Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
INDIGENOUS knowledge systems used by villagers in areas on the periphery of national parks and other wild habitats to scare away untamed animals can be harnessed with the latest technological innovations, to mitigate the effects of human-wildlife conflict.
This will be made possible through joint partnerships following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) and Hwange College of Education (HCE).
The collaborative effort will ensure effective ways of combating human-wildlife conflicts mainly in Hwange and Binga districts.
The two educational institutions are in the process of developing an innovation that will be used to collect data on human-wildlife conflict in the Hwange and Binga areas where the scourge accounts for countless deaths of people and wild animals annually.
Wild animals such as elephants and buffalo, among others, stray into communities close to national parks and private conservatories, resulting in conflicts with villagers as they invade fields and destroy crops.
Cases of carnivores like lions and hyenas attacking livestock are common in Hwange and Binga. Villagers usually retaliate by killing wild animals either by setting traps or poisoning them.
Nust Dean Faculty of Engineering, Dr Busiso Mthunzi, said the Magole area under Chief Nekatambe in Hwange has been identified as the pilot focus for the research activity on combating human-wildlife conflict in the Hwange and Binga area.
“While awaiting the signing of the MoU, HCE and Nust agreed to develop an instrument that will be used to collect data on human-wild life conflict,” he said.
“The innovation will make use of several indigenous knowledge systems and other ways of scaring animals and technology to effectively tackle the problem faced by communities in Hwange and Binga,” said Dr Mthunzi.
Consent was sought and granted by Chief Nekatambe, village heads and the local Parliamentarians in the areas and relevant line Government ministries for the implementation of the project, said Dr Mthunzi.
“We are working on a date to host an indaba on human-wildlife conflict that will include all stakeholders to come up with systems that will enable communities to effectively scare away the wild animals from their communities,” he said.
HCE principal Mr Royal Ntini, said collaboration with institutions of higher learning are vital for the development of the newly established college.
“HCE was established in 2019 and is strategically positioned in the region as it draws its students from culturally rich communities of Hwange and Binga,” he said.
“Our students are rich in indigenous knowledge and practices and we believe our collaboration with Nust will benefit the college immensely.
“The students are also our gateway to the communities, who are richer in indigenous knowledge systems.
So, the MoU is a win-win for everyone from the researchers to villagers affected by human-wildlife conflicts.
“Our task as two institutions is to tap and modernise the indigenous knowledge systems for the benefit of the same communities and beyond.”
Nust is expected to play a mentorship role to HCE on research while the college uses its linkage to the communities to undertake the innovations and test them to constantly improve their effectiveness.
Nust Vice Chancellor, Professor Mqhele Dlodlo, said the MoU must not be allowed to die a natural death but must be fully implemented to improve the welfare of communities affected by human-wildlife communities.
“I make it a point that every department at Nust that signs an MoU with other educational institution and organisations gives me regular updates so that they (MoUs) do not remain documents gathering dust in our offices,” said Prof Dlodlo.
