ZimParks says it is committed to protect Mana Pool...

ZimParks says it is committed to protect Mana Pools

Zim Now Writer

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority on Friday said it is committed to protect the Mana Pools area following increasing interest by miners to explore the area for mining opportunities.

This comes after a mining company, Shalom Mining applied for permission to explore oil and gas in Mana Pools.

Speaking on Friday during the signing of the Lower Zambezi Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area memorandum of understanding between Zimbabwe and Zambia, ZimParks director general Fulton Mangwanya said the conservation of natural resources required collaboration.

‘‘The conservation of natural resources across fronts is challenging hence the need for cooperation, coordination, and collaboration to enhance law enforcement capacities and improve resource mobilisation for adequate protection of our natural resources.

‘‘Zimbabwe cannot conserve these natural resources as an island but requires models to manage the shared natural resources through joint law enforcement and monitoring, creating tourism opportunities and proffering solutions to boundary disputes.

“Given the increased volume of illegal trade and trafficking of species and specimens of wild flora and fauna, the high level of alleged or reported infractions, the signing of the MoU and subsequent formalisation of the LOZAMAP TFCA could mean an increased level of vigilance by parties, and deter unscrupulous activities between the protected areas involved," he said.

Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry minister Nqobizitha Ndlovu said the MOU was part of efforts to implement the Sadc Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement of 1999.

Mana Pools National Park, which lies on the southern bank of the Zambezi River, is a designated World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.