Hwange (Indonsakusa-New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe National Parks (Zimparks) has moved its provincial administration office to Hwange town to enable it to provide efficient service to the public and the local community, an official said.

Zimparks public relations manager, Tinashe Farawo confirmed the relocation to the coal mining town, saying the move is with immediate effect.

“We want to ensure that at least our people have access to our services, be it human and wildlife conflict, be it application for business, all these important services will be found in the Hwange Cluster office,” he said.

He said the office will be responding to the problematic animals such as baboons and snakes which have become commonplace in the area due to population pressure and the recurrent droughts that have forced the wild animals out of their habitat in search of food and water.

Among other services, bookings for game drives, fishing and information on the Professional Hunters Licence (PHL) will also be offered at this new office.

Farawo said Zimparks had now reduced its regions from four to three. It now has eight clusters of which the Hwange cluster covers Hwange and Victoria Falls.

Before the relocation, Zimparks provincial administration office was at the Hwange Main Camp, which is more than 100km away from Hwange town. Prior to that, the office was based in Bulawayo.

Decentralization is seen as necessary to improve service delivery to the public, and promoting national integration.

Indonsakusa-New Ziana