The Potential of Environmental Stewardship in Dealing with Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Crisis: Case of Bindura District.

Environmental degradation poses an existential threat to sustainable development in Zimbabwe, necessitating innovative and holistic management frameworks. This paper posits that environmental stewardship conceptualized as the responsible use, protection, and care of natural systems through collective, ethical action offers a robust, though not singular, pathway for reconciling conservation with socio-economic development. Employing a systematic literature review and synthesis of contemporary case studies, this analysis critically examines the manifestations, drivers, and barriers of environmental stewardship within Zimbabwe’s unique socio-political context. Findings indicate that when stewardship principles are integrated across governance scales, economic sectors, and community practices, they can effectively mitigate deforestation, land degradation, water scarcity, and pollution. However, its efficacy is contingent upon overcoming entrenched institutional weaknesses, economic instability, and knowledge-policy gaps. The paper contributes to sustainability science by proposing an integrated, multi-scalar stewardship model tailored to Zimbabwe. It concludes with evidence-based policy recommendations aimed at strengthening institutional coordination, enhancing community-led governance, leveraging technology, and aligning economic incentives with sustainability goals to foster resilient socio-ecological systems.

environmental stewardship; sustainable development; socio-ecological systems; governance

1. Armitage, D., Plummer, R., Berkes, F., Arthur, R. I., Charles, A. T., Davidson-Hunt, I. J., ... & Wollenberg, E. K. (2009). Adaptive co-management for social–ecological complexity. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 7(2), 95-102. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Balint, P. J., & Mashinya, J. (2019). CAMPFIRE during Zimbabwe’s national crisis: Local impacts and broader implications for community-based wildlife management. Society & Natural Resources, 32(8), 858-875. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Bennett, N. J., Whitty, T. S., Finkbeiner, E., Pittman, J., Bassett, H., Gelcich, S., & Allison, E. H. (2018). Environmental stewardship: A conceptual review and analytical framework. Environmental Management, 61(4), 597-614. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Brundtland, G. H. (1987). Our common future: Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development. Oxford University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Bvirindi, S. (2025). Positioning Zimbabwe in the climate change mitigation-adaptation discourse: exploring benefits, barriers and risks. Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-025-06723-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Chanza, N., & Musakwa, W. (2025). Positioning Zimbabwe in the climate change mitigation-adaptation discourse: exploring benefits, barriers and risks. Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-025-06723-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Chapin, F. S., Carpenter, S. R., Kofinas, G. P., Folke, C., Abel, N., Clark, W. C., ... & Swanson, F. J. (2010). Ecosystem stewardship: sustainability strategies for a rapidly changing planet. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 25(4), 241-249. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Chitakira, M., & Nyikadzino, B. (2025). Effectiveness of environmental management institutions in sustainable water resources management in the upper Pungwe River basin, Zimbabwe. Environmental Development. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2025.100876 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Duraiappah, A. K., Roddy, P., & Parry, J. E. (2022). The Capability Approach and the Sustainable Development Goals: Partners in Change. International Institute for Sustainable Development. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Environmental Management Agency [EMA]. (2023). State of the Environment Report. Government of Zimbabwe. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Fisher, J. A., Patenaude, G., Gass, C., Lewis, K., Meir, P., Pinho, P., ... & Williams, M. (2020). Strengthening conceptual foundations for analyzing sustainability in the Anthropocene. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 45, 481-508. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Folke, C., Biggs, R., Norström, A. V., Reyers, B., & Rockström, J. (2016). Social-ecological resilience and biosphere-based sustainability science. Ecology and Society, 21(3), 41. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Kates, R. W., Clark, W. C., Corell, R., Hall, J. M., Jaeger, C. C., Lowe, I., ... & Svedin, U. (2001). Sustainability science. Science, 292(5517), 641-642. