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Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe is making significant strides in protecting its rich biodiversity by being part of several key multilateral environmental arguments, Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni has said.
In a speech read on her behalf by the deputy director Wildlife and Forestry in her ministry Mr Tendai Ruzvidzo at the National Convention on Community Conservancies, Minister Nyoni said one notable example was the country’s efforts to incorporate provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s recent Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
She said in particular, target number 4 that seeks to ensure that management actions should minimise human-wildlife conflicts and promote coexistence.
The convention aimed to promote community-led conservation and sustainable development in Zimbabwe.
It ran under the theme: “Empowerment through Community-led Conservation.”
“This is crucial for Zimbabwe given its unique wildlife advantage, including forests, protected indigenous forests, woodlands, bushlands and wooded grasslands that cover a significant portion of the country’s land surface,” Minister Nyoni said.
“By investigating these international agreements, Zimbabwe aims to ensure that its management actions prioritise harmony between humans and wildlife. To date, Zimbabwe has managed to set its 23 action-oriented targets for 2013, which provides our dedication to housing and reversing biodiversity loss, restoration of ecosystems, and protecting communities.
“The ministry will focus on a program to raise awareness on the set targets and these targets were set for this September. There is need to do outreach such that we will be able to meet our commitments because the deadline is not far, we only have five years to implement these national set targets.”
Minister Nyoni said as a country, the Government recognises the need for community involvement in wildlife management.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter