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Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Director General
Dr. Morris Z. Mtsambiwa (MBA)...Spear heading the transformationaton of Parks.
By Brian Maguranyanga
PhD candidate, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor(USA)
The environmental context for protected area management and conservation has rapidly changed over couple of years. Protected area authorities have had to change their assumptions and how they work.
Park authorities that remained locked up in their old ways of doing business 'or' old culture' despite changes in the social, political, economic and institutional contexts have become irrelevant and illegitimate.
The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority of Zimbabwe has refused to be chained to 'old ways' and be enslaved to out dated conservation philosophies and practices.
A strategic reorientation was undertaken, based on careful analysis of the environmental context, and it sought to free the park authority from bondage. The Parks Authority adopted transformation as a strategy to enhance organizational performance and break out of mal adaptive organizational practices and culture in pursuit of socially just conservation and sustainable financing of conservation and protected area management.
Why was transformation visions driven by the recently transformed Parks and Wildlife Management Authority of Zimbabwe. Common sense tells us that senior management has the responsibility to transform the Authority. To some extent, it has the managerial responsibility but the ultimate responsibility to change and ensure the sustainable health of Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rests squarely on all employees and stakeholders. Seeing the Authority as a 'family' implies that all organizational members have an obligation to some extent, it has the managerial responsibility but the ultimate responsibility to change and ensure the sustainable health of Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rests squarely on all employees and stakeholders.
Seeing the Authority as a 'family' implies that all organizational members have an obligation to ensure the sustainability of the Authority. This demands changes in the attitudes and values of employees and a break with unprogressive ways of thinking that inhibit the realization of new visions driven by the recently transformed Parks and Wildlife Managemen Authority of Zimbabwe.
The transformative agenda of the Authority should be received by all employees with passion. All i am advocating for is a passionate workforce that identifies with the vision of the Authority. An adaptive workforce, passionate about the new mandate and vision of the Authority, becomes a catalyst for change within the organization. It is not the organizational one that needs to change but also the people within it must renew their mindsets to suit new circumstances. Conscious adoption and assimilation of new ideas, mindset and culture are prerequisites for transformation. Do employees (as individuals and a collective) share the meaning of transformation of Parks and Wildlife Management Authority? How are misperceptions of transformation resolved? The resolution lies in inspiring people to change in action.
Inspiring people to change in action has to be understood as a change management strategy aimed at empowering employees to recognize that they are change agents in some respect, and their involvement in the transformation process is highly appreciated. Recognizing that the goals of the Authority have broadened beyond mere conservation and protected are a management to incorporate commercialization and development, it is immediately apparent that employees should appreciate new competencies and knowledge to make these goals possible. Entrepreneurship or commercial mindset has become part of the overall strategy of financing conservation and protected area management, and increasing revenue streams of the Authority.
In the context of economic uncertainty and hyperinflation, commercialization offers opportunities for hedging the Authority against risks in funding conservation. The realization of synergies and alignment within and between various departments of the Authority is paramount for the success of the transformation effort. I envisage a situation in which there is congruence and coherent framing of transformation among organizational stakeholders, and a purposive commitment to “commercialization for conservation.”
16 PAINTED DOGS RELEASED INTO HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
The Minister of Environment and Tourism Cde. F. D. Nhema taking a look at some of the donated Painted Dogs
By T. Kanhema
South African National Parks recently
donated 16 wilddogs(lycaonpictus) to the
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management
Authority through the Hwange based
Painted Dog Conservation Project, and the dogs
were released into the Park after five months of
rehabilitation in November.
Environment and Tourism Minister, Cde.Francis
Nhema received the 16 wild dogs at Painted Dog
Conservation Project's rehabilitation centre at
Hwange National Park at a ceremony attended by Zimbabwe Parks and
Wildlife Management
Authority officials,
the local Chief
Nelukoba, Dr.
George InDe
Maur and a
Dutch
Television
crew.
