Tulani Ngwenya
HARARE, Zimbabwe— The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has urged the Ministry of Mines to turn down a mining proposal within Hwange National Park’s Sinamatella Black Rhino Intensive Protection Zone. ZimParks warned that the mining project endangers endangered species, cultural heritage, and the nation’s conservation legacy, stressing the area’s ecological sensitivity.
In a strongly worded statement issued Thursday, ZimParks highlighted the Sinamatella zone’s role as a critical habitat for the endangered black rhinoceros, listed under CITES Appendix I. The authority warned that proposed mining activities would heighten extinction risks and derail decades of population recovery efforts for the species, which has seen gradual growth due to conservation programmes.
The agency highlighted that the project conflicts with its mandate to restore 30% of degraded terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by 2030. “Mining here would undermine ecological conditions essential for wildlife survival and reproduction,” said ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo, stressing that progress in reviving elephant, rhino, and other wildlife populations could be reversed.
ZimParks raised alarms over potential economic fallout, noting that tourism, a major revenue driver, relies on pristine ecosystems. Mining-related pollution and habitat disruption could degrade visitor experiences and weaken anti-poaching efforts. The area also includes the Bumbusi ruins, an 18th-century site of cultural significance for Nambian-speaking communities, where traditional leaders conduct annual rituals and rainmaking ceremonies.
Hwange National Park, home to Africa’s second-largest elephant population, faces heightened risks of groundwater depletion if mining proceeds. ZimParks cautioned that disrupted water sources could exacerbate wildlife mortality and human-wildlife conflicts in nearby communities already grappling with resource scarcity.
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Farawo underscored that approving the project would damage Zimbabwe’s standing as a global leader in sustainable conservation. “This contradicts our mandate and jeopardises future generations’ heritage,” he said, reaffirming ZimParks’ commitment to safeguarding habitats for both wildlife and people.
The Sinamatella decision may set a precedent for how Zimbabwe balances ecological priorities with development interests as the country navigates economic pressures. The appeal highlights the growing tensions between resource extraction and conservation in areas rich in biodiversity.
