Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
THE Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act is set to transform Zimbabwe’s conservation sector by strengthening community participation, improving investment prospects and enhancing protection of wildlife resources.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on the Act, Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said the new legislation marked a major milestone for the country’s wildlife industry as it was a product of collaboration between the Government, conservation partners and stakeholders.
“It is my distinct honour to address you today at this important stakeholders’ meeting on the Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act,” she said.
“Let me begin by congratulating all of us for this key achievement, which is the product of collective effort.
“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.”
Minister Ndlovu expressed gratitude to the Attorney-General’s Office for its legal guidance, as well as Treasury and the Global Environment Facility Sixth Cycle (GEF6) project for sponsoring the initiative.
She also commended the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and officials from the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife for their commitment to ensuring that the legislation reflects both national priorities and international best practice.
Minister Ndlovu said the Amendment Act introduces key reforms aimed at modernising wildlife management systems and promoting sustainable utilisation of natural resources.
Among the major provisions, the Act promotes the establishment of conservancies to expand conservation landscapes beyond traditional protected areas.
It also strengthens the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE), ensuring that communities living alongside wildlife derive meaningful benefits and play a more active role in protecting natural resources.
“The Act introduces aspects of ownership of wildlife, giving communities and stakeholders greater responsibility and incentive to protect and sustainably utilise resources,” said Minister Ndlovu.
“It also enhances ethics and professionalism in the industry, setting higher standards for conduct, transparency and accountability. This will encourage investment and attract a greater number of tourists to Zimbabwe.”
She said the law also introduces new tenure arrangements for leases to encourage long-term investment in conservation and tourism infrastructure.
Minister Ndlovu said the development comes at a time when the Cabinet recently adopted the Third National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 3), which integrates biodiversity into national development planning.
The strategy aligns Zimbabwe with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which outlines targets to halt biodiversity loss, restore degraded ecosystems and strengthen climate resilience.
She said the Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act complements the strategy by operationalising community beneficiation, improving mechanisms for managing human-wildlife conflict and promoting sustainable utilisation of natural capital.
Minister Ndlovu said together the two frameworks advance the Government’s vision of a biodiversity economy in which wildlife, forests, wetlands and ecosystems are recognised as productive assets that drive inclusive growth, food security and resilience.
However, she said the success of the new law will depend on effective implementation.
“We must ensure that these reforms translate into improved protection of endangered species and habitats, enhanced mechanisms for addressing human-wildlife conflict, transparent benefit-sharing models that uplift communities and stronger enforcement capacity for ZimParks and other agencies,” said Minister Ndlovu.
She said Zimbabwe remained committed to building a resilient and inclusive wildlife sector through strengthened governance, sustainable financing such as ecotourism and conservation-linked investment, and deeper collaboration with communities.
Minister Ndlovu said conservation would also remain integrated into national development strategies in line with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030.
“The Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act is not only a legislative milestone, but a catalyst for lasting progress in conservation, investment, tourism and community development,” she said.
