By Zivanai Dhewa
Government has appointed new board members for Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), at a time the Parks and Wildlife are facing both human and climate challenges, the Harare Post can report.
In a statement while listing the names of the new board members the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu underscored the careful selection of each member intended to effectively deal with the ills bedevilling the Parks and Wildlife.
“The new board members include, Professor Prisca Mugabe, Linda Mhlanga, Florence Sambo, Ginniel Mabiza, Mlamuleli Mhlanga, Nkosiyabo Sibanda, Mabel Guzuzi and a Ministry representative Mr Tanyaradzwa Mundoga,” said Minister Ndhlovu.
Minister Ndhlovu said, “Government has seen it fit to appoint a new board to preside over the affairs of ZimParks. In this context, it became necessary and relevant to appoint a board drawn from tried and tested senior public servants, captains of industry and the academia with proven track records.
A brief look at the board members indicated that Professor Prisca Mugabe is a senior lecturer in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Zimbabwe; Dr Mlamuleli Mhlanga is also a senior lecturer at Lupane State University with a Phd in Ecological Sciences while Tanyaradzwa Mundoga is an expert with more than 15years in environmental and natural resources policy and governance.
According to Minister Ndhlovu, the new board has a mandate to discharge its duties effectively by tackling challenges ZimParks is facing especially that of poaching.
“You take over as the new board, at a time poaching remains a major challenge, especially of elephants and rhinos and the lack of resources to deploy effective surveillance and prevention, which have affected the ZimParks ability to effectively discharge its mandate,” said the Minister.
Meanwhile ZimParks has been has experienced a lot of setbacks with the latest being that of mining activities that have seemingly mushroomed in the National Parks, a situation that could lead to serious land degradation such as siltation of water bodies, and abandoned mine shafts that are a danger to animals.
To that effect, Government has recently released a statement to the effect that all mining activities in the National Parks should be abandoned with immediate effect. The current climate changes call for drinking wells to be protected, from drying up due to mining activities that can to them drying them up.
Minister Ndhlovu, however added that, “The new board has balance and a good mix of skills and experience which is important for ZimParks,” he said.
The chairperson of the Board will be announced in due course.
