The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) has called for the urgent need to amend the Parks and Wildlife Act.
In a presentation during a recent capacity development workshop organized by Accountability Lab Zimbabwe and the Parliament of Zimbabwe in Kadoma recently, ZELA highlighted the critical context of a triple planetary crisis—climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss—that underscores the necessity for effective wildlife conservation laws.
ZELA pointed out that Zimbabwe, as a signatory to several international environmental agreements, is bound by protocols such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
In line with these commitments, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in December 2022, mandates ratifying states to enhance ecological connectivity to prevent further biodiversity loss. “The wildlife laws in Zimbabwe, particularly the Parks and Wildlife Act, need to be aligned with these international instruments,” ZELA said.
Originally enacted in 1975, the Act has undergone minimal updates despite significant advancements in wildlife conservation. Key issues such as restrictions on trade imposed by CITES, human-wildlife conflict (HWC), and the impact of mining in protected areas have strained wildlife regulation, necessitating comprehensive reform.
Domestically, Zimbabwe’s new Constitution includes environmental rights aimed at promoting conservation for sustainable economic growth. However, these provisions have yet to be integrated into the Parks and Wildlife Act. ZELA argued that the Act remains outdated, unable to address the evolving challenges and opportunities in wildlife conservation over the past two decades.
In response to these gaps, several Statutory Instruments (SIs) have been introduced to adapt to emerging trends within the wildlife legal framework. However, ZELA cautioned against further proliferation of Sis, arguing that it would exacerbate the fragmentation of wildlife laws.
Instead, they advocated for a consolidated Amendment Bill to streamline and update existing legislation. Key recommendations from ZELA included the provision of comprehensive definitions for critical terms such as “wildlife,” “honorary officer,” “wildlife trafficking,” “habitat,” and “habitat destruction.” They emphasized the importance of clear definitions to eliminate ambiguity and ensure effective law enforcement.
ZELA also highlighted the need to clearly define the “Appropriate Authority” responsible for responding to human-wildlife conflict incidents. This clarification is crucial for effective management and resolution of such conflicts.
Provisions should regulate community empowerment, use and access rights, habitat destruction, and the establishment of a compensation fund for human-wildlife conflict victims. Specific measures to combat wildlife trafficking and illegal wildlife trade should also be included.
