A WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
& PROTECTION PROJECT
The word Tashinga, loosely translated
means we have been on a journey of
endeavour, and despite the difficulties,
we have won through. This name was
originally chosen for the Headquarters
Station of Matusadona National Park on
Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.
Together with her ecologist husband,
Russell and two children, Matusadona was
Lynne Taylors home for ten years, during
which period she fell in love with this Park,
its flora and fauna, and thus the people,
who, through the years, have tended its
fragile ecosystems.
Through The Tashinga Initiatives have sealed their approval of The Tashinga
Introductory brochure and Powerpoint Initiative through a Memorandum of
Presentation, Lynne brings to your Understanding.
attention the urgent need to continue the
conservation of the incredibly valuable This is an invitation to take a Journey in
Parks and Wildlife Estate and World Conservation through your consideration
Heritage Sites that lie throughout the of this proposal.
Zambezi River Valley of Zimbabwe.
The Parks and Wildlife Management With Thanks,
Authority have given both their
encouragement and support in working
with The Tashinga Initiative, towards
protecting and securing this natural
heritage for generations to come, and
 Concept Document
Goal Background
This proposal defines support to the 1 A colonial legacy, unstable investment
Parks and Wildlife Management climates, poor governance and irrational
Authoritys current conservation economic policies all contribute to
programme in the Zambezi Valley of degrading its intrinsically valuable and
Zimbabwe economically important, natural wealth.
1. Enhanced planning framework 2 Ironically, all of the above impacts
2. Infrastructure refurbishment most severely on those living in extreme
poverty. Such people experience the worst
3. Establishment of wildlife protection of the above consequences, whilst having
units the least resources with which to combat
4. Environmental stewardship these effects.
empowerment through training programmes for conservation and
and skills transfer 3 This situation leads to unsustainable
use of abundant natural resources, which
5. Monitoring include water, woodlands, wildlife and
grasslands, in attempts to meet basic
livelihood needs.
4 Severe degradation usually follows
unsustainable use, thereby removing
all chances of wildlife and other natural
resources providing the means of survival
that rural people so desperately seek.
5 However, natural resource wealth
Africa is resource rich but economically is Africas real comparative economic
poor . There are many reasons; some of advantage and it stands to be lost if the
these are discussed. situation remains unchallenged.
The Proponents And
Beneficiaries
1 Enhancement and strengthening of
the field operations of the lead Agency,
the Parks and Wildlife Management
Authority, mandated with the
responsibility of wildlife conservation,
management and protection within
Zimbabwe, in the area defined by The
Tashinga Initiative.
2 This project will support
communities involved in rural District
Council initiated community-based
natural resource management, such
as CAMPFIRE, in the sustainable and
beneficial use of their own wildlife
3 Development and promotion of the
wildlife photographic and eco-tourism
industry as well the sustainability of
safari trophy hunting and commercial
trade in wildlife products as an
economically viable option for land use
in southern Africa.

The Proposal
1 Specifically, this Proposed Wildlife
Conservation and Protection Project
intends to support resource management
amongst linked protected areas in the
Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe
2 Focus on the development and
strengthening of protected areas.
3 It is intended to realise
above-average percentage return per
dollar invested through the Projects
Concept Document
simplicity, clearly structured channels 5 The Tashinga Initiative invites
of implementation, and through the international philanthropic funding
recognition and application of an from individual trusts, funding agencies,
extensive and highly-experienced skills and multi-national corporations who
base. wish to make a vital difference to one
of our planets unique, beautiful and
4 Such an approach will assist wildlife abundant areas.
overcoming the historic and
traditional burdens of bureaucracy
and inefficiency common to public
and non-governmental donor-funded
approaches.

Introduction
Africa is a continent rich in natural
resources, yet sustainable development
and use of these resources is still to be
fully realised.
13% of Zimbabwes land surface is made
up of protected conservation areas.
This project deals specifically with the
mosaic of formally protected wildlife
and forest areas along the length of
the Zambezi River and its Zimbabwean
hinterland. The integrity of the region
faces severe challenges under the
present socio-economic challenge.
Executive Summary
Inadequate funding puts prize wildlife
species, such as rhino and elephant at
The integrity of
extremely high risk from poachers, and
this risk continues to escalate. the Protected
Formal aerial surveys undertaken
by joint efforts between Parks and
Areas System
Wildlife Authority and WWF indicate
alarming increases in elephant carcass in Zimbabwe
numbers and poachers camps, as
well encroachment of cattle into
Protected Areas. Additional wildlife
sustainably
statistics are made available on
www.thetashingainitiative.org. maintained
 Executive Summary
Time Frame
This extremely depressed environment
creates an URGENT need to improve the
effectiveness of the Parks and Wildlife
Management Authority, along with the
morale and commitment of its field
rangers.

A 5-year detailed intervention plan and

budget has been created for The Tashinga
Initiative Project, using a phased and
prioritorised implementation process.

All of mans
ingenuity could not
create anything
equal to the world
of untamed
wilderness
 Project Components

1 Planning
Park Management planning, site assessment, planning for services
implementation, buildings, GIS database setup.

2 Road works
Road rehabilitation, grading, seasonal river causeway rebuild and repair.

3 Infrastructure
Installation of solar powered water delivery and energy source.
Refurbishment programme of all existing buildings, building of new WPU
bases and relevant personnel accommodation.
4 Vehicle
Procurement of vehicles, boats, essential accessories, spares and servicing
packages, fuel supply.

5 The Ranger
Procurement of ranger equipment, personal, field, and specialized, for
operational needs.

6 Communications
Procurement of VHF radios for field and vehicle use, communications radio
network refurbishment, i.e. solar powered repeater links, Vsat installations
at WPU Bases
 Project Components

7 WPU Base
Fittings, equipment, mapping, office administration requirements.

8 Allowances, Medical & Recreation

Allowances, soccer team kit, medical schemes for all WPU staff

9 Training
Courses in environmental stewardship empowerment, wildlife protection,
bush awareness, defensive driving, first aid, weaponry, law enforcement,
communications, workshop skills, mechanics, administration, basic
computer email and skype skills.
10 Transportation of materials
All materials transportation costs from source to destination, importations,
duties, taxes, commissions.

11 Media, Documentary making

Provision of funds for marketing to include the production of documentary
materials to major channels such as NatGeo, NGWild, Animal Planet,
ESPN etc.
The Dusk Lion - Courtesy of Jarrod Pretorius 2009