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Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) for Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme.
The MoU is aimed at weaving a narrative of shared responsibility, conservation and community empowerment.
The Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme is an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) and is being implemented by a consortium that includes the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)/World Agroforestry, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
ZimParks director-general Dr Fulton Mangwanya said the programme focuses on wildlife conservation and sustainable development and he was happy to highlight that the programme was being implemented in Binga District in Mucheni, which is part of the Zimbabwean component of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area.
“This community conservancy project stands as a beacon of hope and collaboration for us, and it symbolises our collective dedication to preserving the flora and fauna in this landscape,” he said.
“Through this initiative, we are not only safeguarding wildlife but also nurturing sustainable livelihoods for the local communities as the custodians of these natural resources and we are therefore fostering a sense of ownership, pride and stewardship that transcends generations. The success of this programme lies in our ability to work together hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder.
“It is through this unity of purpose and action that we can overcome the challenges that threaten our natural heritage. As we sign this Memorandum of Understanding today, let us recommit ourselves to the principles of sustainability, inclusivity and resilience.”
Dr Mangwanya said the MoU signifies their shared vision for a sustainable future, where wildlife and humans coexist in harmony and demonstrates their commitment to collaborative conservation.
CIRAD deputy regional director Dr Pierre Grard said the MoU provides a solid foundation for a successful partnership between the two organisations, promoting collaboration, trust and mutual benefit. Dr Grard said CIRAD will directly collaborate with ZimParks and join forces in helping communities living within and around various protected areas in Zimbabwe to live in harmony with nature.
“Over the past 30 years we have been operating in Zimbabwe, CIRAD and ZimParks have collaborated on many initiatives with favourable results,” he said.
“CIRAD and ZimParks have collaborated through many interventions in Mbire (community wildlife ranch project), Chiredzi (Parcel project), Hwange (Prosuli project but also Isango) and Binga (the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) programme, just to mention a few. The Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme being implemented in Binga aligns with both the MoU’s purpose and ZimParks’ mission.
“This project is an expansion of Zimbabwe’s CAMPFIRE programme, a significant step towards community involvement in wildlife management. This programme is aligned to Zimbabwe’s national priorities and will contribute to the attainment of targets outlined in the National Development Strategy 1 and contribute towards attainment of SDG 2, and 15.”
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