Zambia Steps Up Human-Wildlife Conflict Response with Stakeholder Action Plan

The Ministry of Tourism has convened a high-level multi-stakeholder meeting in Lusaka to address the escalating challenge of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) across the country.

Held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, the meeting brought together representatives from government ministries, traditional leadership, cooperating partners, conservation organisations, community resource boards and the private sector to explore practical solutions that safeguard human lives and livelihoods while protecting Zambia’s biodiversity.

Opening the session, Tourism Permanent Secretary Evans Muhanga reaffirmed government’s commitment to balanced solutions.

“Human-wildlife conflict is not merely an environmental challenge; it is a social, economic and developmental issue. We must ensure harmony between people and wildlife while promoting tourism and rural development. Through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, we are strengthening early warning systems, raising community awareness and introducing innovative deterrent methods,” he said.

Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) Director Dominic Chiinda highlighted the department’s frontline role in mitigating conflict.

“Our teams, including village scouts and community resource boards, are enhancing rapid response capacity, adopting non-lethal deterrents such as chilli-based repellents, and working closely with traditional leaders to establish safe zones for both people and wildlife,” he explained.

Cooperating partners, including international conservation NGOs and development agencies, pledged continued support and called for:

• Long-term investment in community-led conservation.
• Integration of local knowledge in wildlife management.
• Cross-border collaboration for migratory wildlife challenges.
• Research and innovation in prevention technologies.
• Development of a National HWC Strategy.

The meeting agreed that tackling HWC requires a united approach in which government, communities, conservationists and the private sector share ownership of solutions.

The Ministry of Tourism described the gathering as a milestone in efforts to align conservation with community needs. Joint recommendations from the meeting will guide both immediate measures and long-term strategies for HWC management, in line with Zambia’s tourism and biodiversity objectives.