Members of Eastern Equatoria state Assembly debated on Monday for over two hours means to protect wild animals, birds and forests from destruction.
MP Marcelo Lokuju Lotirmoi raised a motion on the unjustified killing of wildlife and non-protection of flora and fauna in the state.Some MPs, including Tobiolo Oromo, defended the clearing of forests to create agricultural land and firewood.
Other MPs objected the use of forest for farm land and firewood.
MP Arungole Rhine said the ecological cost was too big to be considered.
Wildlife minister George Echom said there was a big stress on protected areas by the increasing population.
Mr Echom said wild animals, especially the white antelope, were threatened by poaches during the rainy season when they moved to open spaces with low grass.
He said floods and ecological changes affected the animals due to diseases and lack of food.