Villagers in Bubi Ward 19 have applied for a hunting quota to mitigate the growing elephant population in the area. The initiative, led by the Habakkuk Trust Community Advocacy Action Team in collaboration with local leadership, aims to reduce wildlife-related conflict and enable community benefit from wildlife resources.
Elephants have been roaming freely in the ward, particularly at night, posing a threat to villagers. During a Community Advocacy Action Team meeting organized by Habakkuk Trust, villagers expressed concerns about the destruction of field perimeter fences and water reservoirs.
“We’re in the cropping season, and elephants are destroying field fences and decimating our crops,” said Village Head Mlozwi.
Villagers reported an increase in the elephant population owed to the ongoing dry spell. The elephants, estimated to be in three herds of 40-50 animals, have invaded a local dam, leaving the water muddy and making it difficult for villagers to water their cattle.
“Our dam is muddy, and we’re struggling to water our livestock. We need assistance in driving the elephants away from our villages,” said Nelia Moyo, Convenor of the Habakkuk Trust Community Advocacy Action Team.
Women who attended the meeting expressed concerns about the roaming elephants, which are preventing them from cutting broom grass.
“It’s grass-cutting season, and we’re afraid to enter the bush to cut grass due to the elephants and this has affected our source of income as women”, said Nolitha Nkala, Secretary of the Longwe Village Development Committee. Women in Bubi ward 19 engage in seasonal broom grass cutting and sales as a source of income.
The Kenilworth community believes that the approval of the hunting quota will not only reduce the elephant problem but also enable them to benefit from elephant skin sales. They lamented that the destruction of infrastructure without any form of benefit has the potential to escalate human-wildlife conflict.
Habakkuk Trust Executive Director, Mr. Siphatho Ncube highlighted work that has been done by his organisation aimed at addressing Human Wild Life Conflict in Bubi, Bulilima and Nkayi Districts. ‘‘We commissioned a research and came up with a human wildlife policy paper. I addition to that as an organisation we submitted a petition to parliament of compensation for victims of Human Wildlife Conflict, said Mr. Siphatho Ncube. Habakkuk Trust is implementing a Local Inclusive Development project supported by Bread For The World.
The Parks and wildlife Amendment Bill is currently at its second reading in Parliament. The bill, once passed is expected to address some of the challenges caused by Human Wildlife Conflict.
by: Dumisani Ncube
