IT IS INTENDED to fix the problem of excessive harvesting of trees as well as illegal hunting of animals, with a pharmacy of traditional healers opened by a conservation organization in Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park (HiP) on Saturday.
This was announced by the Minister of Economic Development, Tourism and Environment in KwaZulu-Natal, Reverend Musa Zondi, who was part of the event.
It is said that all legitimate traditional healers are going to buy trees as well as other things such as bones, oils, skins of certain animals and so on from this pharmacy that was delivered as Mpilino Warehouse.
Zondi said that the increase in the harvesting of trees and illegal hunting of animals, which led them to see the need to open a place like this, which will sell these things legally.
“Their illegal harvesting and their sale in the illegal market is dangerous to the environment as well as those plants and animals that are at risk of extinction,” said Zondi.
He said that the construction of this pharmacy was not done because it was easy, but it was done because there was a need.
“We were facing a big problem of uncontrollable sales and purchases, excessive harvesting in protected areas even though there are permits,” he said.
He revealed that this ultimately leads to the loss of money in the informal market. He said everything that will be sold in this area will be certified, traceable and comply with the laws related to environmental conservation.
He pointed out that it is important to publicize that this place is designed to support traditional healers. He also mentioned this will restore the dignity of medicine, the integrity and sustainability of traditional medicine.
Zondi said that the money that will come from the sale of these items, will be reinvested in the same way.
He said the pharmacy was a successful project in collaboration with KZN Wildlife, SAPPI, Provincial People and Parks, as well as the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
He also revealed that they plan that in the next five years, there will be pharmacies like this one in other parts of the province.