Araneta & Tan | Nature & Wildlife Photographers

Araneta&Tan . Photography & Philanthropy

CONSERVATION | Wildlife Conservation | Nature Conservation | People Conservation | Partners

Conservation Focus – People

When you initially think of a photo safari to Africa, it’s likely that images of elephants, lions, vast empty plains and isolated volcanic mountains will come to mind. But when considering conservation efforts, it is crucial to remember the people who inhabit the land.

Nowhere else on earth do so many different tribes, languages, cultures and beliefs all converge into one continent. You might head to Ngorongoro Crater and see the exotic tribesmen dressed in their bright red robes with spears always at the ready, or you might journey to remote villages far away from the rest of civilisation. Wherever you go in Africa you will find friendly, fascinating people keen to introduce you to their way of life, providing you with an inspirational experience.

Helping those Most in Need

But you don’t need to be told about the numerous problems in Africa. Huge numbers of people are starving, malnourished and dying of diseases such as HIV/AIDS. We see the wars and the famines on TV, but these are just the ones that get to our screens.

But as well as the big problems that affect people across Africa, there are problems that affect every city, town and village – problems with sanitation, a lack of clean water, the prevalence of malaria and inadequate medication provisions. Often just the simplest solutions are needed, yet for some reason they remain hard to implement.

We have formed partnerships with charities and organizations who constantly work to improve the living conditions of those who are suffering the most. This involves raising money for new medical centres, preventing malaria by purchasing simple mosquito nets, and ensuring that more people get access to a clean water supply. Through implementing such measures we can truly help to make a positive difference to the land that we love so much.

Poverty Reduction leads to Improved Conservation Efforts

There is another reason why it is important to help those in need: poverty eradication and improved education lead to more successful conservation efforts. Often it is not wilful neglect that puts animals and environments in danger, but rather simple misunderstanding and a lack of awareness.

People eat ‘bush-meat’ out of need, but they don’t know how much these animals could be worth alive. Over-fishing in parts of the Indian Ocean is a huge problem, and yet with simple education techniques people can learn how to save the oceans at the same time as improving their quality of living. Through teaching, informing and educating the people, we can help to improve their quality of life at the same time as achieving conservation success.

Success through Understanding

We can really make a difference not just to people’s lives, but to the natural environment they inhabit and the animals that live beside them:

In Uganda the gorillas now enjoy protection due to their huge value as tourist attractions. The money gets put back into the local community and to the further protection of these endangered animals.

In Northern Tanzania, the impressive game parks provide year-round tourism opportunities, so that people can make their livings through the industry, inspiring them to protect the animals and the landscape that are such a draw.

People have realised that the animals are worth more to them alive than dead, and they use the tourists’s money to protect the animals and to keep people coming back.

Change is Possible

People can always change harmful practices for the better. This allows them to earn more money to support themselves, and it allows us to enjoy the animals and the pristine landscapes. The people who inhabit the fascinating continent lie at the heart of conservation efforts. Without their input and support, all is lost.