The Concept

This proposal defines support to the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority’s current protection and management programme in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe.

1. Enhanced planning framework
   
2. Infrastructure refurbishment
3. Establishment of wildlife protection units
4. Environmental stewardship empowerment through
   training and skills transfer
5. Monitoring

Background

Africa is resource rich but economically poor . There are many reasons; some of these are discussed below.

1 A colonial legacy, unstable investment climates, poor governance and irrational economic policies all contribute to degrading its intrinsically valuable and economically important, natural wealth.

2 Ironically, all of the above impacts most severely on those living in extreme poverty. Such people experience the worst of the above consequences, whilst having the least resources with which to combat these effects.

3 This situation leads to unsustainable use of abundant natural resources, which include water, woodlands, wildlife and grasslands, in attempts to meet basic livelihood needs.

4 Severe degradation usually follows unstustainable use, thereby removing all chances of wildlife and other natural resources providing the means of survival that rural people so desparately seek.

5 However, natural resource wealth is Africa's real comparative economic advantage and it stands to be lost if the situation remains unchallenged.

The Proposal

1 Specifically, this Proposed Wildlife Protection Project intends to support resource management amongst linked protected areas in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe

2 Focus on the development and strengthening of protected areas.

3 It is intended to realise above-average percentage return per dollar invested through the Project's simplicity, clearly structured channels of implementation, and through the recognition and application of an extensive and highly-experienced skills base.

4 Such an approach will assist overcoming the historic and traditional burdens of bureaucracy and inefficiency common to public and non-governmental donor-funded approaches.

5 The Tashinga Initiative invites international philanthropic funding from individual trusts, funding agencies, and multi-national corporations who wish to make a vital difference to one of our planet's unique, beautiful and wildlife abundant areas.

Benefits and Beneficiaries

1 Enhancement and strengthening of the field operations of the lead Agency, the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, mandated with the responsibility of wildlife management and protection within Zimbabwe, in the area defined by The Tashinga Initiative.

2 This project will support communities involved in rural District Council initiated community-based programme's for conservation and natural resource management, such as CAMPFIRE, in the sustainable and beneficial use of their own wildlife

3 Development and promotion of the wildlife photographic and eco-tourism industry as well the sustainability of safari trophy hunting and commercial trade in wildlife products as an economically viable option for land use in southern Africa.

Back To Top