Gonarezhou National Park has been selected to get US$15 million from the Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF), a fund that is expected to help maintain biodiversity haven and carbon sinks in the conservation area.
The more than 5,000 km² park will receive $1 million annually for 15 years.
Speaking on the fund, the Director of the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, Hugo Van der Westhuizen said the park located in Zimbabwe’s southeast Lowveld is very fortunate to have dedicated donors.
“With Gonarezhou National Park now selected as a Legacy Landscape under the Legacy Landscape Fund, it will only further secure the future of this living landscape and key protected area for generations to come,” Van der Westhuizen said.
“We are very fortunate to have a handful of very dedicated donors who have stood by us during some challenging times and with Gonarezhou National Park now selected as a Legacy Landscape under the Legacy Landscape Fund, it will only further secure the future of this living landscape and key protected area for generations to come”
Parks, like Gonarezhou, selected under the German international public-private fund cooperate closely with local populations and adjacent communities.
About three-quarters of Gonarezhou staff originate from within 15 kilometers of the Park´s boundary.
German Development Minister Svenja Schulze said, “Conserving biodiversity for local people will continue to be a focus for Germany’s international engagement. I am therefore particularly pleased that the LLF is funding further protected areas.”
“It is our goal and aspiration to support more areas as soon as possible. This will also benefit the local population.”
The LLF was launched in 2021 and its financial resources stem from public and private funds.
Van der Westhuizen said, “Protected and wild areas remain the mainstay of biodiversity conservation and our best tool at mitigating against climate change across the globe. Managing these areas effectively requires long-term commitment and funding.”
