The Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife has announced plans are underway for the establishment of a Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund (HWCRF). The fund aims to provide much-needed support to those affected by conflicts between humans and wildlife in Zimbabwe.
According to Environment Minister Dr. Sithembiso Nyoni, the fund will offer assistance to the families of individuals who have lost their lives as a result of wildlife encounters, as well as provide relief to those who have been injured or maimed.
“The government is committed to addressing the challenges posed by human-wildlife conflict. Through the establishment of the Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund, we aim to provide support to those who have been affected by these conflicts, while also involving local communities in the management of the fund,” said Nyoni
She said the fund will be managed by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), in collaboration with local communities. Dr. Nyoni emphasized the importance of community consultation in determining the structure and management of the fund, as well as the criteria for evaluating and assessing applications for relief.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Dr. Nyoni pointed out that the current Parks Act lacks provisions for compensating victims of human-wildlife conflict and to address this gap, the government is expediting the Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill, which will establish the HWCRF and provide a legal framework for compensation.
“It is imperative that we provide support to those affected by human-wildlife conflict. The establishment of the Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund is a crucial step towards mitigating the impact of these conflicts on individuals and communities,” she said
Financing for the fund, Minister Nyoni said will come from various sources, including allocations from the national treasury and revenue generated from wildlife quotas and carbon credits.
