By Derick Tsimba

Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry on 01 June 2020, received more than US$10 million from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) 6 Cycle to finance Zambezi Valley Biodiversity project.

On its Twitter handle the Ministry of Environment tweeted, “The Government of Zimbabwe received US$10,025,964 under the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) 6 Cycle and US$2 million from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as co-financing for the wildlife management project. Government is co-financing the project mostly through in-kind contributions.”

The Ministry of Environment also said the project was focused on managing wildlife resources in Hurungwe, Muzarabani and Mbire Districts.

“The project is being implemented in Hurungwe, Muzarabani and Mbire Districts. The objective is to promote an integrated landscape approach to managing wildlife resources, carbon and ecosystem services in the face of climate change in protected areas and communal lands.

“Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, officially handed over the Zambezi Valley Biodiversity project vehicles and tractors to Zimbabwe National Parks, Environmental Management Agency and CAMPFIRE under the theme, Strengthening Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management and Climate-Smart Landscapes in the Mid to Lower Zambezi Valley Region,” said the Ministry of Environment.

In 2019 Zimbabwe secured US10 million for forest and land management in Midlands, Masvingo and Manicaland targeting 70 000 households and implemented by Food and Agriculture Organisation under the Global Environmental Fund (GEF-7), partnering the Ministry of Environment.