“These dogs will
assist in our effort
to restock the
country's wild dog
population, which has
been disappearing from our
wildlife scenery”, said Cde Nhema at the
reception, who commended Painted Dog
Conservation's funding partners from the
Netherlands and volunteers from other countries
for making the transfer of wilddogs to Zimbabwe a
success.
The highly endangered wilddogs were transferred
from Pilansburg Reserve to Hwange by
Netherlands-based African WildDog S.O.S. Fund, which supports the protection and conservation
of the endangered species in Africa and seeks to
get wilddogs onto the CITES list of endangered species. They were kept in an enclosure, where the
project's vets monitored their progress while they
acclimatized to their new habitat.
Cde. Nhema said the move by South Africa is
within the context of the SADC Protocol on Wildlife
and would go a long way in enhancing
cooperation between the two countries, which
have so far signed a number of agreements in the
area of wild life management and conservation.
“Zimbabwe is the only country in the world that
officially protects the lycaonpictus and we are
impressed with the country's stance on the
endangered species,” said Dr. George van Der
Maur, founder and chairman of the Netherlands
African WildDog S.O.S. Fund.
He said he had first seen wilddogs at ManaPools
and his organization provided funding for the
transportation of the wilddogs to Zimbabwe as
part of its recognition of the country's stance on
the protection of the endangered lycaonpictus, whose population has fallen from 500000 to less
than 4000 in nearly 50 years.
Cde. Nhema expressed hope that the growth of the
country's wild dog population would attract tourists who come to the country to see wild dogs
in their natural habitat and conduct photographic
safari in areas where the speciesis found.
He said the government would keep supporting
the Painted Dog Conservation project in its efforts
to save wild dogs from extinction, and would try to
replicate the project's initiative in other provinces
so as to promote conservation.
The Minister toured Painted Dog Conservation
Bush Camp, where pupils from schools
neighbouring Hwange National Park attend
environment education classes and learn about
wilddogs and other animal species, while at the
same time learning how to use computers. “This project's initiative will go a long way in
cultivating an appreciation of environmental
conservation among communities, we wish to
replicate it in areas like Nyanga, Vumba, Masvingo
and the Save Conservancy. Its one of its kind and
will go along way in assisting our communities,
not in terms of information and awareness, but in
terms of child development and creation of
employment.
Environment and Tourism Minister Cde. Francis Nhema speaking to at the official handover of Painted Dogs in the presence of Sphilisiwe Ngwenya of Ngamo Safaris (second left from Cde Nhema) and Mr Mafuva Parks Official (Third left from Cde Nhema) Inder Maur
Dr. George Inder Maur commended Painted Dog
Conservation's efforts, saying his organization
would continue to support its efforts to conserve wilddogs.
“It is the first time we have translocated wilddogs
and it has been very successful, it's an emotional
moment for me”, said Dr In der Maur after the wild
dogs also known as painted dogs had been let out
to roam freely in the Park. “This is something we
have worked for over one and a half years to
achieve.”
The sixteen wilddogs joined an estimate of 700
other wild dogs currently forming the word's
largest population in Zimbabwe's NationalParks
and conservancies. Zimbabwe has the world's
largest remaining population of lycaonpictus, and
this has been attributed to its tight conservation
policies.
Zimbabwe is the only country in the world that
officially protects wilddogs and here has been
successful prosecution over the illegal killing of
wilddogs.
“We wish other African governments could follow
the example set by Zimbabwe in its stance over the
protection of endangered species,” Dr.George In
Der Maur said, “ The situation of wilddogs would
be better.”
He said the dogs would not have made it in the wild if they had stayed in South Africa, where they have
no official protection outside National Parks. A
number of lycaonpictus are reported to have been
killed by farmers in South Africa.
“The Zimbabwe government attitude and policy
towards wild dogs is very positive and
encouraging,” said Dr In Der Maur, adding that this
organisation would assist any group involved in
efforts to save wilddogs from extinction.
“In Zimbabwe, Painted Dog Research has been
working to preserve the lycaon pictus for more
than 18 years, conducting environmental
awareness campaigns in communities
surrounding Hwange National Park.
