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Loveness Bepete recently in Hwange
The government has secured a grant of more than $5 million from the Global Environment Fund Facility through the World Bank for the Hwange-Sanyati Biological Corridor project, Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko has said. The Hwange-Sanyati Biological Corridor project is located in the north-western parts of the country covering 5,7 million hectares.
Speaking at the launch of the project last week, VP Mphoko said the money will address the water problems for wildlife and livestock in the region.
VP Mphoko said the Hwange-Sanyati Biological Corridor would empower communities in line with the government economic blueprint, ZimAsset.
He said World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as the implementing entity is working with the government on the Hwange-Sanyati project.
“The government has secured $5, 6 million grant from the Global Environment Facility to address some of the foregoing challenges. The shortage of water for wildlife and livestock in the region will cause wildlife to travel further outside the protected areas in search of grazing and water. This project therefore presents an opportunity to enhance natural resources management, promote habitat connectivity and enhance the livelihoods of communities,” VP Mphoko said.
He said government expects the project to help the country achieve environmental sustainability which is the Millennium Development Goal number seven.
The VP said the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) should be enhanced for greater benefit for communities. He challenged CAMPFIRE to diversify and avoid depending on wildlife only.
“The CAMPFIRE programme shouldn’t depend on wildlife only but diversify and include other natural resources for income generation. CAMPFIRE should significantly improve the living standards of communities and be an incentive for community participation in managing these natural resources,” said VP Mphoko.
Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate permanent secretary, Prince Mupazviriho, said the World Bank has volunteered to contribute $6 million in cash and in kind towards the Hwange-Sanyati Biological Corridor project implementation.
“The sub-component will finance investments that improve park management, water and game water supply management as well as support essential research and monitoring.
“Specific activities to be supported include strategic drilling of boreholes in the park based on results of the artificial water supply, training and better equipping of rangers and improving the communications infrastructure of the park,” Mupazviriho said.
Online Reporter