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Leonard Ncube in Hwange—
CHINA has donated vehicles and equipment worth more than $2 million to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to help fight poaching. As the country’s Look East Policy continues to bear dividends, the two nations signed 12 investment agreements worth $4 billion covering different sectors of the economy during President Xi Jinping’s visit last week. The deals are set to boost the implementation of Zim-Asset.
The first batch of the anti-poaching equipment which comprises trucks and off-road vehicles were officially handed over to ZimParks at Hwange Main Camp yesterday. The equipment includes eight Foton trucks, 10 Foton off-road vehicles, three dumper trucks, four Foton Motor graders, seven Foton pick-ups, eight Foton tractors and their spare parts.
There are also 30 solar chargers, sleeping bags, climbing shoes, flashlights, raincoats, telescopes, handheld GPS locators and other materials for use by rangers while on the field. The equipment has a combined value of $2,037,799 and will be shared between Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks.
The first batch of trucks has been received while the second and third batches comprising dumper trucks and handheld equipment have started arriving in Harare.
Handing over the donation to Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Huang Ping said:
“Zimbabwe is blessed with natural resources but at the same time it is battling with protecting endangered species. This equipment will assist Zimbabwe in conservation programmes. Chinese-Zimbabwe relations have a bright future and our people will enjoy the benefits.” Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said poaching, including cyanide poisoning targeting elephants, was an inside job.
“It gives me great pleasure to officially accept and receive on behalf of the government of Zimbabwe part of the donation made by China towards strengthening of wildlife protection and conservation in the Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She said the donation would help combat poaching and manage Zimbabwe wildlife heritage. Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said conservation efforts were under threat from increased poaching, illegal trade, international restrictions and reduced community benefits from wildlife.
“The procurement of these items could not have come at a better time than this one considering that government and players in the wildlife sector are confronted with a myriad of challenges which need to be addressed urgently.
“As we try to frantically protect our wildlife from organised gangs locally and externally, we are confronted with increased illegal activity by our own people and organisations that connive to undermine Zimbabwean laws, international laws and Cites regulations.
“We’re aware that an increasing number of highly placed people, our rangers, safari operators, professional hunters, landowners, some Rural District Council and some communities are involved in poaching and illegal wildlife trade. “The donation by China will go a long way in bridging the existing gap between resources and the huge demands for conservation,” she said.
Poachers, she said were also responsible for the demise of Campfire programmes through their quest for shameful profits. “The government has therefore resolved that urgent measures be put in place to stamp out the rampant poaching and address the critical issue of Campfire. In that regard we have already made efforts to address some of the issues in the short term and we are working to address strategic issues that require medium to long term interventions.
“These include ensuring that quota allocation is done transparently and equitably in a manner that benefits communities especially those that live with wildlife,” she said.
The government is also engaging local and international partners to address challenges of human animal conflict and mitigating strategies such as construction of buffers, solar fences and use of chilli guns in Tsholotsho and Hwange under the Global Environmental facility funded Hwange-Sanyati Biological Corridor, the Minister said.
This will capacitate communities financially and technically to be able to deal with problem animals. She commended communities and traditional leaders for playing a part in the fight against poaching, as well as security forces for partnering in conservation through joint operations.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said government would continue rewarding whistle blowers. Traditional leaders from Hwange District and council officials attended the ceremony. Minister of State for Matabeleland North Province Ambassador Cain Mathema who was represented by Hwange District Administrator Tapera Mugoriya called for an effective utilisation of the equipment for conservation of wildlife.
Online Reporter