“It's not possible to get communities to tolerate
wilddogs without a comprehensive conservation
awareness programme”, said Mr. Gregory
Rasmussen head of Painted Dog Research
Project.
Painted Dog Conservation has been engaged in a
campaign to save wilddogs from extinction for
more than 20 years, and has managed to increase
the country's wilddog population from 300 to over
700. There are at least 15 packs of wilddogs in
Hwange.
HUNTING NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED
Lions...one of the sought Badges of honour for the hunters
By L. W. Nyaguse
The sound of a rifle shattering the peace and
tranquillity of an African wilderness is
usually enough to send the normal tourist
scurrying for cover and safety. Well not this
tourist. Welcome to the world of safari hunting!!!
This is an activity that has become a global
pastime, and has been in existence since the days
of traditional kings and queens, and growing even
more in popularity in Zimbabwe. It is also known
as sporthunting!!! It may be a sport but it is not
for the faint hearted but definitely for the sporty
and athletic types. And unlike most contact
sports, any contact in this sport is usually fatal for
either of the parties, the hunter or the hunted. In sporthunting, the hunter becomes the hunted.
It is an opportunity for many to pit their hunting
skills against the natural survival instincts of the
various animals. It is basically a confrontation
with animals in their natural habitats. An adrenaline filled sport with the ultimate prize being
the trophy of the animal. A badge of honour and
source of pride, worth putting on a glory wall or
wearing as a memento of the hunter's bravery and
skill in an African wilderness.
The sport is not without its dangers and human
casualties are not uncommon. Sometimes the
will to survive of the various wildlife species is
often underestimated by the novice hunter,
something that may prove fatal.
Once dangerous animals like an elephant, buffalo, lion
or leopard realize that they are under attack, they
normally commit themselves to neutralizing the
object of their threat, or defending their territory, in
this case from the hunter. At this moment in time
failure is not an option for the hunter. The
consequences of failure are often dire and the
consequences of success often cause for much
celebration. Success is often followed up with a
lot of cheering, backslapping and photographs
and recognition of just rewards for days of toil
usually under as earing hot African sun, tracking
game and looking for the perfect animal to be
taken down with the perfects hot.
Sporthunting is quite an innovative conservation
tool used by the Authority. It is just another way of
animal population control and is an innovative and
marketable product, with global appeal.
Memorable and sustainable! It is based on sound
conservation, park and animal population
management principles which ensure that the
animals within the parks estate and other wildlife
areas do not exceed their carrying capacity and
otherwise cause irreversible damage to the
environment and indeed to other wildlife species.
This is as opposed to culling the excess wildlife
populations, which requires huge inputs in terms
of manpower, finances and high cost equipment
like helicopters, huge cold rooms and others,
which would cost astronomical amounts of
money.
Sporthunting has had positive effects on the value
of the country's wildlife resources as
communities living with wildlife are also able to
put a value on their wildlife (usually foreign
exchange), thus ensuring a sustained and
growing movement, especially with the rural
communities, to conserve Zimbabwe's wildlife
resources and curb poaching activities.
Finally, the trick with sporthunting is to ensure that
the country has enough trophy quality wildlife
resources and enough room in a hunting area to
ensure that hunting becomes a challenge because
the animals have enough room to escape and
evade the hunter's rifle. Hunters pride themselves
on the size of elephant tusks or buffalo horns they
are able to take back to their country and
showcase their hunting ability in an African
wilderness, with swathes of land teeming with
dangerous game and all manner of wildlife
dangers. This is where the management authority
comes in, to make sure that Zimbabwe's
conservation efforts are able to ensure that the
wildlife populations are healthy enough to be able
to support a vibrant hunting industry.
According
to renowned professional hunters plying their
trade in Zimbabwe, there is no place in the world
for hunting like Zimbabwe. So with respect to
sport hunting, Zimbabwe's Safari areas have
enough wonders for every keenhunter.
