Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe occupies 390,757 km² of land in south central Africa, between the Limpopo and Zambezi rivers. The land-locked country is bounded by Mozambique to the east, Zambia to the north and north west, South Africa to the south, and to the south west by Botswana. It lies wholly within the tropics and is part of the great plateau which traverses Africa.

The climate of Zimbabwe is temperate. The winter season from May to August is cool and dry, with temperatures between 13 to 20 degrees Celsius. Summer, which is from December to February temperatures vary between 25 and 30 °C and the rainy season normally stretches from November to March. Parts of the country suffer regular periods of drought.The average monthly rainfall is 196mm in summer and 10mm in winter.

Zimbabwe has a population of 12,754,000 (latest census). The official and business language is English, with Shona and Ndebele also widely spoken. Harare is the capital city of Zimbabwe, a vital commercial and industrial business Centre; other centres include Bulawayo and Mutare. Formerly Southern Rhodesia, Zimbabwe attained independence from Britain in 1980. Elections are held every 5 years and the President is the Head of State.

Zimbabwe's economy is dependent on agricultural products including tobacco, cotton and sugar cane. Major export commodities are tobacco and horticulture. Smaller crops like sugar, tea, coffee, cotton, seeds, maize, small grains and oilseeds are also exported. The sector is an important contributor to the country’s export activities, with markets in America, Europe, Africa and the Far East. Mining contributes 4.3 % to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employs 7 % of the country’s labour force and earns 40 % of the foreign exchange. Zimbabwe is richly endowed with mineral resources, over 40 different types of minerals are mined in the country, including the major minerals gold, chrome, asbestos, coal, iron ore, nickel, copper, diamonds and platinum. Other contributors to the economy are industry and cattle farming. The principal manufactured exports include ferro-alloys, clothing, metal products, chemicals, plastics and cotton-lint. Livestock agriculture (cattle) is one of the country’s foremost economic activities. At present Zimbabwe is facing severe socio-economic difficulties including hyper-inflation, negative real interest rates, and a chronic shortage of foreign exchange.

Tourism contributes about 5 % of GDP and directly and indirectly employs over 83,000 people. Zimbabwe has one of the more diversified tourism resource bases in the SADC region. However, despite all its tourist attractions, very limited development has occurred since 1996 owing to inadequate support and few promotional activities for the sector. Wildlife and ecotourism are the mainstays of the sector but, in addition, the majestic Victoria Falls, the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, home tothe ancient rulers of Zimbabwe, the Matopos National Park, Lake Kariba, Mana Pools, and the scenic Eastern Highlands are some of the most favoured tourist sites.

Development of landscape level GLTFCA Elephant Management Framework

The project brief for this study is to develop a landscape level Elephant Management Framework for the GLTFCA.

GLTFCA Wildlife Translocation Programme

Re-stocking of protected areas in the GLTFCA components of Mozambique

GLTFCA Wildlife Translocation Policy

The Policy addresses the translocation of wildlife within the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), which covers areas within Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Development of GLTFCA Joint Strategic Management Strategy

The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park & Conservation Area is planning to develop a Joint Strategic Management Plan to guide its implementation over the next 10-year period beginning in 2021. This Plan has a ten (10) year horizon that will be operationalised through implementation and action plans spanning two consecutive five (5) year periods.

Further implementation of GLTFCA Institutional Reform Strategy

The Institutional Reform Strategy consist of the following two key interventions: (1) Revised role of the JMB in order to be more focused on policy development, advocacy and overall guidance to the initiative; (2) Establishment of geographically located Joint Park Management Committees (JPMCs) under the JMB in order to facilitate effective implementation of the initiative; and (3) Coordination of GLTFCA Programme and Activities through an International Coordinator and / or GLTFCA Secretariat.

Herding for Health

CSA rangeland restoration has evolved from over a decade of experience in studying, developing and implementing integrated rangeland management, restoration and stewardship approaches at landscape level within three southern African biomes and biodiversity hotspots: succulent karoo, mesic grassland, and semi-arid savannahs. These sites were the testing ground for implementation of rangeland management strategies in partnership with communal livestock farmers in some of the most rural, impoverished yet biodiverse environments of the region.

Implementation of the Multi-Species Action Plan for African Eurasian Vultures

R1.1 Coordinated mechanisms established for detecting, registering, collecting evidence, managing and monitoring vulture poisoning incidents (Chobe NP, Botswana; Hwange NP, Zimbabwe; and Kafue NP, Zambia) 
R.1.2 Policy and legislation strengthened to protect vultures and other wildlife
a. Policy and legislation influenced to protect vultures and other wildlife from poisoning in the 3 focal countries.
b. Law enforcement agencies supported to bridge the policy implementation gap.
R1.3 Local communities engaged in tackling vulture poisoning 

Pro-nature Enterprises for the People of Southern Africa

The project seeks to provide vital lessons on how communities, government institutions & tourism operators can collaborate to ensure proper & inclusive management of shared fisheries resources in a transboundary context. 

Livestock Production Systems in Zimbabwe

Project specifically aims to promote increased adoption of climate relevant innovations in livestock based production systems & improved surveillance & control of livestock diseases. Activities will help tackle human nutrition challenges, increase market profitability, diversify investments of income from livestock & improve animal health.

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