Environment, Climate, and Wildlife Minister, Sithembiso Nyoni, says current efforts to review the Parks and Wildlife Act are aimed at decentralising wildlife and environmental management with a focus on empowering local communities.
Addressing Parliament recently, Minister Nyoni said the initiative is expected to grant communities greater authority, with the proposed Bill detailing delegated authority from appropriate authorities.
“The current efforts to review the Parks and Wildlife Act is aimed at making sure that there is further decentralisation of ownership, benefits, and responsibility to the communities on wildlife and environment,” Nyoni said.
Highlighting Lupane District, Nyoni stressed its role in utilizing wildlife for economic benefit.
“Lupane is one of the districts with the appropriate authority where they can utilise wildlife within their area and derive benefits through activities such as hunting and photographic activities,” she said.
The district’s diverse institutions have made wildlife and the environment key components of local employment, with the Forestry Commission playing a significant role in providing jobs through hunting, timber harvesting, and farming activities.
“Lupane is one of the districts where communities benefited from the allocation of wildlife farms and most of them are currently into the business of hunting, thus earning revenue for themselves and their families,” Nyoni said.
Nyoni further underscored the ministry’s commitment to working with Lupane’s Rural District Council (RDC) and traditional leaders.
“We will continue working with the RDC of Lupane CAMPFIRE and traditional leaders to educate communities and conduct awareness and outreach programmes,” she said.
The focus will include supporting projects like borehole drilling, nutritional gardens, and infrastructure development.
Lupane RDC, awarded with CAMPFIRE appropriate authority status, is expected to play a key role in sustainable wildlife utilization and conservation, ensuring long-term benefits for both current and future generations.