THE PARKS BOARD
Mr George Pangeti
Mr George Pangeti, the
Zimbabwe Parks and
Wildlife Management
Authority Board
Chairman is a biologist
and ecologist by
training. He worked for
the then Department of
Parks and Wildlife
Management and rose
through the ranks to
become its Deputy
Director until his
resignation.
Mrs Rose Mukogo
Mrs Rose Mukogo, the
Authority's Board member,
worked in the Ministry of
Environment and Tourism
and later joined
Zimbabwe Tourism
Authority at its
formation. She was a
Board member at
Zimpapers and
Zimbabwe Council for
Tourism .
Mr Ngonidzashe Alfred Chinogwenya
The Authority's Vice Board
Chairman
is a
registered legal practitioner
and member of the law
society. He is a senior
partner in Chinamasa,
Mudimu, Chinogwenya
and Dondo Legal
Practitioners. He sits on
Boards of several
companies and trusts.
Mr Peter Mudzamiri
Mr Peter Mudzamiri, a has a vast experience and is currently the Director of Environment and Tourism.
Mr Alvin Dumisani Ncube
Mr Alvin Dumisani Ncube a Parks
Board Member has over 16
years of industrial
experience. He has
worked at
management levels in
various
organizations. He
brings a wealth of
business
knowledge and
experience to
Zimbabwe Parks
and Wild life
Management
Authority especially in
Strategic Management
and corporate Governance.
Professor Pwiti
Professor Pwiti sits in the
Parks Board as a member.
He is currently a Professor
of Archaeology at the
University of Zimbabwe.
He has coordinated a
number of projects and
his wealth of
experience in research
and project
management will be a
treasure to the Authority.
Mr Ambrose Made
Mr Ambrose Made a
scientist by profession
is a Board Member
of the Zimbabwe
Parks and
Wild life
Management
Authority. He
is currently a
special
Advisor to
the United
Nations
Development
Programme
Resident
Representative.
Jerry C.Gotora
As a Board Member, Jerry C.
Gotora has a vast experience in
administration gained over the
years when he was
employed in Local
Government
Administration as a Chief
Executive Officer. He has
been a member of several
boards such as
CAMPFIRE
ASSOCIATION, ZESA
Holdings, ZINARA and has
also been a Councillor in
Local Authority now
Alderman.
Mr Ebbias Manyonganise
The Board Secretariat, is the Authority’s
Coroporate Services Manager. He joined the then Department of
National Parks and Wildlife Management in 1990 and rose through
the ranks to his present position. Mr Manyonganise has been in the
board secratariat for the past seven years.
GONAREZHOU NATIONAL PARK
The majestic Chilojo Cliffs in the Gonarezhou National Park
By Retired Major Edward Mbewe The Gonarezhou National Park situated in
the Southeastern Lowveld of Zimbabwe, rich in unspoiled natural beauty and wildlife
is envy to all tourists local or foreign who take time
to visit the park today.
The Park covers an area of over 5000 square
kilometers of virgin land and has some of the most
outstanding features ever found in the south
eastern Lowveld, the Chilojo Cliffs.
The Cliffs, just 40km from Chipinda Pools main
offices, area is a marvel to watch. Roaring at the foot
of the sand stone cliffs, is river Runde, where from
a distant one can gaze at the mighty
hippopotamus in action.
Just yesterday, the Park was a forgotten Garden of
Eden, as almost every tourist visiting Zimbabwe
had no interest on it. But, alas, the tide has since
changed. All roads lead to the now famous
Pombadzi wilderness area where one is able to
experience the pristine wilderness without being
wild.
Talking of Pombadzi wildness area without
mentioning Duguvi Falls found right on the
Pombazi River will be doing one a disservice. The falls are very attractive and a marvel to watch
during the rainy season. For those who are into
bird watching, the natural water pans such as
Manjinji Pan, Chindlambai and obviously
Tembahata are worth visiting.
The rugged terrain calls for the use of a four wheel
drive which will make game viewing an
interesting venture and the best game viewing
time is in the early mornings and late afternoons.
To get out of it all, one can do so along the reverine
regions and close to many perennial pools and
springs.
