NEW: Zimparks, African Parks partnership bears fruit

Sunday Mail Reporter

COMMUNITIES surrounding Matusadona National Park are reaping the rewards from a partnership between Zimparks and African Parks, as hundreds of people are now employed, while locals benefit from a feeding scheme initiated by the wildlife authority.

Matusadona has witnessed a massive transformation, thanks to a US$12 million injection from African Parks, over the last four years.

Zimparks invited African Parks to manage the park in 2019, and a 20-year agreement was signed with a vision to revive it for wildlife and communities.

Flanked by Lake Kariba and two rivers – Ume and Sanyati – Matusadona has seen a decent rise in the number of tourists, as a result of infrastructure development.

Zimparks spokesperson, Mr Tinashe Farawo, said poaching and human and wildlife conflicts were now under control.

“You are aware we entered into the partnership in 2019, and the developments as you can see are massive, we have witnessed the biggest infrastructure development ever at this park,” said Mr Farawo.

“This partnership is bearing fruit, as we have employed hundreds of people from the local community, mainly from the four Chiefs that surround this park. We are also doing a lot of work within the community, in terms of supporting the schools.”

Communities under Chiefs Musakarumba, Nebire, Mola and Negande surround Matusadona National Park.

“We have a fully dedicated team which works with the community to make sure that their concerns are addressed,” said Mr Farawo. “These are the people who bear the brunt of sharing borders with wildlife.

“When animals leave the park searching for food or water, they can attack the people and destroy their crops.”

Since the partnership came into effect, only one elephant has been killed by poachers.

Fishing camps are now organized as Zimparks law enforcement agents have flushed out illegal fishers.

“The biggest resource which is around this area is fish, and we are trying to reorganise most of the fishing camps, flushing out illegal occupants within our fishing camps,” he said.

“We have been capacitated by this partnership with African Parks and our law enforcement is now top class, we are visible everywhere, making sure that we work with the community for their benefit.

“We are trying to sustainably manage this resource, not only for the benefit of this generation, but for the future generation and I think on that score over the last four years we have extremely done well.

“We have also been witnessing an increase in terms of visitors, accommodation facilities have been spruced up and it’s affordable. With US$25 dollars you can spend a night in a luxurious tent, and enjoy nature.”