Wildlife: A national asset under threat
Sunday, 16 October 2011 13:28
By Tarisai Shumba
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 dryland 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.