Camping is one activity that tourists can enjoy
especially at Simuwini Rest Camp and other bush
camps scattered around the park although with
minimum facilities camping in this Park is always
something worth experiencing. These exclusive
camps include the likes of Chimuluvati,
Nyahungwe, Madumbini and Chitove. Camping in
Gonarezhou is always something out of this world, fascinating and enjoyable. The elephants in
Gonarezhou are rather aggressive so visitors are
to be encouraged to keep watch and maintain a
safe viewing distance.
The Gonarezhou National Park is part of the newly
established Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
measuring approximately 35 000 square
kilometers .The GLTP encompasses Kruger
National Park and the Mozambique's Limpopo
National Park. The MegaPark is set to become one
of the finest peace Parks in the world and through
this venture Gonarezhou is set to become one of
Zimbabwe's prime holiday destinations. The vast
and diverse nature of the Mega Park will provide
world class ecotourism to the visitor.
The park gets most of its water supply from the
three major rivers, the Runde, Mwenezi and Save,
where hundreds of species of birds, wildlife and
fish gather to quench their thirst.
As for improvements in the Park, the Authority has
started on the refurbishment exercise which is
meant to turn around the fortunes of the Gonarezhou Park and put it at par with other
partners in business. The Authority has since
opened up and graded over 170km of road
network within the park and a 40km all weather
road from Chipinda Pools offices to the Chilojo
Cliffs.
A multi billion electrification project is now
nearing completion. The success of this project
will see investors in the Gonarezhou National
Park being able to start working on their leased
sites in earnest. This exercise will complement
the revival of the tourism industry, as more
potential tourism players will find their way into
this lucrative business.
If one is entertaining any ideas of visiting
Zimbabwe, then Gonarezhou is the place to be.
There is quite a lot in store for everyone. Just a
stone throw from the Chipinda Pools main
offices, runs Runde River where the popular
Madawu causeway is found. From there, multitudes of deadly crocodiles can be seen
waiting patiently for their prey.
To cap it all Gonarezhou National Park has what it
takes for those who love nature as the park
provides the visitors with a unique wilderness
experience, day time and full moon walking trails
and excellent bird watching.
Feeling like taking a stroll in the
park.........................then take it at Gonarezhou
where there is unique view of the sunset from the
redhills.
ZIMBABWE'S TOURISM DOWN BUT NOT OUT !!!
By L. W. Nyaguse
Zimbabwe cannot be written off, seems to
be the call from the tourism industry, and
not least the Parks and Wildlife
Management Authority, whose contribution to
tourism in Zimbabwe is immense.
At the moment there are intense efforts by the
Zimbabwe Council for Tourism, RBZ and other
players in the tourism industry to try and
resuscitate the good fortunes that Zimbabwean
tourism enjoyed in the past few years. It is
however, undoubtedly the Parks and Wildlife
management Authority which will play a central
role towards the revival of the tourism industry.
Opinions are often divided about Zimbabwe's
ability in so many other areas as exemplified by
the current negative perceptions and difficult
socio-economic environment. Despite all this,
there are certain unavoidable truths that unite
public opinion, and things that are immune to the
negativity, for example, the splendour and sheer
beauty of the Victoria Falls, the size, beauty and
ferocity of the African Elephant, of which
Zimbabwe is home to more than 90 000, the
pristine natural environments offered by the
various National Parks, Recreational and Safari areas dotted around the country and the
unwavering dedication of the staff to conserve
and preserve Zimbabwe's natural heritage.
Zimbabwe's wildlife tourism environment remains
one of the best and most competitive anywhere
on the African continent. To top if off,
Zimbabweans are still in a class of their own as far
as friendliness goes in Africa. Can anything beat
this? Any national monument may have historical value
for recreating self-esteem for Zimbabweans, especially now that some of the Parks have earned
that prestigious World Heritage Site Status,which
places them among some of the world's preferred
tourist destinations of choice for the discerning
tourist. The Parks that have the distinguished
honour of being awarded world heritage site
status include Matobo National Park, Victoria Falls
National Park and Mana Pools National Park. The
mere recognition alone of the Authority'svarious Parks offers a lot of hope for the nation's tourism
future.
