Published by the government of Zimbabwe
28 April 2003
Harare — A LOCAL non-governmental organisation will soon start running training courses in preparing and processing traditional foods to encourage eco-tourism in the Zambezi Valley.
The courses are meant to equip communities with skills to establish restaurants that will serve local cuisine in the Zambezi Valley area.
In a statement released on Friday, the Zambezi Society said the initiative would enhance eco-tourism projects being established in the area for the benefit of communities.
The Zambezi Society is working with communities in Binga, Guruve and Muzarabani to encourage efficient and effective sustainable management of their resources.
The forests in the three districts are global assets that are unique in bio-diversity and are home to a wide range of wildlife and other species.
"Over the years these forests have been conserved by the local communities on the basis of cultural and traditional ethics.
"These traditions are, unfortunately, being eroded as a result of immigration of people from other districts who do not share the same values," the Zambezi Society said.
In Binga's Sikalenge ward, the NGO is focussing on Malilandabvu forest where a bee-keeping project is under way to provide benefits for the local people and help conserve this valuable forest.
The forest contains the best remaining examples of the guibourtia conjugata tree, commonly known as the false mopani.
The tree, which takes more than 300 years to regenerate, is nearing extinction as a result of deforestation for agricultural purposes.
In Guruve and Muzarabani, the NGO is working with communities close to Sende and Rukonde forests to help them establish resource centres.
The centres will be the learning point for all newcomers and visitors to the areas about the values and traditions that are sacred aspects of these communities.
Zambezi Society is the only conservation group focussing its efforts solely on the Zambezi River to promote responsible management of the river basin as a global asset for the benefit of its biological and human communities.
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