Legacy to build hotel in Livingstone
From NDUBI R. MVULA
Continued from last week
QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION
(Summarised)
Q1. Francis Shalwiindi (National Heritage Conservation Commission - NHCC)
How many stakeholders were consulted before allocating land to Legacy Holdings in the World Heritage Site?
A1. Dr. Saiwana (Director General, Zambia Wildlife Authority - ZAWA)
We have to follow a process. The land needs to be leased out before doing an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Now various stakeholders are being consulted.
Follow up to Q1. Francis Shalwiindi
NHCC is a major player and should have been involved right from the start. The land contains national monuments (protected sites), which were declared long before the National Park was declared. How did Legacy Holdings enter into an agreement without consulting NHCC? Meanwhile, an international agreement was signed by Zambia, Zimbabwe and UNESCO concerning the World Heritage Site. A regional agreement was also signed between Zambia and Zimbabwe. NHCC have just received a submission from UNESCO: "The World Heritage Centre and IUCN note with great concern the threats… and lack of follow up on the 2002 meeting. There is need for a joint management programme. A joint UNESCO-IUCN mission is required to assess the state of the property.
Q2. Mike Musgrave (Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Society of
Zambia - WECSZ)
Who should hold a scoping meeting - Environmental Council of Zambia or the Developers?
A2. Levy Mosho (Legal Council for Legacy Holdings)
Regulation No. 8 of the Statutory Instrument states that an EIA shall be prepared by the developer. To ensure that public reviews are taken into account, the developer shall organise a public consultation process.
Q3. Margaret Whitehead (Former Councillor and Resident of Livingstone)
In the recently approved Livingstone Structure Plan for Livingstone District Council, the vision of the council is given as:
"Livingstone, as the main tourism destination in Zambia, must strive to become the preferred tourism destination in Southern Africa, through provision of a quality tourism experience, by resolutely protecting the World Heritage Site and its surrounds, and actively promoting this unique environment, thereby improving the economic situation and quality of life of the residents."
And the mission is given as:
"The mission of the Livingstone City Council is to provide minimum level of services that are affordable and to ensure that the costs of such services are recovered in order to protect the environment of this World Heritage Site and promote sustainable development."
How is a golf course preserving the World Heritage Site? Why was the Council not informed before the foundation stone was laid? And why was permission not requested for change of use of this bit of land?
A3. Dr. Saiwana (ZAWA)
ZAWA is the authority on developments taking place in a National Park. All plans are supposed to be given to ZAWA. When this has been done and the EIA approved, ZAWA will submit plans to the Council. The District Council is not a planning authority in a National Park.
Follow up to Q3. Margaret Whitehead
The question has not been answered. How does Legacy see the project as being compatible with the National Park and the World Heritage Site?
Answer to follow up on Q3.
Jacob Sikazwe (Legacy Holdings)
Heritage is there to be enjoyed for future generations. But how do we enjoy this heritage? We need to be able to enjoy it.
Moderator
NHCC should put their concerns in writing.
Dr. Saiwana (ZAWA)
The area is a national park and therefore ZAWA have full control over it. They do not have to get permission from Council. There are laws governing this. People cannot just make up their own laws. Concerning NHCC, their Act is more recent than the ZAWA Act, so they cannot claim that they have prior rights or control in this area.
L. Muleya (ZAWA)
Make sure a heritage specialist is included on the EIA team, and a wildlife specialist.
Q4. Nicholas Katanekwa (Chairperson Livingstone Tourism Association - LTA)
The LTA is happy when new colleagues come into the business, but also concerned that the development is coming in without looking at issues agreed in various agreements with IUCN and Zimbabwe. There are many documents, which have already analysed the potential impact of increased tourism in this area, such as the IUCN study. Most tourists come to Zambia for the wilderness value. What is Legacy doing for the wilderness value? We are interested in investors, but investment should be properly planned.
A4. Dr. Saiwana (ZAWA)
Your contributions are valid and will be included. All these issues have been taken into consideration.
Follow up to Q4. Nicholas Katanekwa
Let the project not be stopped at some stage because certain authorities have been overlooked. We need the development but let the planning be done systematically.
The authorities, such as the Council, NHCC, World Heritage Committee, have not been involved.
On the Council boundary, part of this land is under council and the council have jurisdiction.
