Social considerations in reframing tourism and resource use in protected areas: a proposed framework for the Save Valley Conservancy in the Southeast Lowveld in Zimbabwe

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.