In a move that could redefine the relationship between rural communities and their natural heritage, Zimbabwe has officially unveiled a new national policy aimed at overhauling its wildlife sector. The policy, signed into effect this week, pivots away from traditional state-centric protectionism toward a model that places local stewardship and economic benefit-sharing at the center of conservation.
HARARE – The Government of Zimbabwe has officially approved a new National Wildlife Policy, designed to align with emerging national, regional, and international best practices while harnessing opportunities within the wildlife sector.
The policy, presented by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on National Development Planning (CNDP), was announced at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Soda Zhemu.
Minister Soda noted that the wildlife sector has been remarkably transformed since the enactment of the current Policy in 1992, creating a need for sustainable and innovative wildlife management and policy initiatives.
Ten Key Pillars
The new policy is anchored on ten pillars identified to enhance and guide strategic planning and implementation. These include:
Ownership and legal guardianship of wildlife
Wildlife conservation in Parks estate
Conservation of fisheries in the Parks estate
Conservation of wildlife outside the Parks estate
Conservation of indigenous wildlife and plant species
Capture and movement of wildlife
Viable wildlife economy
Community-based natural resources management
Human-wildlife conflict mitigation
Wildlife education, research and development
Additionally, wildlife corridors will be established and maintained, while fisheries conservation will be promoted as part of water resources development, with penalties for violations that hamper resource sustainability.
According to Minister Soda, the new Wildlife Policy aims to strengthen the contribution of the wildlife sector to national development through sustainable use of wildlife resources, and to enhance active community participation and thereby socio-economic benefits for present and future generations.
The policy will also enhance resilience to climate change and promote a vibrant wildlife-anchored economy in line with the broader Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy Initiative under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and the country’s Constitution.
Minister Soda stated that the new policy fundamentally recognises wildlife as a public resource and therefore aims to promote access to equitable sharing of benefits; to support devolution; to harness public-private partnerships in natural resources development; and to promote sustainable transboundary conservation and ethical conservation practices, among other mechanisms.
CAMPFIRE and Human-Wildlife Conflict
The policy provides for various wildlife management mechanisms, including new regulations for CAMPFIRE, and will address human-wildlife conflict and implement the approved Human-Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund for the benefit of victims.
Transfrontier Conservation Area Update
Separately, Cabinet received and noted a report on the Lower Zambezi Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Areas (LOZAMAP TFCA) Ministerial Meeting, which was presented by Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Evelyn Ndlovu. The meeting was held on April 10 in Harare.
At the signing of the LOZAMAP TFCA in May 2023, a commitment was made for the signing of a Treaty within five years between the two Heads of State of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Technical processes are now underway to ensure that the Treaty is considered in February 2027.
The Government noted that recurrent climate-induced floods affect critical infrastructure in the Lower Zambezi area, including access roads, bridges, and some operational facilities, and the TFCA is expected to ameliorate these, given the lack of clarity on access to climate finances such as the Loss and Damage Fund.
Minister Soda said the establishment of the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) is testament to Zimbabwe’s commitment to regional integration and the implementation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement.
