Legal Frameworks for Managing Wildlife Threats in Zimbabwe Biosphere

CIRCLE | www.acu.ac.uk/circle
Legal and institutional frameworks for natural resources
management: implications for managing threats to wildlife and
biodiversity in the Middle Zambezi Biosphere Reserve, Zimbabwe
Presenter: Olga L. Kupika (Msc, Phd Student, CIRCLE Visiting Fellow, UNISA)
Co-author: Edson Gandiwa (PhD)
SAWMA Symposium 2015 (6-10 September): Responsible wildlife management: A key to biodiversity conservation

Layout of presentation
• Introduction and background to the study
• Research questions
• Materials and methods
• Results
• Conclusions and recommendations
• Acknowledgements

Introduction and background
• UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) programme launched in 1970 (UNESCO,
2011)
• First programme to promote human – environment relationships (bottom-up
approach)
• Based on principles of sustainable utilisation ad sound science
• governed by a "soft law" — the Statutory Framework for Biosphere Reserves—
adopted by the UNESCO General Conference (UNESCO, 2011).
• most countries have not enacted special national legislation for biosphere reserves
• use existing legal frameworks for nature protection, land/water management .(UNESCO, 2011)

Functions of a biosphere reserve

Introduction and background
• The Middle Zambezi Biosphere Reserve (MZBR) under threat from a myriad of
anthropogenic stressors
• Threats include:
 habitat encroachment
 land degradation
 climate change,
 deforestation,
 poaching and illegal harvesting of resources.
• Volatile land tenure status in the transition zone
• posing accountability issues with respect to environmental management

• Kariba corridor has numerous threatened and endangered species e.g. African
elephant, black Rhino (Diceros bicornis), the painted wild dog, Lycaon pictus and
the Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii),lion Panthera leo, cheetah Panthera pardus
Hippopotamus, Lappet-faced vulture, Southern ground hornbill,
• Miombo woodlands also under threat from anthropogenic disturbances
• Need to enact national and local laws and policies to mitigate threats

Research Questions
1. To what extent do legal and institutional frameworks for natural resource
management address such threats to biodiversity and the need for responsible
wildlife management within the Middle Zambezi biosphere reserve?
2. What programmes, projects or strategies have been put in place in pursuit of
the goals of sustainable utilisation of wildlife resources?

Description of study area
• Located 16°09’52’’S, 29°20’26’’E Central Zambezi Valley
• 2010, UNESCO designated about 44000km² of land within the Zambezi valley as a
biosphere zone (GOZ, 2010)
• Part of this area includes Mana Pools National Park which was designated as natural
world heritage serial sites in 1984 (UNEP, 2011).
• The MZBR includes riverine and terrestrial ecosystems unique to the subcontinent
Source:http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?mode=all&code=ZIM+01

Description of study area
• flora consist of Colophospermum/Combretum/Terminalia woodland and the
Zambezi riparian forest, Dry savannah deciduous Brachystegia woodland
• At Mana Pools, it comprises the only flood plain ecosystem left in the Middle
Zambezi.
Miombo woodland
floodplain

Location and extent of Middle Zambezi Biosphere Reserve
Source: https://www.bfn.de/fileadmin/MDB/documents/themen/internationalernaturschutz/2011-AfriBR-11-Nduku-Zimbabwe.pdf

Terrestrial and aquatic resources in the MZBR
Kariba Dam
birds
African elephant
impala
Zambezi River

Data collection and analysis
• Mixed methods approach
• purposive sampling of documents via internet, national and local government
publications on natural resources management and biodiversity related laws and
policies; technical reports
• Field observations
• Case study approach gather empirical data from semi-structured questionnaires and key
informant interviews of traditional leadership, government officials, local NGOs, wildlife
experts.
• Data analysis: thematic analysis; content analysis; frequency counts, evidence analysis

RESULTS

Biodiversity threats, issues and Concerns
poaching
Invasive species( Indigofera tinctoria)
Tree loss
siltation
Invasive species( Croton spp.)

