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Mines threaten wildlife, sacred sites – and people

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BY VIMBAI CHINEMBIRI / GAMUCHIRAI MASIYIWA

In early 2020, communities around Hwange National Park, in southwest Zimbabwe, feared the worst.

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On the fringes of the park, not far from the popular Sinamatela wildlife resort, miners explored whether the area held enough coal to mine.

This part of Sinamatela, which the government labels as an Intensive Protection Zone, is home to about 45,800 elephants. Black rhino, which are critically endangered, also live there.

But in September, the Zimbabwean government ordered a stop to mining in protected areas.

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Conservationists breathed a sigh of relief. Not for long.

Environmental activists fear the new policy – which doesn’t carry the weight of law – has failed to shield tens of thousands of animals and sacred sites in protected areas, kindling conflict between humans and wildlife that has killed scores of people since last year.

Mining in protected areas is “increasingly becoming a usual occurrence, from both large scale and artisanal miners within protected areas,” according to a report published by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association, an organisation that focuses on research and policy.

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In other parts of the world, such as the American West, mining-related lung infections have afflicted some animals.

Electric cables have killed birds. Fish have died because of rerouted streams.

Protected areas in Zimbabwe are rich in gold and coal deposits, “so people have been moving in for economic gain,” said  Nqobizitha Ndlovu, the national legal and policy adviser at the environmental law association.

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In Zimbabwe, 64 protected areas include national parks, botanical reserves, sanctuaries, safaris and recreational parks, covering nearly 13% of the country’s land.

Early last year, locals spotted miners drilling in Hwange National Park.

Initially, they weren’t concerned, as they were used to seeing miners in the area.

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But they grew alarmed when, a few months later, the miners’ company produced a permit to explore for coal.

Park officials, safari owners, ordinary residents and community leaders led distress calls online, via the media and through community meetings challenging how the miners had won their permits.

Mining in protected areas can occur only with consent from the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, and Zimbabwe’s president, according to the Parks and Wildlife Act.

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 Activist Fidelis Chima, coordinator of the Greater Whange Residents Trust, together with the law association, took the government to court in September, arguing that officials hadn’t received such consent.

And two days later, the government halted mining in protected areas.

But the new policy isn’t a law.

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“In terms of the laws of the country, policies are generally not binding, so if the government issues a policy and [envisions] that that policy should be binding, it should then change that policy into a legislation,” Ndlovu saod.

Absent a law, mining persists in protected areas, Ndlovu said. These areas include Chimanimani, which covers 171 square kilometers  and is famous for its elegant mountains and Eland Sanctuary.

It also hosts, among other wildlife: zebra; klipspringer, a small antelope known for its rock-climbing ability; bushbuck; hyena; and leopard.

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“The area is basically occupied with illegal

[freelance]

miners,” Ndlovu says.

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Mining left a trail of destruction, including deforestation and open pits, which affected the fauna and flora that attract people to these parks, said Collen Sibanda, a tour guide in Chimanimani.

Miners disturbed tributaries and dug inside sacred caves, he said. They removed cave stones in search of gold.

Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, denied those claims.

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“We have been trying to protect the park from our end to avoid illegal mining problems,” Farawo said.

 “We don’t have such reports. We have asked people to bring evidence of such activities, but no one is forthcoming.”

Mining risks heightening conflict between humans and wildlife, as evidenced by a local company’s impact on a protected safari area 10 kilometers outside Hwange town, says a conservationist who requested anonymity for fear of retribution.

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“The animal habitat has been affected terribly because they tend to move toward human habitat because of the noise from mining and contaminated water,” said the conservationist.

In January, a mining dump truck knocked down two elephants, he says.

And elephants, crocodiles and buffalo killed 50 people nationwide in the first half of last year due to mining activities and human-wildlife conflict, according to a report by the Centre for Natural Resource Governance, a Zimbabwe-based research and advocacy organisation.

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Onesimo Moyo, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, said the agency plans to cancel all mining titles held in protected areas.

But that doesn’t put everyone at ease.

