The Sunday News
Noble Ncube, Business Reporter
FARMERS in Mangwe district, in Matabeleland South have agreed to convert part of their land into a wildlife conservancy that will result in benefits ranging from improved security, better land management, income, employment and support to community projects.
A conservancy is land set aside by an individual landowner, body corporate, group of owners or a community for purposes of wildlife conservation.
As a result of poor farming yields in the proposed area which lies under Natural Region Five, farmers have decided to utilise their land in a manner that will bring more benefits to the community. The Ingwizi Wildlife Conservancy is located in areas around Ingwizi dam. It covers A2 farmers from around Marula to Ingwizi dam.
Mangwe Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Nketa Mangoye Dlamini said the setting up of the Ingwizi Wildlife Conservancy was aimed at bringing back wildlife in the area and to create jobs in various areas around the conservancy. He said it was also an initiative to tap into eco-tourism and promotion of wildlife species.
“We agreed to begin with private farmers before we engage farmers with small tracts of land. We will engage A1 farmers at a later stage when there is tangible development. Our main aim is to create a sustainable wildlife conservancy that will attract tourism because of the vast wildlife species.
“Work begun on 1 March and we are now clearing land for construction of a three-metre high 18 strand game fence for the conservancy boundary. A non-governmental organisation that promotes preservation of wildlife, Africa Wildlife Foundation has promised to source funds for the boundary fence,” he said
Mr Dlamini said the establishment of the conservancy was a form of paradigm shift from keeping cattle to keeping wildlife.
“We have projected that our revenue will come from wildlife photography, cruises in the dam, fishing expeditions, lodges for tourists and selling of live wildlife. Spin off opportunities will include cattle ranching and generation of employment for locals in areas such as construction of lodges and food supply,” he said.
Mr Dlamini said land that will be left for agriculture will be minimum as the soil in that area was not good for cultivation.
The area is also safe for wildlife keeping because wildlife is more resistant to diseases. He said the Ministry of Lands and Rural Settlement Dr Douglas Mombeshora has approved the project.
The area which is also populated by different kinds of birds will have a bird’s sanctuary within the conservancy.
Already wild animals that can be found within the confines include wildebeests, impalas, kudus, bush waterbucks, sables and elands. The project is the second to be initiated by farmers in trying to utilise unproductive lands. The first one was launched in February in Shangani.
