The European Union (EU) has availed $14,5 million towards the resuscitation of the wildlife-rich Save Valley Conservancy in the south-east Lowveld.

Save Valley has been facing challenges ranging from increasing cases of conflicts between wild animals and communities surrounding the conservancy.

This was after vandalism of the perimeter fence around the wildlife habitat.

Parts of the conservancy was also occupied by landless villagers from surrounding areas such as Chiredzi and the families have vowed to stay put until they are given alternative land by Government.

Speaking during a consultative meeting to find ways of normalising operations at the conservancy, EU Head of Delegation to Zimbabwe Ambassador Phillippe van Damme said the European body was prepared to avail more funds towards the conservancy’s resuscitation if Government made research-based decisions.

“In brief, this project is substantially about overcoming a number of individual interests by building a common interest, which will allow the people of Save Valley Conservancy and its adjacent communities to make the most out of the resources that the Save Valley has to offer and to create a conducive environment for additional funding and investment,” he said.

“It will be essential to build consensus among all the stakeholders through a participative, knowledge-based process to underpin that long-term vision and to identify and defend this common interest.’’

Ambassador Van Damme emphasised that the EU was prepared to play a more prominent role in the revival of operations at Save Valley.

“The EU, on the other hand, may consider increasing its support if the consensual long-term vision effectively takes shape and investments in additional concessional funding for public infrastructure, capacity building and institutional development proves necessary,” he said .

In response, Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Josaya Hungwe said there were plans to engage a consultant to provide a lasting solution to problems bedevilling Save Valley.

Senator Hungwe said Government was deeply concerned with the unfolding situation at the conservancy.

“There has been a lot of talk about what is happening here (Save Valley), I understand there are 27 conservators and only two of them are indigenous and the rest are foreigners,” he said.

“We had a meeting with the Minister (of Environment, Water and Climate Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri), who is represented by her permanent secretary, Ambassador Grace Mutandiro, and we discussed quite a lot about what is transpiring here at Save Valley Conservancy where business is about animals.”

Senator Hungwe said it was feasible to come up with a lasting solution at Save Valley that benefited both the communities around the conservancy and the operators.

“What we call viability as Government is where communities around Save Valley draw benefits from the conservancy through spin-offs that improve their lives,” he said.

“We are looking forward to having independent experts who will come up with plans to make sure that we move forward and it is my belief that it can be done and we can develop this part of the country.

“When people are living with animals, some see them as sources of food, while others see them as tourist attractions. We want experts to attend to these areas, so that we come up with a lasting solution.”

Since last year, cases of human/wildlife conflict have been increasing at Save Valley, in some extreme cases resulting in the death of humans and livestock.

Government has been pushing vigorously for a lasting solution at Save Valley where cases of poaching have increased, amid calls to urgently restore the dilapidated perimeter fence around the conservancy.