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Wildlife: A national asset under threat
Tarisai Shumba, The Standard (Zimbabwe)
October 16, 2011

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/local/32059-wildlife-a-national-asset-under-threat.html

Wildlife areas are largely situated in arid parts of the country, marked by skittish and unreliable rainfalls, poor soil and, thus, mostly unsuitable for sustainable agriculture or cattle ranching.

This is true of National Parks, Campfire areas and conservancies. Since wildlife is the recommended and often the only long-term sustainable land use in these areas, is it important to Zimbabwe as a whole? - The answer must be a resounding; "YES"! Use this land for wildlife or risk destroying it's potential for future generations!

We can offer the Victoria Falls, the Great Zimbabwe monument and many one-day attractions in Zimbabwe. But our complimentary and competitive advantage asset is wildlife. Viewing wildlife, hunting, birding and fishing are activities which make tourists stay for extended periods.

There is sufficient proof of the multiplier effect on the economy due to tourists extended stays. Without wildlife our tourism industry would be close to non-existent. Our exceptional wildlife areas ensure tourists stay for weeks rather than days and ensure that they visit Zimbabwe for other business and personal reasons, post their wildlife viewing visit.

While the national wildlife herd has been destroyed by some 75% - yes, three quarters of our national wildlife herd has been eliminated! - in the last 12 years, wildlife is doing well in those areas and conservancies, which have not been invaded and destroyed.

The role of private conservancies is recognised by most SADC regional governments. President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, and many other members of Cabinet understand and support the role of wildlife for the benefit of the country and the specific and complimentary role of conservancies within the wildlife industry.

Of great concern are statements made by the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Stan Mudenge who earlier this year advised that Chinese interests would convert conservancies into cotton farms, the animals present would be driven to Gonarezhou National Park and the remainder would be barbecued!

This statement made for personal political benefits undermines Zimbabwe's once proud reputation for conservation and shows a lack of regard for government policy not to resettle people in Region 5 where erratic and poor rainfall makes dry land farming unsustainable. Resettling people in areas with poor soil and rainfall shows a lack of respect or concern for their and their children's future.

Apart from these uninformed suggestions, one wonders what drives the minister, Governor Titus Maluleke and several MP's in Masvingo other than finding yet another avenue for personal enrichment. Settling people in marginal areas, asking them to farm in such a highly vulnerable habitat is setting them up for failure.

To bring such flora back to its original state invariably takes between 30 to 50 years. However, if the topsoil has been removed through erosion, which is too often the case, the land in question may never recover and will become a desert instead, destroying all future employment potential and creating a cycle of poverty and dependence on food aid. Certainly a lose-lose situation.

Zimbabwe needs long term, pragmatic wildlife policies based on experience and the knowledge which it has already. Both its people and wildlife will benefit from such policies.

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