GABORONE, June 22 (Xinhua) — Legislators in Botswana will urge the government to consider lifting hunting ban and shooting of elephants.

Thato Raphaka, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism on Friday confirmed parliament has adopted a motion asking government to consider lifting the ban on hunting and shooting of elephants in areas that are not designated as Game Reserves and National Parks.

“Prior to the adoption of this motion, Government had already appointed a Cabinet Committee to consult with communities on hunting ban,” said Raphaka.

Government has already made indications to start consultations, though the ban on hunting and shooting of elephants is still in force.

Botswana in 2014 imposed a hunting ban citing evident decline of several wildlife species in the country.