THE African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) will convene the Third Annual Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-III) this week.
View Point with Wisdom Mdzungairi
The conference organised each year under the auspices of the Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa) Programme, will be convened under the theme — Africa on the rise: Can the opportunities from climate change spring the continent to transformative development?
Its significance is that the conference will deal with specifically climate change effects on wildlife vis-à-vis the Hwange ecological disaster which left hundreds of elephants succumbing to cyanide poisoning by poachers trying to eke a living after years of droughts in neighbouring communities of Tsholotsho, Dete and others.
The thousands of scientists and other stakeholders will also deal with improving food security for Africa at a time of increasing conflicts on the Black continent resulting in the majority failing to fend for their families.
ClimDev-Africa is a joint programme of key African development institutions including the United Nations Economic Commission (UNECA), the African Union Commission (AUC) and African Development Bank (AfDB).
It could be Africa’s time to look at herself as the meeting will help African technocrats, scientists and policymakers to share experiences and disseminate research results and assess how Africa is coping with impacts of climate change. While, many among us believe the changing climate is not really an issue, it is not disputable that food shortages have increased the number of vulnerable people not only in the country, but on Sub Saharan Africa.
So the gathering which is timely, will also seek ways of strengthening Africa’s ability to seize opportunities from climate change to better prepare the continent for transformative development.
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What is the role of policy in building Africa’s resilience to climate change impacts? What are the unexplored options for climate financing? Is the concept of green economy relevant for Africa? What are the opportunities? Is the global climate change framework working for Africa?
Had Zimbabwe looked into these issues before and ensure some of her policies dovetailed from the national climate policy, the Hwange disaster would have been mitigated at least.
It is a fact that the people of Tsholotsho feel neglected by central government for even though Campfire was benefiting them there was no word from government why the programme was discontinued when they continued to live alongside problem animals. International poaching gangs, therefore, took advantage and cashed in on the vulnerable community.
How then can Environment, Water and Climate minister Saviour Kasukuwere deal with wildlife poaching not only in Hwange, but all the 11 major national parks and conservancies if mitigation of climate issues are not dealt with conclusively?
What should be the role of Environment Management Agency? (EMA) in detoxicating the poisoned Hwange water table which has ripple effect of affecting the food chain and a whole host of other game species? True, cyanide is selling as hot cakes in all open markets in Bulawayo; one wonders why this has continued despite the outcry over the mass deaths of elephants? Is it a question of the left hand not knowing what the right was doing?
Self-introspection is needed here? It is very easy for Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) to claim that its rangers continue to show dedication, willingness and readiness to fight poachers, despite the current challenges including poaching and resource problems being faced by the authority.
We expect them to say that of course — put a brave face and let life continue, in case somebody is charged with causing despondence in the country.
But, it is the cyanide poisoning method of poaching that could have left Zimparks rangers re-energised and more dedicated to fulfilling the authority’s mandate (at least for those genuine ones).
This must give the wildlife authority a huge lesson as — according to various sources — some within the Zimparks could have been involved in one way or the other or some of its stakeholders.
To all those that still have the energy to fight the poachers in a genuine spirit, it is commendable, they should continue to carry out anti-poaching activities while EMA detox the flagship national park. Given that there was an over-whelming response to Zimparks’ call for ex-Parks employees to report to the nearest office to be considered for re-joining the authority, does the authority have capacity to remunerate them?
Isn’t this going to spur an increase in poaching as these people try to eke a living?
It is understood that the army, the police and the general public have expressed interest in the fighting poaching as shown by the huge turnout at all Zimparks office across the country, then the authority should ensure there were tight monitoring mechanisms to ensure poaching is nipped in the bud. Whatever the selection process which will lead to successful candidates finally going through medical and security examinations entails, Zimbabweans will demand that all flagship game species are protected for the future.
The judiciary seems to be moving very fast in dealing with poaching culprits as shown by the arrest of Akim Masuku (26) and his accomplice Normal Ncube (18) last week. A day later, Masuku had been sentenced to 15½ years in prison. Commendable indeed, so why are other arms of State failing to complement this effort?
The people of Tsholotsho need to be protected from the effects of climate change for real.
