ENVIRONMENT, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu has revealed that hunting proceeds will provide compensation funding in the event of human-wildlife conflicts.
Ndhlovu told Southern Eye that the policy was approved in March this year.
“The government said there will be no budget because the money will only come from the hunting activities done to cater for the victims and villagers,” Ndhlovu said.
He said since it was now the hunting season government would hear from operators how much they would have made from the activities.
“Hunting season is around the corner and we are counting the days until we get the feedback from them. Funds will be propagated from hunting activities done,” he said.
In March this year, it was revealed that the government was working tirelessly to mobilise finances to bankroll the Human-Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund to start compensating families and communities affected by wild animals.
Cases of human-wildlife conflicts continue to rise with 66 people having been killed in 2022.
The conflict is attributed to the growing human and wildlife populations.
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Cabinet late last year approved the establishment of the fund for victims of human-wildlife conflicts following proposals by the responsible minister.
This followed countrywide consultation with communities affected by human-wildlife conflicts, where villagers implored the government to establish a compensation fund for victims of attacks by wild animals.
The funds are used to support affected families and communities, as well as coming up with programmes that help reduce deaths caused by animals, will cover funeral assistance, hospitalisation and treatment for those maimed.
Government early this year said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had directed that measures to address the situation be initiated, hence the creation of the fund.
The ministry drafted a paper that was approved by Cabinet on the need to create a fund that will be funded by government and its partners.
