The Government of Zimbabwe approved a new National Wildlife Policy aimed at strengthening conservation efforts, promoting community benefits, and growing the country’s biodiversity economy.
The policy which was adopted during the 12th Post-Cabinet briefing held as authorities move to modernise wildlife management frameworks that have been in place since 1992.
Officials say the updated policy reflects major changes in the wildlife sector over the past three decades and aligns Zimbabwe with emerging regional and international best practices.
At its core, the policy seeks to ensure the sustainable use of wildlife resources while increasing the sector’s contribution to national development. It also places strong emphasis on community participation, aiming to deliver socio-economic benefits to local populations.
The government has also positioned the policy as a tool to strengthen climate resilience and support a growing wildlife-based economy under the National Development Strategy 2.
A key shift in the new framework is the recognition of wildlife as a public resource, with a focus on equitable sharing of benefits. Authorities say this will enhance devolution, improve governance, and unlock opportunities through public-private partnerships in conservation.
The policy introduces several mechanisms to improve wildlife management, including reforms to the CAMPFIRE programme, which promotes community-based natural resource management. It also prioritises addressing human-wildlife conflict, with the implementation of a relief fund to compensate affected communities.
In addition, the policy outlines ten strategic pillars guiding conservation efforts. These include strengthening legal guardianship of wildlife, protecting biodiversity within and outside protected areas, promoting a viable wildlife economy, and advancing research and education.
Authorities say the policy will also support the development of wildlife corridors and strengthen fisheries conservation as part of broader environmental protection efforts.
The move comes as Zimbabwe continues to position itself as a regional leader in conservation, including through cross-border initiatives such as the Lower Zambezi Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area, which promotes joint ecosystem management with neighbouring countries.
With increasing pressure from climate change and human activity, the government says the new policy is designed to ensure that wildlife conservation delivers both ecological sustainability and economic value for future generations.
