The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) won the Environmental Conservation and Social Impact Award during the 2022 Matabeleland North provincial edition of the Environment Responsible Business and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) awards ceremony held in Victoria Falls over the weekend.
The organisation’s spokesperson Luckmore Safuli said the award was a significant recognition of IFAW and the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife management authority (ZimParks) efforts in addressing conservation challenges in and around the Hwange-Matetsi-Zambezi ecosystem.
“The award is a significant recognition of IFAW and ZimParks efforts in preserving the biodiversity integrity of the Hwange-Matetsi-Zambezi ecosystem. It is also an acknowledgement of our efforts in delivering socio-economic benefits to the communities co-existing with wildlife,” he said.
“Working together with ZimParks, we are keen to create a conducive environment where people and wildlife can thrive together. Since the signing of the historic conservation agreement with ZimParks, we have made significant strides in strengthening park management and mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
“We would like to reassure the government and people of Zimbabwe that we remain committed to pursuing solution-based approaches to secure wildlife habitats and to improve the livelihoods of communities adjacent to the Hwange National Park.”
The annual awards acknowledge CSR and sustainability efforts and contributions made by individuals, the private and public sectors towards community development in Zimbabwe. Winners are mobilised from diverse sectors and industries which have had positive impact on Zimbabwe’s sustainable development agenda and the promotion of government’s vision 2030.
- Follow Problem on Twitter @probymasau
