01 Jul 2025

The Kavango Zambezi Trans-frontier Conservation Area (KAZA) has handed over to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks a borehole project meant to help mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

The three solar powered boreholes in the Chobe wildlife area are part of the KAZA wildlife water provision initiative in Hwange- Kazuma-Chobe wildlife dispersal area, two of which were constructed in Hwange, Zimbabwe.

Handing over the three boreholes in Chobe and Kazuma recently, KAZA executive director Dr Nyambe Nyambe said the project was critical in safeguarding both community livelihoods and wildlife movement within the KAZA landscape.

He said the project was co-financed by the German Development Cooperation at a total of P2.5 million, which included the establishment of five strategically located boreholes.

This initiative, he said intended to provide a sustainable water supply for wildlife as a mitigation measure against human-wildlife conflict.

He noted that water availability in key wildlife corridors promoted wildlife dispersal away from human settlements and agricultural areas, ultimately reducing crop damage and enhancing community livelihoods.

Dr Nyambe said Kalahari Conservation Society had been the lead implementing partner in Botswana while Groundwater and Mineral Services was the technical partner conducting the feasibility study and design of the boreholes and watering points.

Receiving the boreholes, Department of Wildlife and National Parks Senior Wildlife Officer for Chobe Mr Phuthego Phuthego said water provision was an essential component for the well-being of wildlife that had established migration routes from Hwange through Kazuma and Chobe wildlife areas to Chobe National Park.

He said there were cattle posts sitting on the corridor which animals would invade in search for water, thereby causing human-wildlife conflict. ENDS