ZTC 3 Wilderness Area

 

The Wilderness area is located in Tambara district of Manica province. The northern limit of the block borders with Zambezi river precisely between Zambezi- Muira and Zambezi- Pfidze river confluences , the southern limit borders with Nhamalema- CDA, eastern limit borders with Casado -Nyantete CDA and the western limit borders with Nhansoro CDA. Magnitude wise, it is nearly 70 000 hectares, with a perimeter disctance of about 60 kilometers. Elevetion of the block fluctuates between 140m to 540m above the sea level.The ZTC3 Wilderness block, has the shortest perimeter fence of 60 kilometers, due to the 25 kilometers open Zambezi river front. It is also important to note that the land size of the wilderness is around 70 000 hectares due to 300metres elevation difference between the perimeter fence line and plateau, as well as the steep valleys draining into Zambezi river.

Vegetation and Veld type

This area is very rocky and mountainous, steep interlocking slopes and valleys marked by dense mopane and combretum trees with good browsing value, also a multiple riverine ecosystems along Zambezi, Mkonde, and Pfidze rivers.

ZTC 3- The Wilderness Conservation Model / Plan

Most of the 25 kilometers of the Zambezi channel is very deep with less islands that would attract or stimulate elephants to cross. However, boat river patrols/ drone flights coupled with geo-fencing are recommended to monitor the behavior and movement of the elephants. A cross channel two strand- elephant electrified fence can be installed as a mitigation measure (if elephants swim across the river). The habitat is suitable elephants, kudus, bush bucks, nyalas, impalas and some giraffes. Grazers would include: mountain zebras, blue wild beast, water bucks, lechwe, hippopotamus and buffaloes. Predators that would be introduced are leopards and few lions. The sustainable carrying capacity of the wilderness is 3000 animals. Most of the terrain is unnavigable (this mean limited road network for game drives). This is why it was decided to consider it as the Wilderness Area for breeding of mountainous ecosystem species. Water provision in this area is a challenge, hence 25 kilometers of Open Zambezi River Front, as compensation/ supplement to its bio diversity and marketability (extra recreational activities). For this block to be productive, its marriage with the Zambezi river must be established, promoted and sustained. By allowing animals on the upper 25 kilometers of Zambezi river, boating and canoeing safaris will be made possible, viewing animals on the banks of Zambezi river. Adding to that is the location of lodges on Zambezi river banks, well decked overlooking the mighty Zambezi. In this section, no commercial fishing will be permitted as it will be part of if the wildlife area. There it will be declared a no commercial fishing zone and no-go area for the communities. The lower part of Zambezi also needs to be regulated in terms of fishing seasons/ pawning seasons. Community members need to be encouraged to resort to conservative hook fishing instead of drag net mass fishing and other one size fit-all fish traps.

Scientific Tourism

Scientific research on fauna and flora, veterinary research on corridor and zoonotic diseases, vectors such as tsetse fly and monitoring and controlling of livestock diseases in the CBZ. The veterinary research covers the whole ZTC and its surrounds to create disease free buffer zone (DFBZ). A world state of art wildlife research center, and 5 student camps shall be constructed in this block. Students from international and regional universities who are majoring in wildlife studies, natural sciences, geology, marine biology, forestry, wildlife & culture photography and videography, Animal veterinary ,community research and development, wildlife GIS and drone flights will all be enrolled for a two to four weeks hands on practical experience. This spectrum includes professionals (nurses & doctors) who are in medical fraternity too, interested in participating in wildlife veterinary experience.
This shall be covered separately in more details as a service

Eco Tourism

Lodge Sites Identification Criteria The lodge sites identification criteria is mainly based on accessibility from the existing backbone roads, underground water supply, camouflage, vantage view and topographical background landforms like hills, rock boulders and riverfront. These factors create bush ambience for each lodge site, and each site has its own unique surroundings.
Each lodge site will have its own water hole in front of the lodge, replenished by a solar powered borehole. In total 15 luxury lodges will be sited and constructed in this habitat, of which 10 will be river front lodges along Zambezi and Pfidze rivers. The lodge sites shall be more on the periphery of the reserve for accessibility and creation of less developed wild nucleus. An Environmental Impact Assessment will be conducted on each lodge site to achieve our Touching the Earth Lightly Policy.

Communities to be resettled

Mitondo and Chigubhu villages to be moved from Pfidze – Zambezi river confluence till Muira – Zambezi river confluence back to the basin of Muira river and Nyantete Buffer Zone to allow animals access to the 22 kilometers of Zambezi River Front.