Zimbabwe

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The Middle Zambezi Biosphere Reserve on the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe consists of two core zones, where nature is strictly protected, and eleven buffer zones, which are used for research and education. It contains complex riverine and terrestrial ecosystems that are unique on the African continent. The Zambezi Valley is home to numerous animal and plant species, including endangered species such as the black rhino, wild dog and nyala. In addition to the Zambezi floodplain forest, the flora consists of three other types of forest.

About 40,600 people live in the biosphere reserve area most of them in the urban areas of the biosphere reserve and its 2,879,300 hectare buffer zone.

The Middle Zambezi is a relatively young biosphere reserve, having been established in 2010. However, it has undergone considerable change and development over the fifteen years, including the addition of new areas to the biosphere reserve. UNESCO's International Advisory Committee on Biosphere Reserves evaluated the Middle Zambezi Biosphere Reserve in 2020 and made recommendations for further improvements to its management structure.

The German Commission for UNESCO provided financial support for the implementation of these recommendations to make the biosphere reserve even more sustainable in its structures and more efficient in its management. As part of the project, the Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO, with the help of local consultants, revised the zoning map of the reserve. Consultants then drew up a new management plan to ensure the vast area was better managed. Various stakeholders and representatives from the four main districts of Guruve, Makonde, Kariba and Gokwe were involved in the process. The results of the work and the next steps were documented and submitted to UNESCO for further review and consultation.