New wildlife law to improve conservation, benefit communities

Zimpapers Reporter

THE Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act is expected to strengthen conservation, enhance community participation and attract investment into the wildlife sector.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on the Act in Harare last week, Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said the recent amendment was a major milestone achieved through collective efforts from the Government, conservation partners and stakeholders in the wildlife industry.

“Our stakeholders in the wildlife industry provided invaluable insights that shaped the provisions of the Act, while our conservation partners and funders offered the technical and financial support that continues to strengthen the sector,” she said.

The amended law promotes the establishment of conservancies and strengthens the CAMPFIRE programme, which empowers communities living alongside wildlife to benefit from conservation initiatives.

“This amended Act is transformative. It promotes the establishment of conservancies, expanding conservation landscapes beyond traditional protected areas,” she said.

“It strengthens the CAMPFIRE programme, ensuring that communities living alongside wildlife derive meaningful benefits and are empowered as custodians of our natural heritage.”

Minister Ndlovu said the Act also introduces aspects of wildlife ownership that will give communities and other stakeholders greater responsibility and incentive to protect and sustainably utilise wildlife resources.

She also said the law provides clear regulations that will help attract investment and tourism.

“The Act also provides clear and robust laws, which are the foundation of confidence for investors, partners and tourists, and introduces new tenures for leases to encourage long-term investment in conservation and tourism infrastructure,” she said.

The Act also complements the recently adopted Third National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which seeks to integrate biodiversity into national development planning and align Zimbabwe with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

“Together, these instruments form a coherent framework that positions biodiversity not merely as a conservation priority, but as a cornerstone of our national economy,” she said.

Subregional coordinator for Southern Africa at the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Dr Patrice Talla Takoukam said the reforms, which align the country’s wildlife management framework with modern environmental principles while strengthening governance, institutional coordination and sustainable utilisation of wildlife resources, mark an important step in strengthening Zimbabwe’s wildlife governance.

“The recent amendments represent a significant milestone in strengthening Zimbabwe’s longstanding leadership in sustainable wildlife management,” he said.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) director-general Professor Edison Gandiwa said the amended Act provides a modern and comprehensive framework for the sector.

In a speech read on his behalf by ZimParks director of scientific services Professor Never Muboko, Prof Gandiwa said the previous legal framework had last been fully amended in 2001.

“The new Act now gives us a comprehensive and modern framework.

“As an institution, we are fully prepared to operationalise its provisions,” he said.

Prof Gandiwa said the amendment will improve the ease of doing business in the wildlife sector by streamlining processes, clarifying tenure arrangements and strengthening accountability.

International Fund for Animal Welfare Zimbabwe country director Ms Alleta Nyahuye said the reforms recognise the role of communities in conservation.

Stakeholders said the success of the amended Act will depend on effective implementation, stronger institutional coordination and continued collaboration between the Government, communities, conservation partners and the private sector.