Whatever else perceptions may say, the world's
fascination with Zimbabwe's wildlife and
landscapes keeps a lot of people tuned into the
country and keeps them queuing up to visit the
WorldHeritage Sites and the world of wildlife in Zimbabwe. One only needs to go and look at the
popularity of the VictoriaFalls or the numbers
trekking to the various holiday resorts in the hope
of seeing the Big Five. With the coming on stream
of the arguably one of the world's largest parks,
the Great Limpopo TransfrontierPark, straddling
three countries borders, Zimbabwe, Mozambique
and SouthAfrica, Zimbabwe's tourism can only
look up from here.
The MegaPark will open up
more exciting tourism options and a wider
diversity of wildlife species to be seen by various
tourists. It will also offer easier access to other
tourism magnets like Nyanga and Chimananimani
in the same province. It may just be for a quick get
away weekend or for that long and soothing
vacation, Zimbabwe will positively get one's
cameras rolling, and those sun hats and mosquito
repellents out, and naturally that adrenaline
pumping.
The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority
with its many wonderful and natural attractions
and the local and international reputation they
enjoy is very well positioned to lead the recovery
of the nation's economy. Tourism may well be the
last bastion for the country's economic recovery.
2ND EDITION OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE DAY CELEBRATIONS
Cde F. D.Nhema, Minister of Environment
& Tourism |
The year 2006 was a successful year for
Parks and Wildlife Management Authority
in its bid to keep the general populace,
corporate world and other stakeholder posted
and
accosted of its wildlife conservation goal.
On
November, 2004, the Authority together with
the
nation celebrated the Parks and Wildlife Day
in
Mashonaland West Provincial Capital Chinhoyi,
under the theme “Conserve Wildlife The Heritage
is yours,”
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Addressing a huge crowd of about seven
thousand people, the Ministry of Environment and
Tourism Hon. Cde. F. D. Nhema pointed out that the
country's economy depended on wildlife activity
through tourism. “The Parks and Wildlife Estate
(covering five million hectares or 13% of the
country and 2%onforestreserve) alone places
Zimbabwe high, among nations that have
reserved a substantial proportion of land
exclusively for nature conservation. What is more
important is that the land has been effectively
managed for that purpose,“ he said. He urged the
Authority to consider the ecological, socioeconomic and cultural
linkages that exist with
people in the areas where they are located to
ensure sustainability.
The 2nd edition differs from the first one in that it
had a beauty pageant contest which saw the top
three getting sponsored to participate in Miss
Tourism Zimbabwe. The participants were
Hospitality and Tourism students from
Universities and Colleges. Peace Musi from
University ofZimbabwe (UZ) was the inaugural
Miss Parks, Kudzai Chipengo was the First
Princess, Chipo Tangawas the Second princess
and Loice Mudukuti was the Miss Personality. The
contestants walked away with prizes such as
holiday accommodation and cash prizes. The
event could not have been successful without the
assistance in form of sponsorships received from
Makuti Safaris, Air Zimbabwe, Kalamazoo
Printers, Msuna Safaris, Kingdom Bank, Silverton
Radiators and
many more.
From left to right, Loice Mudukuti Miss Personality, Kudzai Chipengo First Princess, Peace Musi Miss Zim Parks 2006 and Chipo Tanga Second Princess. The day was
packed with a
lot of
fascinating
activities such
as the soccer
tournament,
netball
tournament, anti-poaching displays, drills
and the beauty
pageant. The
Parks and
Wildlife Day is
an important
day in the
Authority ' s
calendar. It is
a day of
celebrating the
achievements
in
conservation
and a day of
interacting
with the public in a bid to encourage people living with
wildlife to help protect them from unmerciful
hands of poachers. |
Getting down to the dance floor...from left an unidentified guest, Board Vice Chairman Mr A.N.
