Referred to as Mountains of the Mist, Vumba means mist in Shona, the local language of this area of the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe.
This beautiful mountainous area is covered with unique fauna and flora and is sanctuary to endangered species such as the blue duiker and the Samango monkey, who are only found in the Vumba.
With so many negative and depressing reports coming out of Zimbabwe, it is uplifting to be able to give some positive feedback on a current issue. Towards the end of 2010 we wrote about WEPU (Wildlife & Environment Protection Units) – one of the latest projects being facilitated through a collaborative approach to conservation.
Environment Africa and the Tikki Hywood Trust, together with the Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority Vumba Branch, co-ordinated the project together with the local Vumba community under the Vumba Green Fund. This unique PPCP (Public, Private, Community Partnership) approach to conservation and communities is a vision for Zimbabwe to enhance the protection of our biodiversity and at the same time uplift the livelihoods of communities.
Vumba is the first of the WEPU units that we envision operating throughout Zimbabwe in areas where wildlife and the environment are under threat from poachers, land invaders and locals alike.
Sadly, due to pressures such as severe poverty, unemployment and pure greed on the part of unscrupulous individuals and syndicates, poaching in all its forms is endemic in Zimbabwe.
Since the deployment of the eight committed WEPU scouts in the Vumba in December 2010 the achievements have been overwhelming. 400 wire snares have been found and destroyed, 12 nylon snares, 23 whip traps, 4 fishing nets and axes used for the illegal chopping down of wood. 8 poachers have been arrested and an 18 ton truck used to transport illegally gained wood has been impounded.
While, on patrol the scouts record wildlife sightings of two large troops of 20 plus Samango monkeys, as well as Blue Duiker. Snaring of wildlife, fish poaching and wood cutting are the major negative environment issues in the Vumba which need to stopped.
Just recently, people from outside the local communities have been found moving into the lower ends of the Bunga forest, where they are clearing pristine forest land for farming. This is of huge concern to all involved in the Vumba and with the support of all the various stakeholders has to be halted.
The Vumba Green Fund is an environment welfare fund initiated by Environment Africa and Tikki Hywood Trust in partnership with the local community to encourage the protection and sustainable development of the Vumba and its surrounds. Several local property owners, hotels and lodges as well as a few individuals have joined the Vumba Green Fund, paying a monthly contribution towards the projects.
We need to raise US$3000 per month to support the WEPU project as well as develop other community based projects within the Vumba. It costs just US$5 a day to keep a scout in the field. We are encouraging companies and individuals to support the Vumba Green Fund, so that together we can help save this unique mountain area of Zimbabwe.
If you are in Zimbabwe or visiting, then the Vumba is a unique area to explore. The Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority has two beautiful lodges and camping facilities. Environment Africa has self catering lodges at very reasonable rates that are situated at the bottom end of the Bunga Forest which has amazing walking trails in deep tall forest areas. We shall be highlighting other hotels and lodges you can stay at on our website which will be launched in March 2011. www.vumbagreenfund.org
Join the Vumba Green Fund and become a member today. A monthly contribution of US$5 helps us keep a scout on the ground. For further information please email info@environmentafrica.org or tikkihywoodtrust@bsatt.com
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