Title:
RESETTLED FARMERS PHILOSOPHIES OF THE MONITOR LIZARD: IMPLICATIONS FOR RURAL CONSERVATION TOURISM IN MAKONI DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE

Authors:
Winnet Masikati,Zimbabwe

Abstract:
Makoni district is mainly in the savannah wetlands where different species of reptiles thrived before farmers were resettled. This study identified resettled farmers’ philosophies (thinking and beliefs) and their implications for rural tourism conservation destination planning. The study was guided by a qualitative research philosophy. Desk research was carried out to understand the monitor lizard as a reptile species. Empirical data was collected from purposive samples of 67 resettled farmers through focus group discussions and interviews. A snowball sample of 8 traditional doctors was visited and interviewed to gather their medicinal use of monitor lizards. The study found that: reptiles in general and monitor lizards in particular were in abundance when farmers moved in the estate for farming. Agriculture activities destroyed reptiles’ habitats through dam siltation and vegetation clearance. Monitor lizards became a common sight in homes and were killed. Farmers of the Garwe (crocodile) totem believed that monitor lizards are spirit messengers bringing good luck. They respect and do not harm them. This belief promotes rural tourism conservation. Other farmers believed that motor lizards were used by witches to bring bad luck to them, and either feared or killed them. Such an indifferent attitude can be nurtured to promote reptile tourism conservation through lobbying and advocacy. Another group of farmers hunted monitor lizards for meat. Traditional doctors and their patients believed that animal characteristics and virtues can be transferred to human beings. They used monitor lizards’ fat, meat, skins and bones to make charms which could make an individual possessing them stronger, decisive, manage to survive by self-defence and dominate by rejuvenation. These charms were reported as used by church and political leaders. Dominant house-wives were also reported to use striped skink tails and monitor lizard fats. Traditional doctors had positive attitudes towards monitor lizard tourism conservation. They had no substitutes for medications which required the monitor lizard portion. They considered rural tourism conservation noble to preserve monitors. Conclusively, the study recommends the establishment of a rural tourism conservation destination in resettlement farms before monitors are exploitation to extinction from Makoni district resettlement farms