Parliamentarian demands share of wildlife cake for locals

 Lawmaker Fanuel Cumanzala has called for urgent reforms in Zimbabwe's wildlife governance systems to place local communities, such as those in his constituency, at the heart of conservation efforts.

Speaking on the challenges faced by Binga's rural communities, Cumanzala emphasized the disconnect between the country's celebrated wildlife heritage and the daily realities of residents living alongside dangerous animals.

"We cannot talk about conservation while ignoring the very people, who have protected these resources for generations," he said.

Cumanzala traced the root of current inequities back to the colonial era, when indigenous stewardship systems were dismantled and replaced by profit-driven and exclusionary frameworks. Despite independence and reforms, he noted, control and benefits from wildlife remain concentrated in the hands of the state and private interests.

"The promises made in 1980 were not just about land; they were about dignity, ownership, and participation," Cumanzala said. "Yet for communities in places like Binga, the wildlife is a curse, not a blessing."

He outlined the daily burdens faced by Binga residents - from crop destruction and restricted land use to exclusion from critical decision-making - fostering deep resentment while national parks and private conservancies continue to prosper at their expense.

"There is legal confusion and a lack of coordination among governing laws as key barriers," he explained. "The Communal Lands Act says one thing, the Traditional Leaders Act says another, and the Rural District Councils Act says something else. This fragmented system denies people a clear voice and paves the way for abuse."

Cumanzala also criticized the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (Campfire), citing mismanagement and political inertia that have undermined its promise to deliver community benefits.

"What was meant to be a model of inclusive conservation has become a token gesture - symbolic, inconsistent, and disempowering," he said. "Communities must be more than bystanders; they must be shareholders. We need to return to a model where local people are not just consulted, but are leaders and beneficiaries of conservation."

Community Effort Revives Manjolo Springs Wetland in Binga

In a hopeful sign, the Manjolo Springs Wetland in Binga District has undergone a remarkable ecological recovery through community-driven conservation.

Once on the brink of collapse, the wetland now thrives as a biodiversity hotspot, demonstrating the power of local commitment and sustainable environmental management.

The revival was driven by the "Enhancing Conservation of Wetlands and Building Climate Resilience in Manjolo Community (ECW-BCRM)" project, launched in 2022 with support from the Global Environment Facility's Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) and implemented by the local Basilwizi Trust.

Key activities included fencing the wetland, replanting indigenous vegetation, reclaiming gullies, scooping dams, and community sensitization on wetland preservation.

The results have been dramatic. Perennial water flow has returned, indigenous grasses and aquatic plants have re-established, stabilizing soil and improving water retention, while birdlife, frogs, and insects have made a strong comeback.

"The revival of Manjolo Springs has brought hope," said local community leader Village Samson Mweembe. "We nearly lost this wetland, but now we see its value not only in water and food security, but also in biodiversity and climate resilience."

The Manjolo Springs success story stands as a powerful example of how community-led initiatives can drive sustainable conservation, offering lessons for other parts of Zimbabwe and beyond.