Abstract:
The Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) in Zimbabwe’s Southeast Lowveld
is a key ecological corridor facing pressures from land‑use conflict,
tenure insecurity, and fragmented tourism development. This study
examines the social dimensions of conservation and tourism in SVC,
highlighting the need for inclusive governance, community participation,
and coordinated restoration. Using qualitative interviews with
community members, interest groups, and governance actors, supported
by participatory mapping and policy analysis, the research
identifies major challenges including livestock encroachment, wildlife
crime, climate impacts, and conflicting land‑use policies. Findings
underscore the urgency of securing tenure rights, integrating communities
into land‑use planning, and aligning tourism initiatives with
conservation goals. A framework for corridor restoration is proposed,
centred on landscape‑level planning, equitable benefit sharing, and
coordinated engagement. The study contributes actionable insights
for strengthening human–wildlife coexistence in contested protected
areas.
