Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Government is rolling out a comprehensive strategy to combat the illicit trade in natural resources and associated financial flows, which continue to threaten Zimbabwe’s biodiversity, economy and social stability.
This was revealed by the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, during the high-level segment of the GONAT Project Training and Policy Dialogue held in Victoria Falls last Thursday.
Dr Ndlovu highlighted the severe challenges posed by illegal activities in wildlife and forestry sectors.“Zimbabwe is richly endowed with natural resources and under my purview, I oversee wildlife and forest resources.
“The purported illegal trade in wildlife, forestry resources and other valuable natural assets threatens ecosystems, undermines sustainable development, causes loss of biodiversity and deprives the nation of critical revenue,” she said.
Dr Ndlovu warned that environmental damage is particularly dire, with illegal logging and poaching leading to deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, and the loss of iconic species such as elephants and rhinos.
Beyond the ecological impact, illicit trade robs the Government of revenue needed for development and conservation, while also fuelling corruption and organised crime.
“Illicit trade undermines the rule of law, exacerbates poverty and inequality, and tarnishes Zimbabwe’s international reputation, potentially affecting foreign investment and cooperation on conservation efforts,” said Dr Ndlovu.
To address these threats, the Government is strengthening policy and enforcement measures. Amendments to the Parks and Wildlife Act and the Environmental Management Act will raise penalties for offenders, while the “polluter pays principle” is being embedded through changes to Statutory Instrument 188.
In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry is also developing an Environmental Crimes Manual to guide the prevention, detection and prosecution of environmental offences. This will support the creation of specialised environmental courts and equip prosecutors with tools for more effective judgments.
Reforestation is another key pillar. Dr Ndlovu announced a mandatory programme requiring tobacco farmers to establish 0,3 hectares of woodlots for every hectare of tobacco planted. The initiative, led by the Forestry Commission and supported by the Sustainable Afforestation Association, is reinforced by a nationwide indigenous tree planting programme.
Operational capacity is being boosted through a new National Environmental Law Enforcement Unit, created via a memorandum of understanding between the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Zimbabwe
Republic Police. Fifteen police officers have already been seconded to EMA to enhance inspections and prosecutions.
Dr Ndlovu emphasised the importance of community involvement through natural resource management programmes that empower locals with alternative income streams to reduce reliance on illegal trade.
At the international level, Zimbabwe continues to participate in conventions such as CITES, CBD, CMS and Ramsar, while also cooperating regionally through initiatives like the Transfrontier Conservation Area.
Leveraging technology is central to the strategy, with drones, satellite imagery, GIS and remote sensing now being deployed to monitor protected areas in real time. Under the Education 5.0 framework, parastatals have set up monitoring units to track natural resources and wildlife movements, while detecting illegal activities instantly.
“All our parastatals have functional real-time monitoring units for monitoring natural resources, wildlife movements and detecting illegal activities in real time,” said Dr Ndlovu.
The Government intends to integrate anti-corruption strategies directly within the environment sector, expand public-private partnerships to strengthen investigations, and step up SADC-wide co-operation on legal harmonisation, intelligence sharing and joint operations.
