The protection of nature is your mission in life: With Gerald Bigurube and Clovis Razafimalala two environmentalists have, for the first Time the German Africa award President Wolfgang Schäuble of the Bundestag.
President of the Bundestag, Schäuble, with the winners Clovis Razafimalala
Even Royal Highnesses jury President Volker Faigle tried in his speech to make clear why the German Africa-award for the first Time to two environmentalists, has been awarded. The British Prince William had opened a few weeks ago, an international conference with an emotional appeal to stop the overexploitation of the environment. An important interjection, Faigle. “Also, we are tonight, witnessing a Zwischenrufs brave people from our neighbouring continent, Africa, in an impressive manner to the threat of nature, and in the Front line to engage.”
Since 1993, the German Africa Foundation, distinguished African personalities working for peace, democracy and sustainable development. President of the Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble emphasized in his speech the importance of Africa for Europe. The future of Europe will decisively influenced by the further development of Africa, says Schäuble. Africa was in urgent need of economic well-being, but not alone.
“It is also about the long-term protection of the foundations of life of humanity. The fight for the preservation of the diverse and unique Fauna and Flora, is of vital importance, the protection of the environment is a truly global task,” said Schäuble. The two laureates, Gerald Bigurube and Clovis Razafimalala. “You risk much more personally. You want to destroy in your way – those that make illegal transactions with precious rosewood in Madagascar, which for mega-projects, and the sensitive habitat for animals and plants in Tanzania.”
For over 40 years, Gerald Bigurube (on the left) is for the protection of the environment in Tanzania
Bigurube (66) has been working for over 40 years for Tanzania, the natural world, to belong to the world-famous areas such as the Serengeti national Park. As head of the state national Park authority, TANAPA, now as country Director of the Frankfurt Zoological society. The President of the jury Faigle praised him as a prudent bridge Builder. Bigurube would be “for a sustainable conservation, which is in line with social needs and developments,” said Faigle.
Electricity or the environment?
Like many African countries, also Tanzania, in the Dilemma between economic development and environmental protection. Among other things, the government is planning a hydroelectric power plant in the Selous national Park, to meet the growing demand for electricity. Environmentalists fear that as a result, the unique animal world of the UNESCO world natural heritage will be destroyed. In addition to poaching, the pressure is also growing due to the high population growth. More and more livestock and larger and larger areas of arable land are threatening the habitat of the wild animals. Your protection is Bigurube important – the people. “We are seeing more and more conflicts between people and elephants, which destroy their fields. We need to help the Affected, so that their habitats will be preserved,” he says Interview at the DW. The price will hopefully, significantly, what are the main challenges Tanzania stand in protecting the environment.
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The German Africa Award In 2018
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Two environmental activists received the German Africa award in 2018
The protection of the environment, the life of Clovis Razafimalala from Madagascar. The 46-Year-old even had to go to prison. “His commitment to the environment earned him not only recognition, but, above all, the enmity and bitterness,” said Faigle. Razafimalala is the Chairman of the environmental organization Maroantsetra Lampognpo. It is primarily for the conservation of the Masoala national Park, which is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Especially the illegal deforestation of Madagascar’s forests – 90 percent of the land is already destroyed. 2016 was taken Razafimalala by the government, because he should have organized mass protests against the timber industry. A pure intimidation attempt: at The relevant time he was not, according to witnesses, even in the country.
But that does not scare him. Razafimalala continue to fight. “If I don’t stop these activities, who will do it? My parents sent me to school, so I earn money, but also, so that I may do for the company,” he says to DW. The Africa-price, he wanted to use it to arouse more international attention to the destruction of the environment in Madagascar. “For me, this is a great opportunity to engage in lobbying. The price will make my job easier and it means protection for me.”