Conservation Overlooked in Recent Polls

Hwange villagers are hoping the incoming leaders following the 2023 elections will take wildlife conservation issues more serious. Image by Unsplash

Following Zimbabwe's recent national elections, the pressing wildlife conservation concerns in Hwange remain shrouded in silence. Amidst the post-poll power tussle, one question looms large: Did politicians neglect this crucial issue?

BY CALVIN MANIKA and DIVINE DUBE | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | SEPT 3, 2023

HWANGE (The Citizen Bulletin) — Conservation issues that are crucial to local communities and wildlife in Hwange National Park were largely sidelined during Zimbabwe's recent national elections, according to villagers and experts.

Hwange is on the frontlines of the conflict between human and wildlife as elephants and baboons damage crops, and hyenas prey on livestock. The district relies heavily on hunting revenues, which plummeted during COVID-19 lockdowns exacerbating problems.

“We suffered immense losses of opportunities and development projects when the pandemic halted trophy hunting,” says Abel Moyo, a former member of the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE).

Through CAMPFIRE, communities typically receive 50% of hunting permits sales – funneling around $70 million annually to fund projects like new clinics and schools, according to the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association.

But COVID-19 disruptions cost the safari industry nearly $100 million in lost revenue as international travel bans cancelled hunts. This dried up funding in marginalised areas where Rural District Councils (RDCs) derive over 90% of income from the wildlife sector.

“The impact on communities and conservation has been profound,” says Peter Ncube, an environmentalist residing in Hwange. “More robust policies are needed to ensure long-term protection of our wildlife and build resilience against future crises,” he adds.

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During campaigns, front-runners Zanu-PF and the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) emphasised economic revival but villagers note “politicians did not directly address our pressing conservation challenges.” Experts suggest partisan interests or lack of a green vision could explain the oversight.

“There is increased human-wildlife conflict due to mining near Hwange Park. But the government fund does not address root causes,” says analyst Fidelis Chima of Greater Hwange Residents Trust.

The Zanu-PF-led government — which promotes community ecotourism benefits — has faced criticism for weak protection efforts against poaching and habitat threats under its rule. Conservation groups are calling for biodiversity protection to feature more prominently in the country’s policies.

The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in an ecotourism industry reliant on foreign clientele. While disputes around last month’s election outcome linger, villagers hope the new government will overhaul strategies defending natural assets crucial for present and future livelihoods along Zimbabwe’s wildlife frontier.

“As communities, wildlife conservation issues are what we are keen to pursue. We hope incoming leaders will take this issue seriously,” says Malven Daka, Vostile Creatives Trust Team Leader.

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