The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation, in partnership with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, has launched nationwide consultations aimed at developing a legal framework for community conservancies.
The initiative seeks to ensure that local communities play a central role in the sustainable management of Zimbabwe’s wildlife and natural resources.
The consultation teams have already covered Bikita, Chiredzi, Hwange, and Tsholotsho, and are now heading to Bulilima. According to ZELO, the process is designed to gather broad stakeholder input that will guide the creation of a legal framework that is “inclusive, practical, and responsive to local realities.”
“Our goal is to understand how existing community conservancies operate, learn from their successes and challenges, and ensure that the legal framework we develop supports both conservation objectives and community interests,” said Hazel Chimbiro, Programme Manager at ZELO.
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The exercise will document current governance structures, highlight best practices, identify gaps, and lay the groundwork for improved accountability and transparency in community-based wildlife management.
Stakeholder engagement is seen as essential to fostering ownership and ensuring long-term sustainability.
“Community involvement is at the heart of wildlife conservation. By engaging stakeholders directly, we hope to build a legal framework that empowers communities while protecting our natural heritage,” said Obert Bore, Senior Officer at ZimParks.
The collaboration underscores the need to align legal and institutional support with community capacities and priorities, strengthening Zimbabwe’s conservation agenda and promoting environmentally sustainable livelihoods.
“We are committed to creating a framework that reflects the voices of those on the ground and ultimately improves conservation outcomes while delivering tangible benefits to communities,” added Shamiso Mtisi, Legal Advisor at ZELO.
The consultations will continue over the coming months, drawing input from local leaders, conservancy members, and environmental experts.
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