LEGISLATORS and environmental watchdogs have condemned the controversial Parks and Wildlife Management Bill, saying the proposed law has potential to monopolise power while undermining democratic principles.
The Bill, which is being championed by the ruling Zanu PF party, seeks to grant sweeping powers to the President and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) to manage and control the country’s natural resources.
However, MPs and CSOs condemned the proposed law saying it would lead to authoritarianism and stifle community participation in conservation efforts.
Speaking at the Accountability Lab Zimbabwe (ALZ) capacity building workshop on the Parks and Wildlife Management Bill which was held in Kadoma last week, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate, Wildlife, Tourism and Hospitality acting chairperson Perseviarance Zhou said the power structures highlighted in the Bill should at least accommodate communities.
“As representatives of the people, we are duty-bound to make sure that there is a fair benefit-sharing model among stakeholders, including the most vulnerable communities staying in the vicinity of these national parks.
“We must also comprehend section 294 of the same Constitution that provides for the power of Parliament to legislate on matters related to environmental conservation and wildlife management,” she said.
“It is, therefore, of utmost significance that our facilitators pay colossal attention to these provisions and how the Bill interfaces with them to shape the required narrative.”
Zhou said legislators should remain alive to constitutional provisions such as section 73 on environmental protection, section 74 on conservation of natural resources as well as section 75 on wildlife conservation and section 305 on international agreements related to environmental conservation and wildlife management.
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Meanwhile, clause 45 of the Bill also grants power to the President and the minister responsible for ZimParks in relation to mining activities to be conducted in national parks, botanical gardens and botanical parks.
Concerns have been raised in the past about individuals who abuse their proximity to the presidium to clandestinely take over mining operations, even if they have no papers.
Fears abound that such individuals will get blank cheques to conduct operations in wildlife conservancies.