Other threats...........
• Climate change
• Wood poaching
• Human wildlife conflict
• Hunting Pressure
• illegal harvesting of resources
• Uncontrolled veld fires
• Habitat encroachment
• Tourism over development
• Gold Panning (Prospecting licence for Rukomechi river)
• Fossil Sites

International/regional policies and agreements
International / regional policies and agreements Provision
CITES (accession to the convention) regulate trade in endangered or threatened species. Of importance are elephant,
crocodile and leopard
CBD (ratified) Conservation, sustainable utilisation of biodiversity and access and benefit sharing
Ramsar conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
CMS (Bonn Convention) conserve the populations and habitats of migratory
species
SADC Regional Biodiversity Strategy Section 2.3 Page 59 Responses to biodiversity threats in the SADC region
SADC Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law
Enforcement
Combat illegal harvesting of resources; policy measures to promote conservation and
sustainable use
SADC Protocol on Fisheries Protect responsible & sustainable use of living aquatic resources & aquatic
ecosystems of interest to state parties

SADC Protocol on Forestry development, conservation, sustainable management and utilisation of all types of
forests and trees, and trade in forest products throughout the Region.
Revised Protocol on Shared Water
courses( revised) 2000
Protection of shared watercourses, harmonisation of policies
SADC Protocol on the Development of
Tourism
To optimise utilisation of resources in an environmentally friendly manner
World Heritage Convention (ratified) protection of the world’s cultural and natural heritage places for the benefit of present
and future generations.
UNFCCC (ratified) stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would
prevent
dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system........ level should be
achieved within a time-frame sufficient o allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate
change
Zambezi River Authority
Act, No. 17 of 1987
The Act provides for the interstate agreement between Zambia and Zimbabwe relating to
the
utilisation of the Zambezi River (Kariba Dam).
Convention to Combat Desertification
(Signed, ratified)
The destructive forces of desertification, climate change and biodiversity loss

National Policies related to natural resources management
Policy/Acts Provisions for biodiversity threats
Policy for Wildlife in Zimbabwe 1992 states that Government will take the necessary legal and enforcement measures to
prevent the illegal use of wildlife.
Wildlife Based Land Reform Policy facilitate wildlife-based land reform to ensure profitable, equitable and sustainable use
of wildlife resources, particularly in areas where agricultural potential is limited.
Natural Resources Act (Chapter 150) outlines national strategies for the conservation and enhancement of natural resources.
Mines and Minerals Act 1961
(Chapter 21:05) Act
regulates the acquisition of mining rights, prospecting for and extraction of minerals,
and decommissioning of mining works.
National Museums and Monuments Act Through the Act the Minister may declare National Monuments. The discovery of any
ancient monument or relic must be declared to the National Museums and Monuments
Board by the discoverer or the owner or occupier where the relic occurs. The state can
acquire the land on which the monument or relic occurs for its preservation or analysis.

National Policies/Acts
National Environmental Policy and Strategies of 2009 preserve the broad spectrum of biological diversity so as to sustain the long-term ability of
natural resources to meet the basic needs of people, enhance food security, reduce poverty and
improve the general standard of living of Zimbabweans’
Environmental Management Act 2002 creates a framework environmental management, makes provision for the formulation of
environmental quality standards (e.g. air, water, noise, effluents, waste and hazardous substances),
and promotes the development of national environmental policies, plans and strategies.
EIA Policy, August 1997 requires the responsible authorities not to grant permits to projects that are required to have an
EIA before such an EIA has been undertaken, reviewed and accepted
Water Act, 2003
(Chapter 20:24)
The Act is for the monitoring and management of all surface and underground water resources. Use
of water from designated river systems is controlled through the National Water Authority. This
includes underground water.
Constitution of Zimbabwe ( no. 20 Act) 2013 defining citizens’ basic and fundamental rights, including those over natural
resources.

