The Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy Study Report launched in Harare recently. Picture by John Cassim, ConserveZim
By Dickson Bandera
Government is making frantic efforts to fully integrate biodiversity into the national economic plan as the drive to an Upper Middle Class Economy by the year 2030 has gathered momentum.
After years of subdued economic growth, Zimbabwe’s economy is on the rise, thanks to government policies enunciated under the National Development Plan 1 (NDS1).
On Wednesday September 13, stakeholders in the biodiversity sector gathered at a local hotel where the ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife launched the Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy (ZBE) Study Report.
The ZBE Study Report’s main objective is to ensure that the value of biodiversity is recognized and mainstreamed in development planning and national accounts for sustainable social and economic development.
The study also aims at increasing understanding of the contribution of biodiversity to economic development of Zimbabwe and subsequently inform investments into the biodiversity economy.
With the abundant flora and fauna, good climatic conditions, mineral wealth, among other endowments, Zimbabwe has the potential to get massive revenue from this sector to help stabilize and grow the economy.
The ZBE study was underpinned by the recognition of the key role of nature in Zimbabwe’s economic development and will therefore provide a foundation to harness opportunities and long-term growth of a biodiversity economy, including harnessing investments.
Focus was placed on the subsectors of biodiversity namely Bioprospecting and Biotrade, Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife.
The Bioprospecting and Biotrade sector is an important sector in the Zimbabwe biodiversity economy as backed by the fact that the country’s rural populace, accounting for 60% of the total population largely depends on biodiversity for their livelihoods.
There is potential for commercialization of some biological products, thus providing opportunities for enhancing rural livelihoods and the national economy.
The report noted that protected areas have the potential to grow in terms of revenue that can be realized. Government is thus in the process of adding new areas to the network as guided by the recently adopted Global Biodiversity Framework.
The report also noted the challenges affecting the biodiversity economy and made recommendations to plug the holes.
The challenges include climate change and human activities such as deforestation, wildlife crime, illegal harvesting and trade of wildlife and forest products. There is also a challenge of financing the management and maintenance of protected areas.
Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Mrs Tarirai Musonza underscored government ‘s resolve in formulating clear and predictable policy and legal frameworks, which she said government was currently seized with.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, a successful biodiversity economy requires a good policy and legislative framework. In this regard the Ministry is currently reviewing various Acts and Policies related to the environment such as the Wildlife Policy, National Environmental Policy, EMA Act, and Parks and Wildlife Act. These legal and policy frameworks seek to create an enabling environment for natural resources conservation and sustainable use.
These processes will no doubt enhance the Zimbabwe biodiversity economy. I urge you all to actively participate in these processes,” she said.
Mrs Musonza paid tribute to all the researchers and stakeholders who made the study a success.
“Allow me at this stage to express our gratitude to the Africa Wildlife Foundation for financially and technically supporting this study. The Ministry also extends gratitude to the consultants who supported the production of the ZBE Report. The work done by the ZBE Technical Committee is also recognised as well as institutions that provided the data needed for the study.”
“I would like to point out that this Report will bring a paradigm shift in the way biodiversity is viewed in Zimbabwe by individuals, citizens, the corporate sector, communities and policymakers. The government is in full support of Natural Capital Accounting which will provide building blocks for developing the biodiversity economy,” she added.
Zimbabwe is rich in biodiversity in its varied landscapes and aquatic ecosystems. It has approximately 5,930 vascular plant species, of which 214 are endemic, 670 bird species, 270 mammal species, 156 reptile ok kupinda species, 120 amphibian species, and 141 fish species. These species are found within and outside protected areas.
The country boasts of an extensive protected areas network of 27.2% which has significantly contributed to the safeguarding of biodiversity as well as generating revenue through nature based tourism.
Protected areas have also contributed to global goals such as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets by increasing area under protection, and those under the Paris Agreement through carbon sequestration.
