Enhancing Sustainable strategic management practices at the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority: A post 2000 survival strategy

Abstract

Despite the tourism sector having great potential for growth in Zimbabwe, the contribution of wildlife to the country‟sGDP has decreased in the post 2000 era. This makes it necessary to examine practices in wildlife management to determine thestrategies that might enhance sustainable tourism especially in protected areas. A self administered questionnaire was given; faceto face interviews and focus group discussions were conducted as primary data collection tools. Despite all efforts made to controland protect wildlife, there is need for involvement of local communities in wildlife management as community-basedconservation in particular has been subjected to a series of scathing criticism and it has become increasing unacceptable toadvocate for a return to more coercive forms of conservation. The study recommends that the Zimbabwe National Parks andWildlife Management Authority to integrate their efforts with those of the private sector. Effective conflict preventionmechanisms need to be developed together with the communities especially in the implementation process.