MARTIN MAWAYA
HARARE-Zimbabwe and Zambia have heightened transnational cooperation in the protection of natural resources and environment as the two sister republics moved to strengthen ecosystem management.
The two countries Environment Ministers, Nomangaliso Ndlovu and Rodney Sikumba yesterday in Harare, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) to establish, coordinate development and management of the Lower Zambezi Mana Pools (LOZAMAP) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA).
The agreement is in line with the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement that urges States to partner, collaborate and promote the conservation of shared wildlife resources through establishment of TFCAs.
The SADC-TFCA framework recognizes that management of shared natural resources across international boundaries has “the potential to promote peace and stability, ensure the sustainable utilization of natural resources, provide economic development opportunities through nature-based tourism and address food and nutrition security”.
Evidently, the tourism sector contributes to the Gross Domestic Product which is feasible through the utilization of natural resources under tourism development, hence the LOZAMAP-TFCA is a catalyst towards leveraging economic growth.
In a joint statement the two countries said the signing ceremony shows a joint resolve and dedication to advance mutual partnership in the area of transboundary collaboration through the conservation of natural resources.
“Represented by the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Minister of Tourism, and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe through the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formally establish the TFCA.
“The TFCA measures approximately 17745km2 covering main National Parks (Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools), Game Management Areas, Safari Areas, Communal land, private land and conservancies,” said the Ministers in a joint statement.
Among other issues the agreement is set to enhance ecosystem integrity and natural ecological processes by harmonizing environmental management procedures between the parties thereby removing artificial barriers impeding natural movement of animals.
It further prioritizes the sustainable utilization of natural resources for the benefit of the community thereby impacting livelihoods.
Zimbabwe’s Environment Minister, Ndlovu told the media that the initiative opens up new opportunities for the two countries and the local community to participate in sustainable development programs as enunciated in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Zambia Minister of Tourism, Sikumba said the joint collaboration will ensure sustainable development of wildlife resources in the Lower Zambezi Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area (LOZAMAP-TFCA).
He said the TFCA actualized after 13 years symbolizes partnership to jointly manage and promote untapped landscape that is greatly endowed with great beauty and wildness.
“The LOZAMAP–TFCA is not the first landscape in which Zambia and Zimbabwe will be jointly managing a conservation area, but the Kavango Zambezi transfrontier conservation area is another landscape in which the two sister countries have been working closely together in the sustainable management of natural resources.
“Therefore, it is critical to note that the formalisation of the LOZAMAP – TFCA agreement today is not evidence of the start of a new relationship between the two countries, but rather, unquestionable evidence of the continued shared commitment to the conservation of wildlife as well as the sustainable utilization of shared resources by the two countries.
This achievement today will inevitably promote peace and stability as recognized by the SADC–TFCA framework ,” said Sikumba.
