Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Senior Reporter
The Bill also establishes a fund to compensate victims of human and wildlife conflict.
Clause 3 of the memorandum of the Bill provides the new provisions amending the principal Act to empower communities.
“The first new section sets forth the general principles according to which this Act will be administered by the Authority.
“The second new section clarifies and reforms the common law on the issues of ownership of wildlife.
“The new section generally restates the common law position that wild animals are ownerless (res nullii), however, specially protected animals are vested in the President and private persons may obtain ownership of wild animals in certain circumstances,” reads Clause 3.
Clause 4 amends the section on the functions of the Authority by adding new functions.
The Second Republic has prioritised the devolution policy to ensure increased participation of communities in their own governance and benefit from local resources.
The Bill also directs the Minister responsible for the administration of the Act to ensure fair gender and regional representation on the Authority’s board as required by the country’s Constitution, including the representation of traditional leadership.
Clause 9 of the Bill establishes the new Wildlife Professionals Council of Zimbabwe that will be responsible for certifying qualifications and discipline for wildlife professionals and be fairly representative of professional interests of the wildlife sector.
“The second Part (IIC) establishes human-wildlife conflict relief fund, the object of the fund is to offer some monetary relief to victims of human wildlife conflict, that is to say innocent victims of any encounter with a wild animal resulting in the death of a victim, or his or her maiming (that is to say any permanent disablement of a bodily function) or any other physical injury to the victim,” reads part of Clause 9 of the Bill.
The fund will come as relief to communities living close to wildlife areas who have fallen victim to attacks by wildlife.
Clause 11 inserts a new section criminally penalising the hunting in and removal of animals or animal products from recreational parks and sale of animals or animal products.
“Every quota is scientifically determined to ensure that the animals in question are not consumed beyond a sustainable level. A civil penalty is provided for quota holders who exceed their quota,” reads part of Clause 15.
Clause 17 will introduce a new section in the Act providing for the private donation of animals outside of Zimbabwe.
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