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Katsidzira Brian Tinashe. (2025). Navigating Challenges and Harnessing Opportunities for Implementing Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: The Case of Zimbabwe. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 9(8), 346-354. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Kwinje, C. P., Chingwaro, L., Moyo, T., & Mutizira, P. (2024). Evaluating the Influence of Economic Constraints on the Implementation of Environmental Management Systems in Zimbabwe: A Case Study of Hotel Chains in Harare. Zimbabwe Journal of Business, Economics and Management, 4(1), 1-15. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Leßmann, O., & Rauschmayer, F. (2019). Re-conceptualizing sustainable development on the basis of the capability approach: A model and its difficulties. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 20(1), 1-22. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Matarirano, L., Yeboah, T., & Chigwada, J. (2022). Youth-led agroecological initiatives and climate resilience in rural Zimbabwe. Journal of Rural Studies, 94, 196-205. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Matowanyika, J. Z. Z. (2022). Indigenous knowledge systems and natural resource management in Zimbabwe: Past, present and future. In African Indigenous Knowledge and the Sciences (pp. 89-104). Brill. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Matsa, M. (2020). The dynamism of stakeholder engagement in environmental stewardship: A case of Bindura’s mining belt, Zimbabwe. Environmental Development, 34, 100527. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Mavhura, E., & Mushure, S. (2019). Forest and wildlife resource-conservation efforts based on indigenous knowledge: The case of Nharira community in Chikomba district, Zimbabwe. Forest Policy and Economics, 105, 83-90. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Mazorodze, B. T. (2025). Environment attitudes and social influence of sustainable practices: a study on consumer behaviour in Zimbabwe. Future Business Journal, 11(87). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-02500499-6 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Mkodzongi, G., & Lawrence, P. (2019). The fast-track land reform and agrarian change in Zimbabwe. Review of African Political Economy, 46(159), 1-13. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Moyo, T. (2023). Corporate Environmental Responsibility in the Zimbabwean Mining Sector: The Role of Ownership and Governance. Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of Zimbabwe. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Munhende, L. (2025). A free for all: Chinese miners vandalise one of Zimbabwe's most iconic natural reserves. The Zimbabwean. Retrieved from https://www.thezimbabwean.co/2025/11/a-free-for-allchinese-miners-vandalise-one-of-zimbabwes-most-iconic-natural-reserves/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Musakwa, W., Mpofu, E., & Nyathi, N. A. (2020). The application of earth observation and artificial intelligence for monitoring land degradation in Zimbabwe. Geocarto International, 35(16), 1814-1832. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Nussbaum, M. C. (2011). Creating capabilities: The human development approach. Harvard University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Robeyns, I. (2017). Wellbeing, freedom and social justice: The capability approach re-examined. Open Book Publishers. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Schlosberg, D., & Carruthers, D. (2020). Indigenous struggles, environmental justice, and community capabilities. Global Environmental Politics, 10(4), 12-35. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Sen, A. (1999). Development as freedom. Oxford University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Tengö, M., Brondizio, E. S., Elmqvist, T., Malmer, P., & Spierenburg, M. (2014). Connecting diverse knowledge systems for enhanced ecosystem governance: the multiple evidence base approach. Ambio, 43, 579-591. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. UNDP. (2025). Zimbabwe. Adaptation UNDP. Retrieved from https://www.adaptationundp.org/explore/africa/zimbabwe [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. West, S., Haider, L. J., Stålhammar, S., & Woroniecki, S. (2018). A relational turn for sustainability science? Relational thinking, leverage points and transformations. Ecosystems and People, 14(1), 39-50. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Methane Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste - Case Study in Cai Rang District, Can Tho City, Vietnam
• Youth Activism, Intentional Integration of Policies to Raise Awareness on Climate Change Action among the Youth
• Breathing Spaces: Environmental & User Experience in Dhanmondi and Zigatola Multistoried Apartments, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Effects of Solid Waste Disposal on Soil Quality in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria
• Environmental Impact of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Borgu Local Government Area