Chinogwenya, Director General Dr M Z Mtsambiwa, Board Members Mr J. Gotora and Mr Ncube
ELEPHANT CONSERVATION
. . .A Problem To Appreciate
By Rtd Major E.Mbewe
Elephant conservation in
Zimbabwe has proved to be a success
as elephant populations have shown
tremendous increase over the years.
The population now stands at approximately 100
000 and their growth continues at about 5% per
annum. In such instances one
will realise that managing elephants becomes really important as
it leads to many problems that have to be solved
immediately.
The truth of the matter is that this has led to a lot of
problems for the people who actually
live with the wildlife. One has to recognize the
social costs of living with wildlife are high.
There is a problem of
persistent crop
damage by
elephants and
other animals.
Elephants are
actually the
ones reported
as most
responsible for
the crop
damage in the
communal
areas.
It is also true
that by design,
most rural
communities
are located
close to rivers
and this
naturally
creates
competition for
water between
the community and wildlife. Time and again cases of human injury
and death caused mainly by elephants are
reported.
Of more concern is the speed at which some of the
habitat types that are well represented in protected
areas are being modified by wildlife and
over abundance of elephants. Well wooded areas
are also being converted into virtual grasslands. It
is an open secret that high elephant densities have
far reaching cascading effects, leading to reduced
biological diversity, loss of productivity and
ultimately to serious desertification.
Some people around the world believe that the
best answer to the elephant problem is to just let
them multiply in numbers and then starve to death. This is not a good idea especially when
taking into consideration the Zimbabwean
scenario. There is a lot that the communities can
benefit through the use of elephants.
It would not be fair to let the communities suffer on
the problem of elephants and then deny them the
opportunity of utilizing the same for their own
good as a people. Elephants are very important
and a valuable resource which could contribute
significantly towards the development of
communal areas in Zimbabwe.
Out for total destruction...at the centre of controversy.The mighty elephants on a stroll of life
In Zimbabwe today, the recognition of increased
human-elephant conflict led to the establishment
of the Communal Areas Management Programme
for Indigenous Resources better known as
CAMPFIRE. This programme has so far proved to be effective as it has been able to generate the
much needed revenue from natural resources
management which includes safari hunting. The
revenue generated through this programme is
ploughed back into the community. This at the end
of the day goes a long way in reducing human and
animal conflict and the unsustainable utilization of
natural resources.The programme has promoted
the role of the communities in conservation. It
works quite well where the people actually realize
that there is a link between the benefits and natural
resources management. If this is not realized
wildlife then becomes exposed to the dangers of
poaching.
This programme has made it possible for the
wildlife to find safe haven in communal areas outside protected areas.
Protected areas can
never be large enough to contend with
eventualities such as the huge home ranges of
some animal species, after all protected areas
cannot remain the islands of conservation, they
must stand out as centers from which to spread
more information on conservation practices. That
is why more emphasis has been placed all along
on sustainable use of wildlife in places outside
protected areas.
It is therefore important for the international world
to understand where Zimbabwe is coming from on
the issues of sustainable utilization of wildlife
resources.
In areas where communities have decision
making power and receive tangible benefits, greater interest
and investment
in conservation
is evident. For
instance the
Mahenye
community has
achieved quite
a lot in the area
of wildlife
management
and tourism
development.
The revenue
generated
through wildlife
related
activities has
been spent in
infrastructure
development
such as
schools, roads
and water
reticulation.
They have gone
on to train their
wildlife related people to run and manage wildlife related
business and they have also created a 15 000
hectare wilderness Area known as Dangaremhuka
wilderness(wildlifestable) which is to operate as
a Safari area. The community also operates Safari
tours in the Gonarezhou National Park which is
part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
(GLTP).
The Mahenye case proves that communities,
when given the necessary assistance can
improve their livelihood from the sustainable use
of wildlife and other biodiversity. Hence the need
to allow communities living with wildlife to
practice sustainable utilization of wildlife, this
could help in making them appreciate living in
harmony with nature.
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