This article uses Chirinda Forest as a lens through which to view wildlife conservation policy and practice in colonial Zimbabwe. Situated in eastern Zimbabwe, Chirinda Forest was unique in that though located in a typical savannah climate, it was a tropical rainforest and the only one of its kind in Zimbabwe. The article examines the structure, variety, maturity and density of the forest’s trees. It describes its diverse game and water systems and contrasts the forest’s traditional and modern ownership patterns. It also traces how the state acquired this forest and sought to conserve it for aesthetic, scientific, educational and recreational reasons processes that set the state on a collision course with African communities surrounding this forest, who valued it as a source for timber, firewood, medicine, game and other resources. Drawing on the history of Chirinda Forest, the study questions the appropriateness and effectiveness of colonial conservation policies while exploring the strategies adopted by the marginalised sections of society to access clandestinely wildlife resources from this forest.

中文翻译：

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保护津巴布韦的野生动物资源：对奇林达森林的反思，1920 年代至 1979 年

本文使用奇林达森林作为镜头，通过它来观察殖民时期津巴布韦的野生动物保护政策和实践。奇林达森林位于津巴布韦东部，其独特之处在于虽然地处典型的热带草原气候，但却是一片热带雨林，也是津巴布韦唯一的热带雨林。本文考察了森林树木的结构、品种、成熟度和密度。它描述了其多样化的游戏和水系统，并对比了森林的传统和现代所有权模式。它还追溯了国家如何获得这片森林并出于审美、科学、教育和娱乐的原因寻求保护它的过程使该州与围绕这片森林的非洲社区发生冲突，后者将其视为木材、木柴、医药、游戏等资源。