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From George Maponga in Masvingo
Chiefs around the Save Valley Conservancy in the Lowveld have appealed to Government to speed up the setting up of a Chiefs’ Trust where proceeds from hunting operations in the wildlife-rich conservancy will be pooled to fund developmental projects in surrounding communities.
The four chiefs around Save Valley, namely Tshovani, Gudo, Ziki and Budzi will be part of the trust, which will benefit from part of an estimated $2 million that is realised from hunting and tourism operations at the conservancy every year.
The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spearheaded the formation of the Chiefs’ Trust to benefit communities around Save Valley most of whom were at the receiving end of wild animals that stray outside the conservancy’s perimeter taking advantage of a broken down perimeter fence.
Proceeds from hunting and tourism activities are expected to start flowing at Save Valley this year after the Parks Authority issued hunting quotas for the first time four in years.
Spokesperson of the Save Valley Conservancy Chiefs’ Trust, Chief Tshovani, Mr Hlaisi Mundau said communities around Save Valley would soon start accruing benefits from the conservancy.
Online Reporter