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Lungelo Ndhlovu
FARMERS resettled in Matetsi, Hwange District in Matabeleland North province under the land reform programme, are now fully realising profits from hunting and safari operations in their area. The farmers who were resettled under the wildlife-based land reform programme in 2000, have realised that they can co-exist with wildlife and live to tell a success story as they keep benefiting from natural resources.
Woodlands and Sikabela resettlement areas, which are under Chief Mvuthu of Hwange, have managed to establish a hunting venture worth $50,000 that has remarkably improved the community’s way of life.
Woodlands Ward 1 Councillor, Elias Muzamba, said the resettled communities now understand the value of wildlife and natural resources conservation.
“Our ward emerged as the best veld fire fighter in 2011 and Environment Management Agency (EMA) awarded us a trophy for that. To us, it’s not just a trophy; it has a huge impact on our neighbouring communities because we’re using it as a mirror which reflects that unity and hard work lead to success. We’ve managed to build four primary schools and a secondary school since being resettled here at Matetsi, with proceeds from our hunting and safari operations,” said Clr Muzamba.
He said last year, about 160 children were enrolled into a new secondary school which was built using the hunting and safari proceeds. Among the primary schools which benefited from the hunting operations are Masuwe, Madumbe, and Matetsi.
This year, Woodlands and Sikabela communities managed to conserve wildlife and curb veld fires, though the latter issue remains a threat for them.
According to EMA education and publicity officer Mildred Matunga, Hwange has been the most veld fire-prone area in the province since 2011. This year, the region has so far lost about 144,263 hectares of land due to veld fires.
“Hwange District has continued to be the most veld fire-prone district in the province from 2011 to date. Land hectarage lost has increased from 83,463 to 144,263 this year. I urge all communities to emulate Woodlands and Sikabela communities in their efforts to conserve wildlife. Property owners should have an early start in the implementation of pre-suppression measures so as to curb the spread of veld fires in 2015, thereby preventing destruction of property and loss of lives,” said Matunga.
About 5 million people live in arid and semi-arid communal lands – almost half of Zimbabwe’s population.
Despite the dryness and difficult conditions in the areas that lie in the south-east, western and north western parts of the country, a wide range of wildlife is found there. In order for communities to be fully involved and benefit from their indigenous resources, the government set up the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (Campfire) in the 1980s.
Campfire works with people who live in these communal lands, supporting the sustainable utilisation of wildlife. From activities of the Campfire concept, locals can gain income as well. With trophy hunting for example, income comes from selling hunting concessions to professional hunters and safari operators. Individual hunters pay fees to shoot elephants and buffaloes and other animals. They are strictly monitored, accompanied by local, licensed professionals. Trophy hunting is considered to be the ultimate form of eco-tourism as hunters usually travel in small groups, demand few amenities, cause minimum damage to the local ecosystem, and yet provide considerable income.
Income collected from Campfire activities is distributed by district councils, using guidelines produced by Campfire. Eighty percent of the money is given directly to local communities who collectively decide how it should be spent.
Twenty percent of the income is allocated to district councils for administration and managing the local Campfire projects.
While Campfire has undoubtedly helped communities build infrastructure, enhance incomes and conservation activities, some people are angry at councils that they accuse of abusing revenue derived from the projects.
Dete residents association member Thulani Mbewe told The Chronicle their community does not see the value of Campfire as the Hwange Rural District Council takes all the money meant for the projects.
“We see a lot of wildlife being sold. We tend to wonder where the rest of the money goes. The reason why elephants were poisoned with cyanide in Hwange last year is because people were not getting anything from Campfire.
“Leaders should learn to share because this is our wildlife and it has to benefit every community not individuals,” said Mbewe.
Hwange Rural District Council official Phindile Ncube disagreed saying Campfire has helped lift many out of poverty and made it possible for the environment to be conserved.
“I’d like to applaud the government’s land reform programme which has elevated us as blacks and resulted in this kind of development. You worked as a community to prevent veld fires so that they don’t destroy our natural resources and wildlife. It is important to look after your natural resources and those who are mandated to do the hunting job should be accountable so that all profits return to the community,” said Ncube.
Clr Muzamba adds: “With the money we get from our safari proceeds, we’ve managed to buy a tractor which we use for ploughing purposes and to make fire guards in the communities. From the hunting proceeds, each household in Woodlands and Sikabela gets $200 towards the month end of December. The rest of the money is channelled to various projects such as infrastructural development.
“So far, we’ve managed to set up water taps for the households and life is becoming manageable for many individuals here.”
Bongani Ndlovu