Wildlife and Fisheries Management in Zimbabwe: A Critical Reflection

Abstract

This book is a must-read for anyone with interest to explore (or understand) topical issues in the diverse field of conservation. You will find some wild but useful ideas which others may want to call innovative approaches, and practical strategies for enhancing wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe and beyond. Why wildlife? Could be much easier to answer because of the obvious aesthetic and cultural attachment that you might have. Nevertheless, Whose wildlife? Is a contentious issue that needs unpacking as you will find in this book. When you read this book, you might acquire some Latin phrases such as res nullius and confuse a few friends with new vocabulary in social circles whilst reflecting on the wildlife ownership topic. As you might be already aware, Zimbabwe has an outspoken history of wildlife conservation which dates back to pre-colonial and extends into the post-colonial period, this book takes you through some important reflections of the country`s wildlife journey and paradigm shifts along the process which will certainly help you make sense of the legacies that Zimbabwe cherishes or struggles with today. Biodiversity conservation in the 21st century is faced with shifting climatic changes which some scientists have tried to communicate in emotionally charged publications and threatening headlines in the news, whether that is the inconvenient truth or they are cyclical or irreversible changes-we cannot be certain, however, as this book explores biodiversity policy in a changing climate, focusing on a review of legal and institutional frameworks for biodiversity management in Zimbabwe, it might help you understand some contextualised perspectives. Whilst some people may see sustainable development as a mission impossible in the glaring facts of poverty and food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa, this book may leave you hopeful when you read about the opportunities in the fisheries production and management, opportunities and challenges of those living adjacent to protected areas in Zimbabwe, reflections on the renowned Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (popularly known as CAMPFIRE) case study, which will inevitably drive you into the Chapter which digs deeper into rural livelihood benefits from community-based initiatives to private sector involvement. As you read this special book, it is important to be mindful of the fact that wildlife in Zimbabwe refers to both flora and fauna and this book could not have been complete without covering non-timber forest products and delicacies such as mopane worm harvesting and utilisation covered in a very interesting research done in the Matabeleland region of Zimbabwe. Since this book is a product of Chinhoyi University of Technology, particularly the School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, do not be surprised to find a topic such as Quenching the Thirst for Zimbabweans, you may want to find out how? Water is an important subject in any context. It should be appreciated that conservation is not for conservationists only-it is everyone`s business and this book is an important resource which will help you understand why and hopefully you will not go wild about my story before you can forage on the important ideas contained herein! With their research prowess, the authors provide an enormously useful range of ideas, innovative strategies across a wide spectrum of topics with a lot of creativity and I look forward to read about technological innovations in the field of wildlife conservation in their next edition.