Zimbabwe represented in Namibia for KAZA TFCA wildlife conservation meeting

Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting plant and animal species and their habitats. As part of the world’s ecosystems, wildlife provides balance and stability to natural processes.

Zimbabwe is at the heart of conserving wildlife. Yesterday there was a meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (COSO) for Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) in Katima Mulilo Namibia.

The Permanent Secretary for Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Zimbabwe Ambassador Raphael Tayerera Faranisi was represented by the National Coordinator and Chief Director for Environment, Climate, and Meteorological Services, Prof Prosper Matondi.

The KAZA TFCA was established in 2011 by its member states Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This conservation area is considered to be an important means to create economic development and conserve the unique biodiversity within the region with a particular focus on large-scale migrations of megafauna.

KAZA brought each nation’s government together to work in tandem with various environmental groups to create what remains the world’s largest transboundary conversation landscape. Their shared ambitions are to protect the region’s wildlife, strengthen local communities and ensure they benefit from wildlife on their land, and promote a premier sustainable tourism experience to help underpin these efforts and also reveal how interconnected each goal is to ensuring KAZA’s success.

One of the main challenges the KAZA TFCA is facing is how to control human-wildlife conflict and accommodate growing human populations, increase wildlife populations, and link protected areas.

Also in attendance at the meeting of COSO is the Director General for Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) Dr. Fulton Mangwanya, Director General for Forestry Commission Mr. Abednigo Marufu, Director of Investments for Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Mr. Reason Machigere, Regional Manager for EMA Matebeleland North Province Mrs. C. Zuze and other officials from member states.