Introduction
Helping in the maintenance and rejuvenation of the Zambezi National Park and Kazuma Pan National Park, northern Zimbabwe.
Researcher/Coordinator: Trevor Lane and Stephen Long, Bhejane Trust
Country: Zimbabwe
Background
Bhejane Trust is a non-profit organisation formed by Trevor Lane and Stephen Long in 2009, originally based at Sinamatella, with the intention of monitoring the black rhino population in conjunction with the Parks and Wildlife Authority staff on the ground. Bhejane Trust now has a full-time rhino monitor with a vehicle at Sinamatella. It has also installed eight solar water pumps, one ZESA unit, repaired two windmills and now runs 12 water points, in addition to other aid, including deployments, anti-poaching, maintaining tourism facilities and staff welfare.
In the Zambezi National Park, Bhejane Trust has reclaimed the Chamabonda Vlei, which had been neglected for many years – four new boreholes have been drilled and six existing ones equipped with solar pumps, and five water points fed. Other activities include rebuilding a hide, putting in 11km of all-weather road, added over 25 km of game drive roads, working on a burning programme with Parks, and generally helping out wherever possible.
In Kazuma Pan National Park, Bhejane Trust has put in two solar water points, the first pumped water in Kazuma for years. The Trust is working with Parks on a management plan, plus adding more roads and game water points. In the Robins area of Hwange National Park, Bhejane Trust has installed nine solar pump units to date, many on boreholes not used for many years.
Objectives
To purchase water meters and similar equipment required for the management and monitoring of game water pumps and water points. Water meters are to monitor all installed pumps for variances and performances, to ensure maximum efficiency of operations and continual maintenance of water points.
To purchase a drone for anti-poaching operations, for rhino monitoring and for wildlife research projects. The drone will be used to counter cross-river poaching by Zambian poachers aiming for elephant, to monitor rhino without disturbing them, and to conduct surveys of hippo on the Zambezi River, including population variances.
