Tourism and Environment
Parcelling of land in Hwange National Park sparks fears of ecological disaster
BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Conservationists in Hwange district are sounding the alarm over the parcelling of land to Chinese and land barons for mining and development in the ecologically sensitive Hwange and Victoria Falls National Park, home to the rainforest.
During a recent parliament session, Larry Norton, a tourism player from the Larry Norton Art Gallery, stressed the need for careful consideration of the Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill (H.B.1, 2024), which aims to address human-wildlife conflicts and sustainable conservation.
“In recent years, many of us who live in Hwange have watched what’s happened on the edges of Sinamatella… can you imagine that hole at the edge of Hwange and in the middle of Hwange National Park?” Norton quizzed.
Who is going to come into that park? It’s impossible… we have to be very very careful, pay attention to how the laws can be utilized, manipulated, taken advantage of, because the losers could be our children,” Norton warned.
“We also have here a living animal, the Victoria Falls itself and there has been a dismantling of the buffer area around those falls, and the protection of the Victoria Falls itself.
“In the last two years, due to an oversight of leadership, in many different departments, it’s unbelievable…some of us here have fought a court case to protect that area for our children, and l honestly appeal to you to pay attention to what we are doing for the long term.”
Sithandazile Siwela, a female tour guide in Hwange and Victoria Falls National Parks, also expressed concerns about the extinction of wildlife and called for stiffer penalties.
“We have seen the extinction of the pangolin, the black rhinoceros… I want us to send a message to these legislators: can you guys review those penalties that are being given to offenders? We will be seeing in the next decade the animals that you are saying – the black and white rhinoceros – we will be seeing them in the books, because we do not have them in the park.”
Conservationists are seeking clarity on how Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority plans to handle these concerns.
They are also urging the government to revisit the bill and address their concerns to ensure that wildlife conservation benefits both people and wildlife.
Norton emphasized the importance of taking time to gather feedback and considering the pros and cons of the bill to prevent manipulation by land barons or corrupt individuals.
BY STAFF REPORTER
A suspected poaching incident has occurred in Hwange National Park, where three lions were found dead with their heads and legs chopped off.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is investigating the killing of the lions at Nyamandlovu pan, Hwange Main Camp.
According to an internal memo, three carcasses were discovered on Tuesday with their heads and legs chopped off, and bullet holes from a heavy calibre rifle were found on the carcasses.
The incident is currently under investigation by the K9 section.
The Hwange National Park, home to over 60 000 elephants, 150 other mammal species, and 400 bird species, is a country’s crucial area for wildlife conservation.
Conservationists say the park’s lion population is already under threat, and this incident only adds to the concern.
The Hwange Lion Research Project, run by the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit of Oxford University, has been monitoring the lion population for 15 years.
The project focuses on understanding lion behavior, ecology, and demographics to inform conservation strategies. Additionally, the SATIB Conservation Trust supports the project through funding and material support.
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