Andrew
Online Reporter
CABINET has approved the establishment of the human-wildlife conflict relief fund to cushion affected victims.
Addressing Tuesday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said: “This year alone, as of August 2022, 46 Zimbabwean lives have been lost to human-wildlife conflict, with the most affected being Mashonaland West province, where 19 people were killed, mostly in Kariba. “Accordingly, Cabinet adopted the establishment of a relief fund to cushion the victims of human-wildlife conflict by way of funeral assistance and an amount paid towards hospitalisation and treatment with a set limit.”
According to Minister Mutsvangwa, a specialised human-wildlife conflict unit will be established under Zimparks (Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority).
In essence, the fund is based on a self-financing model where proceeds from hunting and other crowdfunding activities will be mobilised to resource the fund.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter