ZIMBABWE - Destruction of wildlife, the environment and sensitive eco-systems

THE PEACE PARKS

When looking at the destruction from a purely economic point of view it is even more distressing to realize that this south-eastern corner of Zimbabwe stands to benefit the most from the recent Trans-Frontier Park proposals.

In November last year, the three governments of South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe signed an agreement that is unprecedented in the history of African conservation. The formation of the Gaza-Kruger-Gonarezhou (GKG) Trans-Frontier Park not only commits each country to advancing the cause of African conservation and regional development it will also secure the future for one of the largest wilderness areas in the world.

The planned Peace Park includes a large slice of state owned land in Mozambique's Coutada 16 conservation area in Gaza Province, South Africa's showcase Kruger National Park plus adjacent private reserves, and Zimbabwe's second largest game park, the Gonarezhou National Park and its wildlife environs. In total the area concerned is about the size of the Netherlands, covering just over 35,000 square kilometres.

It is also intended that much of the Park's surrounding land will be included into a wider Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) in which similar wildlife-based land uses will be conducted by a variety of private and communal landowners under some form of joint management umbrella. In addition to promoting local bio-diversity, one of the project's most important aims is to ensure surrounding communities directly benefit from their proximity to the GKG park, raising regional living standards

through the sustainable use of wildlife. Zimbabwe's Minister for Environment and Tourism, Francis Nhema, declared, 'We need to develop management plans for these targeted TFCAs which will woo the essential investment, create the smart partnerships symbolized by mutual benefits and provide political leadership and an enabling environment for such developments to be a reality'. In his closing remarks he stated, 'If we succeed in this initiative I expect that the Gaza-Kruger-Gonarezhou Trans-Frontier Park cannot only be seen as a symbol of regional co-operation among our countries but can be viewed as a 'showcase' which other states on our continent will emulate'.
Whilst the agreement was being signed, sections of Zimbabwe's 'showcase' had been occupied, cleared and set alight. Josiah Hungwe, the notorious Governor of Masvingo, has been encouraging families of the previously evicted Shangaan, as well as opportunistic 'war veterans' to takeover 11,000 hectares within Gonarezhou north and south of the Runde river. Given the government's blessing, the situation escalated as Agritex (the Agricultural and Rural Extension Department) officially began demarcating and pegging out plots for allocation within the Park. It appeared that the whole invasion had been carried out without the permission - or knowledge - of the Ministry. In fact Francis Nhema initially denied the incident altogether - 'There is nothing like that. What has happened is that some cattle strayed into the park but our guys from Parks are working on that. There are no people physically within the park at all.'