ZIMPARKS REVIEWS ELEPHANT MANAGEMENT PLAN

THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has started reviewing its Elephant Management Plan (2021–2025) amid growing concern from local communities over the lack of benefits from wildlife conservation and rising incidents human-elephant conflict.

The review workshop, held in Hwange brought together stakeholders from conservationists, Government, academia and for the first time, five traditional chiefs from Hwange District.

Their presence marked a major turning point in consultations around elephant management, with the leaders raising tough questions on the tangible value of conservation to local people.

“Communities living side-by-side with elephants continue to suffer while the world praises Zimbabwe for its elephant conservation successes,” said Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo.

“We cannot talk about sustainability if the people bearing the cost of conservation are not benefiting.”

The traditional leaders lamented the worsening poverty in areas bordering protected zones and said there was rampant crop destruction, injuries and property damage caused by elephants.

They also called for the establishment of a relief fund to assist victims of human-wildlife conflict and demanded a fair share of revenues generated through conservation initiatives.

“We understand the frustration of communities and we are committed to ensuring that the new ten-year strategy will be more inclusive and community centred,” added Mr Farawo.

“Conservation is not just about animals; it is about people too.”

The review also laid bare the deep financial constraints hampering Zimbabwe’s conservation efforts.

Source