National Policies related to natural resources management
Provisions to address biodiversity threats
Zimbabwe national climate change response Strategy Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Parks and Wildlife Act ( Chapter 20:14) 1996 The Act establishes national parks, botanical reserves and gardens, sanctuaries, safari areas and
recreational parks; provides for the conservation and control of wildlife, fish and plants; and
designates specially protected animals and indigenous plants.
National Museums and Monuments Act ( Chapter 25:11) 2001 Protection of monuments
Forest Act ( Chapter 19:05) 1949 ( as amended in 2002) The Act provides for demarcating forests and nature reserves, conserving timber resources,
regulating trade in forest produce, and regulating the burning of vegetation.
Trapping of Animals (Control)
Act, 1974 (Chapter 20:21)
The Act prohibits making, possessing or using certain types of traps, and specifies the purposes for
which animal trapping is permitted.
Locust Control Act, 1971 (Chapter 19:06) The Act regulates the control of locusts.
Plant Pests and Diseases Act,
1959 (Chapter 19:08)
The Act provides for the eradication and prevention of the spread of plant pests and diseases.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (Chapter 19:09) The Act prohibits activities considered cruel to animals
Rural District Councils Act ( Chapter 29:13) 1988 The Act allows for the establishment of Rural District Councils responsible for initiating and regulating
development in rural areas.
Communal Land and Forest Produce Act ( Chapter 19:04) 1987 The Act controls the use of wood resources within communal lands. Such resources are only for the
domestic use of the residents.

Role of Institutions
• State agencies and associated institutions responsible for policy formulation and
implementation laws and policies:
 Local Communities
 Zimbabwean Government
 Local Government- Hurungwe and Kariba RDC
 Traditional Authorities chiefs, village head
 Non Government Organizations (WEZ, ZAMSOC, MHA)
 Private sector e.g. tour operators, Phundundu Safaris
 Research and education Institutions e.g. UZLK , CUT, Rifa Education Camp
 National and International Financiers

• Parks
• ULKRS: (University of Zimbabwe Lake Kariba Research
Station)
• Zambezi Society (ZAMSOC) (education, awareness,
carnivore research, rhino monitoring)
• Tour Operators Association
• Environmental Educational NGOs
• EMA
• Commercial fisheries
• RDC
• Industry. Lake harvest to organise.
• CAMPFIRE
• WEZ- FEE
Other stakeholders

PROGRAMMES and PROJECTS

The Kariba REDD+
project.
•mitigate climate change
•contribute to the sustainable
development of local
communities
•conserve biodiversity.
Source: http://www.carbongreenafrica.net/our-projects/kariba-redd-project.html

Projects : Case study from Mana Pools National Park & Nyamakate Resettlement Area
• protection of soils and riverine
ecosystems
• Climate change
adaptation( supporting farmers in
innovative adaptation)
• Save forests
• Minimise pollution
Sustainable gardening
Carry In carry Out Policy
Solar Project

Conclusion and recommendations
• International and regional initiatives mention/ address some of the issues/
threats to biodiversity
• Regional, national and local policies peripheral mention or do not mention
some key threats to biodiversity e.g. climate change, poaching/ illegal
harversting
• Projects present but limited to a few members of the community to address
issues related to illegal harvesting of resources
• Massive deforestation (tobbaco farmers) threatens miombo woodlands
• Community participation limited especially in Hurungwe District

Recommendations
• Review national policies, laws and local authorities’ by-laws to incorporate
management of threats to biodiversity
• there is need to mainstream biodiversity threats, particularly poaching,
illegal harvesting of wildlife resources and climate change into local
policies
• National and local natural resources management institutions should be
reviewed in order to integrate strategies to mitigate threats to wildlife and
biodiversity.

Acknowledgements
“This research is supported by funding from the Department for International
Development (DfID) under the Climate Impact Research Capacity and
Leadership Enhancement (CIRCLE) programme”

THANK YOU, NDATENDA

Legal Frameworks for Managing Wildlife Threats in Zimbabwe Biosphere

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