Perspectives of the human wildlife conflict situation from the standpoint of environmental justice : a case study of Hwange National Park, in Zimbabwe

Abstract: Human wildlife conflicts in Zimbabwe have escalated due to human population growth which results in the expansion of settlements in areas close to national parks causing an overlap thereby causing clashes between humans and wildlife. Human wildlife conflicts are still a major problem in the country, mostly affecting people who rely on subsistence farming and livestock rearing. Destruction of crops by large herbivores and livestock raiding by predators are the most common forms of human-wildlife conflict and if these conflicts are not managed well will affect the economic and social livelihoods of people living close to the national parks. A central concern that can be identified is that of perceived injustice regarding to wildlife conservation being pursued at the marginalization of human livelihoods. The conflict thus raises issues around the concept of environmental justice. Heightened sense of injustice might trigger poaching, the killing of wildlife using snares and extinction of wildlife. Indeed, people feel that priority is being given to the wild animals because of the laws which govern the protection of wildlife. For in-depth understanding of the situation, this study utilized qualitative methods of collecting data (semi-structured interviews, observations and field notes) to capture emerging themes and patterns to the conflicts. The study was done in three local communities adjacent to the National Park where selected namely Cross Dete, Cross Mabale and Jambezi in Hwange district.