Government officials must better acquaint themselves with the sites to which they give special grants, says Chief Charles Nekatambe, of Sinamatela.

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“No one should mess with [our sacred places], or anger our ancestors,” he said. “There are cultural processes that are done before mining occurs. This should be respected.” – Global Press Journal

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Fastjet launches Bulawayo to Victoria Falls flights

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Fastjet Zimbabwe is set to expand its domestic route network with the introduction of flights from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, starting August 8.

The new route will operate four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

According to Nunurai Ndawana, spokesperson for Fastjet Zimbabwe, “The new Bulawayo to Victoria Falls flight strengthens our presence in Bulawayo and underscores our commitment to the development of tourism region.” Ndawana added, “Our four times a week flights will offer more travel opportunities and support both leisure and corporate travel between the two cities, reaffirming our position as a key airline partner in connecting the Matabeleland region.”

Vivian Ruwuya, Fastjet Zimbabwe’s Chief Commercial Officer, noted that “This has been a long time coming. We have been monitoring the development and traffic trends between the manufacturing city of Bulawayo and our tourism hub of Victoria Falls. The introduction of a scheduled service is a result of widespread consultative engagements and collaboration with key players in the industry.”

Fastjet Zimbabwe will deploy its Embraer fleet on the new route, offering customers a comfortable flight experience. The flight schedule is as follows:

– BUQ-VFA Flight FN8111: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, departing Bulawayo at 13:25 and arriving in Victoria Falls at 14:20.
– VFA-BUQ Flight FN8112: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, departing Victoria Falls at 14:50 and arriving in Bulawayo at 15:45.

 

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Wetlands conservation takes center stage as COP15 conference kicks off in Victoria Falls

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The highly anticipated Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (COP15) kicked off today, in Victoria Falls.

The conference brings together representatives from 172 countries to discuss critical wetland matters.

In a press briefing held yesterday evening, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Evelyn Ndlovu, welcomed delegates to the conference, emphasizing the importance of wetlands in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development.

“Wetland conservation is not an environmental luxury; it is a hydrological necessity, a climate imperative, and a development obligation,” Minister Ndlovu stressed.

The minister highlighted the alarming rate of wetland loss, citing the Global Wetlands Outlook report, which reveals that 37% of wetlands have been lost since the Convention’s establishment in 1971. She also noted that freshwater species populations have declined by 84% since 1970.

The minister emphasized Zimbabwe’s commitment to wetland conservation, announcing plans to designate five new Ramsar Sites by 2030 and restore 250 000 hectares of degraded wetlands.

The COP15 conference, which runs until July 31, aims to address pressing issues affecting the world’s wetlands. The conference will feature plenary sessions, regional meetings, and a field trip to Kasibo Wetland in Hwange.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is expected to officiate at the event.

The conference is expected to catalyze three key paradigm shifts: adopting the Victoria Falls Declaration, integrating wetland considerations into Nationally Determined Contributions and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, and embracing technological solutions through the launch of the Global Wetland Watch digital monitoring platform.

As the conference gets underway, all eyes are on Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, as global leaders gather to address the critical issue of wetlands conservation.

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Global leaders to gather in Zimbabwe for crucial wetlands conservation conference

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA 

In just a few days, the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) will convene in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, bringing together representatives from over 170 countries to discuss the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

Scheduled to take place from 23-31, July, 2025, the conference will address pressing issues affecting the world’s wetlands, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development.

The eight-day conference will feature a range of activities, including regional meetings, plenary sessions, and consideration of draft resolutions and recommendations. Key topics on the agenda include the Strategic Plan of the Convention 2025-2034, financial and budgetary matters, and the responsibilities and roles of the Standing Committee.

High-level dignitaries, including government ministers, international organization representatives, and civil society leaders, are expected to attend the conference. The event will provide a critical platform for international cooperation and coordination on wetland conservation and sustainable use.

The conference will also feature the presentation of the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award winners, recognizing outstanding achievements in wetland conservation and management.

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development, the COP15 conference is expected to produce significant outcomes and decisions that will shape the future of wetland management and conservation.

 

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