THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE TO THE NATION-STATE - SUPERPARKS AND THE NATIONAL-PARKS POLICY IN ZIMBABWE

The transnational nature of environmental problems has highlighted the need for cooperation between nation-states. In southern Africa the fi eld of wildlife conservation has already witnessed a growth in multina tional conservation schemes. The Trans Border Conservation Area or 'su perpark' which incorporates parts of Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Af rica is a good example. While the ecological and economic basis of the superpark has been agreed, political factors have slowed its implemen tation. This article explores the political context of the superpark p roposal within Zimbabwe, and analyses why the Zimbabwean stare has pro ved to be less enthusiastic than its partners. In particular, it exami nes the internal disagreements in the ruling party and in the Parks De partment which have proved to be significant stumbling blocks for wild life conservation. The troubled history of the area covered by the sup erpark is investigated, including the impact of military forces from t he three partner states and poaching operations in the 1980s. All of t hese factors have impacted on the Zimbabwean state's willingness to ce de control to a transnational park authority.