabilitated the legendary Wikki Warm Springs facilities, and provided essential field kits and uniforms for the game rangers.
“Ground efforts are heavily bottlenecked by Yankari’s dense 2.244-square-kilometer terrain To bypass this, WCS introduced regular aerial surveillance patrols. Light aircraft scan the reserve from above to spot illegal canopy clearings, cattle encroachments, and poachers camps, instantly relaying exact coordinates to ground teams on rugged motorbikes”!
“WCS works directly with surrounding community farmers to establish non-lethal deterrents (such as chili-pepper fences) to stop elephants from destroying crops, reducing the likelihood of retaliatory killings”, Yusuf concluded
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