Gutu RDC mulls creating game park

GUTU Rural District Council has announced plans to venture into wildlife sanctuary operations through establishing a game park on the shores of Mushaviri Dam to boost revenue inflows.

The council is planning to establish a 100-hectare game park at a cost of $105 000.

There are also plans to build chalets and establish a fisheries project at Mushaviri.

Acting Mpandawana Town’s board chairperson Mr Joseph Ndawi said the projects would be done in phases, adding that tenders were floated for the work to commence.

He said the Department of Physical Planning approved the projects.

‘’We are planning to create a game sanctuary straddling 100 hectares at Mushaviri Woodlands along the Gutu-Nerupiri Road and so far we have already invited tenders for the construction of chalets and starting a fisheries project at the dam,” said Mr Ndawi.

‘’Council resolved to implement the project in stages, starting with the construction of chalets, followed by the establishment of a game park and then the fisheries project.’’

Mr Ndawi said Gutu RDC wanted to widen its revenue base and facilitate the growth of Mpandawana Town.

‘’This will be the first time in the history of Gutu RDC to embark on a wildlife sanctuary project and we are planning to build chalets that meet modern standards that will be equipped with top-class accommodation facilities and a conference room to host workshops,” he said.

Mr Ndawi said his council was engaging the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) on modalities of choosing the best animal species that would be domiciled at the proposed Mushaviri Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary.

He said the ZimParks pledged to assist his council to secure the requisite cages for a vibrant fisheries project that was also expected to benefit villagers in surrounding areas.

The proposed ventures would create employment for close to 50 people, while also significantly boosting revenue inflow into council coffers through game viewing and game facilities.

Traditional leaders around Mpandawana Town support the planned ventures.

“We call upon the city fathers to reach a consensus on who should repair street lights in the city between them and Zesa,” he said.

“Street lights act as a deterrent to criminals. The sooner the problem is addressed the better.”

Masvingo mayor Councillor Hubert Fidze said council was working flat out to rectify the problem of poor street lighting in the city. He said there was an impasse between council and Zesa over who was responsible for installing and maintaining the city’s street lights.