Zambezi Valley - Zimbabwe's most Marginalised Region

The Zambezi Valley is one of the most disadvantaged vulnerable regions in Zimbabwe with the lowest social indicators in the country, a Zimbabwe born UK-based researcher has said.

Sunset in the Zambezi valley

The marginalization of the Tonga and Korekore people is largely attributed to the involuntary displacement in 1957 to make way for the Kariba Dam Hydroelectric Scheme and yet it remains  one of the richest regions endowed with natural resources in Zimbabwe.

Dr Bernard Manyena, a researcher from Northumbria University, UK, who was  brought up in Binga was one of the participants at the recent conference which focused on Access and Benefit-sharing of Resources in the Zambezi Valley. 

Said the Researcher in an interview with Media Centre Zim on the sidelines of the workshop: “The CAMPFIRE model is one of the best models the world over, which adopts an ecosystem services approach. However, putting conservation ahead of poverty has caused a lot of tensions between Rural District Councils, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife  Management Authority (ZPWMA) and the communities.

“We need to re-think and refine the model to appropriately tackle deep-rooted causes of poverty in the Zambezi Valley using available natural and genetic resources. This is in line with Conference of Parties 10 on Biodiversity  held in Japan in November 2010, which emphasizes equitable access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources.

“In relation to fishing, the fishers in the Zambezi valley have had conflicts with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority since the displacement to pave way for Kariba Dam in 1957. Fishing is one of the high risk jobs today, yet the fishers’ livelihoods  are dependent on fishing.”

One of the issues discussed at the conference was the Kariba Lakeshore Combination Master Plan (KLCMP) which was approved by the government in 1999. The conference outcome includes an action plan on how access and benefit-sharing issues should be taken forward and also ensure the KLMCP is implemented by central government, local authorities, non-governmental agencies and the private sector.

By Gilbert Munetsi