Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has agreed with Chiredzi Rural District Council to disband the community-run Malipati Safari Area in southern Chikombedzi following its incorporation under the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust. Malipati Safari Area used to benefit local villagers under the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (campfire).
Its disbanding was being stalled by haggling between Chiredzi RDC and Zimparks.
Zimparks last year, sealed a deal with Frankfurt Zoological Society to transform the wildlife-rich Gonarezhou National Park at the same time disband all sport hunting facilities around the sanctuary.
Addressing participants during a Chiredzi RDC full council meeting recently, council chair Alderman Edward Matsilele revealed the impending demolition of campsites in the Malipati Safari Area.
“Malipati Safari Area issues have been concluded and hunting in the area has stopped completely. The camp is to be demolished by the end of next month because Zimparks has indicated that its continued presence is not in their plans,” said Alderman Matsilele. He said the Malipati community will be paid an undisclosed amount of money by the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust as compensation for the folding of Malipati Safari Area.
“Meetings to distribute the pro-rata benefits from Malipati Safari Area have been convened involving Zimparks,Chiredzi RDC and the Sengwe Community Leadership. We expect the programme to be rolled out soon and a surveyor has been hired to resolve potential boundary disputes between Zimparks and some concession areas in Sengwe 2 and Sango Border Post,’’ said Ald Matsilele.
Sources privy to the deal, revealed that the Malipati community was going to rake in $30 000 annually from Gonarezhou Conservation Trust for loss of hunting fees revenue in the wake of the closure of Malipati Safari Area.
“When we attended meetings with Zimparks officials and Chiredzi RDC, the Malipati community was promised a $30 000 annual windfall from the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust and it was agreed that the money will be channelled towards community development,’’ said the source who preferring to remain anonymous.
Source: https://www.herald.co.zw/malipati-safari-area-disbanded/
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has agreed with Chiredzi Rural District Council to disband the community-run Malipati Safari Area in southern Chikombedzi following its incorporation under the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust. Malipati Safari Area used to benefit local villagers under the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (campfire).
Its disbanding was being stalled by haggling between Chiredzi RDC and Zimparks.
Zimparks last year, sealed a deal with Frankfurt Zoological Society to transform the wildlife-rich Gonarezhou National Park at the same time disband all sport hunting facilities around the sanctuary.
Addressing participants during a Chiredzi RDC full council meeting recently, council chair Alderman Edward Matsilele revealed the impending demolition of campsites in the Malipati Safari Area.
“Malipati Safari Area issues have been concluded and hunting in the area has stopped completely. The camp is to be demolished by the end of next month because Zimparks has indicated that its continued presence is not in their plans,” said Alderman Matsilele. He said the Malipati community will be paid an undisclosed amount of money by the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust as compensation for the folding of Malipati Safari Area.
“Meetings to distribute the pro-rata benefits from Malipati Safari Area have been convened involving Zimparks,Chiredzi RDC and the Sengwe Community Leadership. We expect the programme to be rolled out soon and a surveyor has been hired to resolve potential boundary disputes between Zimparks and some concession areas in Sengwe 2 and Sango Border Post,’’ said Ald Matsilele.
Sources privy to the deal, revealed that the Malipati community was going to rake in $30 000 annually from Gonarezhou Conservation Trust for loss of hunting fees revenue in the wake of the closure of Malipati Safari Area.
“When we attended meetings with Zimparks officials and Chiredzi RDC, the Malipati community was promised a $30 000 annual windfall from the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust and it was agreed that the money will be channelled towards community development,’’ said the source who preferring to remain anonymous.
Source: https://www.herald.co.zw/malipati-safari-area-disbanded/
