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Policy for Wild Life

Country/Territory
Zimbabwe
Document type
Date
1999
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Subject
Environment gen., Fisheries, Wild species & ecosystems
Keyword
Biodiversity EIA Environmental standards Aquatic animals Coastal zone management Fishery management and conservation Policy/planning Protection of environment Animal welfare Birds Hunting/capture Ecosystem preservation Governance Institution National parks Protected area Protection of habitats Protection of species Research Sustainable development Sustainable use Tourism Trade in species Wild fauna Wildlife products
Geographical area
Africa, AFRICA FAO, Eastern Africa, Landlocked Developing Countries
Abstract

The State of Zimbabwe made an earlier commitment to conservation and resolved to enhance sustainable rural prosperity and more equitable apportionment of the benefits from the proper use of the country’s wildlife. In making this Policy, the government intends to; maintain the parks and wildlife estate for the conservation of the nation’s wildlife resources and biological diversity; ensure the adequate protection of major ecosystems or key species and habitats which are not represented in the estate through various measures including biosphere reserves; encourage the conservation of wildlife and habitats outside the estate, recognizing that this is likely to be successful only if wildlife can be used profitably and the primary benefits accrue to people with wildlife on their land; insist upon environmental impact assessments for all developments in accordance with the Zimbabwe Environmental Impact Assessment Policy as enunciated from time to time for all developments; use the estate to promote a rurally based wildlife industry; harmonise the management of the parks and wildlife estate with the efforts of neighboring communities who are developing wildlife as a sustainable form of land use; transform land use in the remote communal lands of Zimbabwe through its Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE), under which rural peoples have the authority to manage their wildlife and other natural resources and benefit directly from so doing; maintain its commitment to wildlife research, among others. The Policy provides that the success of conservation in the country depends on the recognition that the appropriate authorities are the best custodians of the natural resources and should use these resources in a sustainable manner. As such, there should be the establishment of areas known as parks and wildlife estates. These estates are the cornerstone of the tourist industry and should be used for tourism in terms of a national tourism strategy. The Policy provides for physical development of the estates, which shall take cognizance of ecological values; all developments are subject to environmental impact assessment. The conservation of wildlife also extends to wild animals and their habitats outside the parks and wildlife estates. Amongst others, the Policy further provides for sports hunting and encourages the legal trade in wildlife and its products while taking appropriate measures to prevent illegal practices. The government also considers the conservation of indigenous and non indigenous fish and their habitats in the country as an integral part of its programme to conserve biological diversity. As such, it controls over-exploitation of aquatic species, protection of aquatic habitats and the introduction of exotic fish species, among others.

Full text
English
Website
www.swm-programme.info