More boreholes to ease human-wildlife conflict

PROVIDING alternative water sources like boreholes for humans and animals is key in preventing human-wildlife conflict, which experts say is most appropriate, especially in the dry Matabeleland North due to the El Nino-induced drought.

In an effort to strategise and protect both humans and wildlife, the province held the Matabeleland North Provincial Economic Development Plan workshop, which was attended by local authorities, thematic committees chairpersons and the Provincial Development Committee (PDC) between Monday and Tuesday.

It was noted that the province is bracing for a potential surge in human-wildlife conflict and there is a need to drill boreholes in hotspot areas where there is competition for scarce resources.

Competition for resources, invasion of protected areas and growing wildlife population, among others, have been identified as the main drivers of conflict.

Matabeleland North permanent secretary, Ms Sithandiwe Ncube, said drilling more boreholes will help reduce contact between wildlife and communities.

She said providing water for wildlife and alternative income for communities, aims to create a more harmonious co-existence between humans and wild animals in Matabeleland North.

“During our discussions we noted that the sinking water table is a major concern especially this year when the country has been hard hit by the El Nino phenomenon. “We came up with the resolution to drill boreholes in areas that are high frequency zones for human-wildlife conflict,” said Ms Ncube.

“The other resolution is finding alternative sustainable income generating projects because we realised that communities lose a significant portion of their crops to wild animals. By providing alternative water sources for animals, we hope to minimise their interaction with human settlements and agricultural fields while the other economic empowerment projects are meant to empower communities financially when they incur losses in the field,” said Ms Ncube.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, working with partners, has drilled a number of solar-powered boreholes in and around Hwange National Park to provide water to wildlife.

Efforts by the PDC and stakeholders will go a long way in ensuring reliable and sustainable water provision. About 14 boreholes have been drilled in Binga district since January this year. Participants at the workshop also emphasised the importance of diversifying livelihoods for communities living near wildlife corridors.

They called for income generating projects that can sustain communities as compensation for losses caused by wild animals. Government is also working on establishing the Human-Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund to compensate victims of the conflict. Speaking at the same workshop, ZimTrade Client Advisor for the Bulawayo office, Ms Nozipho Maphala said the trade organisation was prepared to help communities to start income generating projects.