adminFaith Mandizha
MISS Ecotourism Africa 2023, Patience Tangirai, is leading an ecotourism initiative to raise awareness and advocate for the restoration of wetlands in Zimbabwe. Her plan includes an ecotourism train aimed at educating future generations on the importance of ecotourism.
Patience hopes to partner with environmental groups and organisations as well as parastatals to garner support and drive her cause forward.
She faces challenges in gaining financial backing from companies and addressing ignorance about ecotourism and its role in environmental preservation.
However, Patience believes that by establishing strong laws to protect wetlands and educating communities on their benefits, the project can become more sustainable. Patience is determined to forge partnerships with influential stakeholders, including the mother ministry, to ensure the preservation of wetlands in Zimbabwe for future generations.
Patience told H-Metro that her desire is to learn from existing environmental groups and organisations such as the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and animal conservatories.
“By partnering with these institutions, I hope to enhance the programme I am championing and solicit their support in making a meaningful impact.
“I also aim to engage parastatals as well as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Health to support my cause,” she said.
By involving these ministries, she believes future generations will become more aware of ecotourism and develop a sense of responsibility towards preserving and protecting wetlands.
While Patience has been successful in launching her advocacy and attending workshops hosted by EMA, financial backing remains a primary challenge.
“Ignorance about ecotourism and its role in the environmental fight poses a hurdle that needs to be overcome, and to address these challenges, I emphasise the importance of establishing strong laws that protect wetlands.
“Communities need educational workshops about wetlands and how they can become sources of employment and beneficial to them,” she said.
Online Reporter