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Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
THE incoming Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) Director-General, Professor Edson Gandiwa, has assured the nation that the authority will continue to consolidate gains and strengthen the country’s wildlife conservation agenda in line with the national development agenda through a comprehensive Wildlife Heritage Conservation 6.0 model.
Prof Gandiwa officially took over from Dr Fulton Mangwanya as ZimParks DG on Tuesday during a handover event held at the authority’s headquarters in Harare.
Dr Mangwanya has been appointed Director-General in the President’s Department.
Speaking on his vision, Prof Gandiwa said in order for the organisation to propel President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, the authority’s Wildlife Heritage Conservation 6.0 model will encompass habitat and species conservation, protected area management, sustainable tourism and the wildlife economy, community conservation, private wildlife conservation, and collaboration and partnerships at all levels.
“Moving forward, we will continuously exploit priority areas and opportunities which include enhanced management and improving conservation effectiveness — to allow for quality protection of the wildlife resource in the land under conservation in Zimbabwe (at least 28 percent).
“We will focus on ensuring that all the Parks and Wildlife Estate, gazetted forests, Campfire, and private land are productive, protected and play a key role in wildlife conservation. Participatory land-use planning will be enhanced to optimise ecological connectivity and sustainable development.”
He said the implementation of the revised Campfire programme will be prioritized as this will assist in strengthening the role of communities as the first line of defence in conservation while enhancing human-wildlife conflict management, habitat conservation and growing the wildlife economy.
Prof Gandiwa said the implementation and periodic review of ZimParks’ Strategic Plan, management plans (including species and protected areas) and policies will be a priority in line with national dictates while benchmarking regionally to ensure competitiveness and the realization of ZimParks’ Vision — that of becoming a world leader in wildlife conservation.
He noted that the essential role of research and innovation in wildlife conservation and adaptive management cannot be overemphasised.
“Building on the great progress to date, we will ensure appropriate research support is continuously provided to our ecologists and ZIWC, and mutual partnerships will be promoted with local and external institutions.
“Enhanced linkages with our local universities in addressing topical issues in the wildlife sector as part of the implementation of the heritage-based Education 5.0 will be pursued, building on the existing MoUs,” he added.
He stressed that they will also build on research and innovation drive and existing efforts in technology deployment within the authority’s operations to enhance capacity through new technology adoption in various areas, including wildlife forensics, surveillance, law enforcement, pollution control, invasive species management, wild animal population census, human-wildlife conflict management and rapid onsite testing of samples in the Parks and Wildlife Estate.
Turning to fisheries management and aquaculture, Prof Gandiwa highlighted the enhanced utilisation of water bodies within the Parks and Wildlife Estate, which is essential for the effective implementation of the recently approved ZimParks Fisheries and Aquaculture Strategy.
He noted that that strategy would enhance food security and poverty eradication while complementing other related Government projects.
“Over the years, significant progress has been made within ZimParks regarding collaboration and partnerships in line with the “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra. Accordingly, emphasis will be placed on ensuring we enhance conservation efforts in all key areas of the Parks and Wildlife Estate.
“ZimParks will continue to play a key role in the TFCA programme and ensure effective implementation of the six TFCAs work programmes. We will continue to collaborate with sister parastatals under our ministry and other entities in sustainable natural resources management,” said Prof Gandiwa.
He affirmed that they will continue to enhance the inclusion of local community voices in wildlife conservation matters at national, regional and international levels through participatory and bottom-up approaches like CITES.
On sustainable resource utilisation and development initiatives, Prof Gandiwa mentioned that efforts to enhance conservation hunting as a management and economic option would be explored.
Opportunities for involving local people and growing domestic conservation hunting and revenue sources would also be strengthened, alongside the pursuit of diversification options in the wildlife sector in line with the national biodiversity economy report.
“Innovative financing and unlocking the value of wildlife products remain a major focus, and engagements with relevant partners and stakeholders will continue at national levels and beyond.
“The role of ZimParks in anchoring nature-based tourism cannot be overemphasised given that at least 70 percent of tourist visitation to the country is nature-related. Modernising and enhancing investments in tourism infrastructure, product diversification, branding, and linkages within Zimbabwe and beyond will continuously be explored and implemented,” said Prof Gandiwa.
He concluded by stating that the authority will continue to adhere to good corporate governance as mandated by the country’s laws, including strengthening their corporate social responsibility. Prof Gandiwa brings over 20 years of experience working within ZimParks. — @nyeve14
