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Walter Nyamukondiwa in KARIBA
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has handed over to employees patrol vehicles and 16 semi-detached staff houses at Nyanyana Camp, replacing small, dilapidated houses built in the 1960s.
The development was done through a public-private partnership between Zimparks and crocodile farming company Padenga Holdings and is expected to boost conservation efforts in the Zambezi Valley. Poaching has been experienced in the Zambezi Valley and the development will help improve patrols and living conditions for 32 staff members.
Accepting the donation, Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira said there was need for increased collaboration in conserving Zimbabwe’s natural resources.
“Zambezi Valley is a shining example in the country of the multi-stakeholder engagement, participation and collaboration for conservation,” she said.
“Stakeholders of forms and kinds have been assisting anti-poaching through provision of anti-poaching vehicles, fuel and training of rangers, back packs, road maintenance, deployments and satellite collars for the iconic elephant.”
She hailed other conservation initiatives being supported the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Global Environmental Facility (GEF 6) and Tashinga Initiative in the Zambezi Valley.
“With these new vehicles we expect the challenges of patrol coverage to be eased. The fear that the Zambezi Valley is a difficult terrain to patrol should be a thing of the past.
“I am aware that the responsibility and what is expected of Zimparks here in the Zambezi Valley is daunting given the precarious and poaching scourge experienced,” she said.
Minister Mupfumira said the country’s conservation programmes were anchored on sound security and anti-poaching strategies. Staff members expressed relief for the new houses saying the ones they were using were small and crowded making them uncomfortable owing to the high temperatures prevalent in the Zambezi Valley.
Padenga Holdings chief financial officer Mr Oliver Kamundimu said Zimparks had provided land for their expansion and they had to provide houses for staff and patrol vehicles.
“Padenga and Parks have a win-win relationships on several levels including areas such as collection of eggs, CITES documentation to facilitate exports and anti-poaching initiatives,” he said.
The company has been providing community assistance to Zimparks staff members and their families including access to their health facilities and transport.
Zimparks director-general Mr Fulton Mangwanya called on other stakeholders to support them in conservation of wildlife for current and future generations.
“Animals are not into politics because they do not vote and we call upon everyone to come in and assist in conserving our wildlife. Let us focus in conserving our fauna,” he said.
Online Reporter