Follow up to Q4. Margaret Whitehead
The Livingstone District Council boundary includes the whole of the National Park.
Mr. Darius Hakayobe, Southern Province Permanent Secretary's parting remarks (as he left the meeting)
I am very happy about this development for Livingstone. NHCC should not raise questions they should have raised earlier. Can we please define stakeholders. We should include all stakeholders. Please consult widely and give us the way forward.
Q5. Henry Muloongo (Livingstone Museum)
Where have the public been involved in this issue?
The foundation stone has been laid. How binding will the decision by the ECZ be? Will the foundation stone be brought down if the proposal is rejected?
A5. Jacob Sikazwe (Legacy Holdings)
The foundation stone is just a symbol, showing that Legacy has been welcomed and now have a stake in this area.
Q6. Mike Musgrave (WECSZ)
The EIA law is weak. But the process should include the spirit of the EIA, not just depend on laws. We have seen promises in EIAs that have not been kept and the EIAs have not been followed up. For example, Sun Hotels fenced off their hotel from wildlife - was that in the EIA? They have left the elephants with no corridor - was that in the EIA? From your presentation I am not very clear where you are planning to leave an elephant corridor.
A6. Dr. Saiwana (ZAWA)
ZAWA was supposed to have implemented the EIA for the Sun Hotels. This should be followed up by ZAWA. It is a problem of ZAWA.
Q7. Dr Shanks (Medical Centre)
Is Elephant Hills Golf Course in the World Heritage Site? It is in a national park. It is full of wildlife.
Q8. Mulyokela Kalaluka (Wildlife Consultant)
i) Mosi-o-Tunya has no approved management plan, so how has this development been planned?
ii) Is this site in a development zone?
iii) What is the principal resource value on which the Mosi-o-Tunya National Park is anchored?
iv) Was that land advertised on such a large scale? I thought only small pieces of land were advertised?
A8. Jacob Sikazwe (Legacy Holdings)
The resources of the park include the river frontage, wildlife, islands, falls, heritage sites, land and vegetation, among others.
Dr. Saiwana (ZAWA)
Yes, the land was advertised.
Q9. Namakau Silumesii(Zambezi FM Radio)
i) You say this is a planning session, but it seems to be a sealed done-deal.
ii) How will ZAWA control the elephants coming into the farms if this development goes ahead?
iii) Will our children be able to see the river after this? We cannot see it at Sun Hotel; we are not allowed just to go in to look at the river.
iv) Will this promised job creation really materialise? The current created jobs are just another form of slavery.
v) We don't mind development, but please take it somewhere else.
vi) Where it is, will it really help the local people?
A9. Moderator
No, it is not a done deal until the EIA is approved.
Jacob Sikazwe (Legacy Holdings)
The issue of jobs applies to all developers.
Q10. Kinny Ntambale (Zambia National Information Services - ZANIS)
How many applicants have been turned down for the same area before
Legacy?
A10. Dr. Saiwana (ZAWA)
The proper tender process was followed. I don't have figures of how many
applied.
Follow up to Q10. Kinny Ntambale
I have information that at least 9 applicants for this same piece of land have been turned down over the last five years. They were told that they were turned down because this was a National Park and was not suitable for development. What makes Legacy's application different? There seems to have been a lack of transparency over this whole issue. Furthermore, people come here to see the elephants. Elephants currently use this area. You cannot decide on a corridor for elephants. This apprehension by the people of Livingstone is as a result of their past experiences.
Q11. Martin Hitchins (Livingstone Residents Association)
Livingstone welcomes your investment, but there are a lot of concerns. Sun Hotel was not built as per their original plan. They had to adjust to the EIA.
Q12. Clement Chisanga (Director of Planning, Livingstone City Council - LCC)
i) First, as a clarification, the 'neck' of the Maramba River has always been part of the Park. However, since the park is on the edge of the planning boundary, the developers still have to get planning permission from LCC.
ii) The issue of traffic also has to be considered. Livingstone already has a traffic problem, and the Livingstone-Falls road is not wide enough to handle the kind of traffic that would result from this development.
iii) The socio-economic impact also has to be considered. Livingstone already has a golf course in town. Will the development complement the city? Do we really need another golf course - to take away potential golfers from the city one?
iv) The developers and consultants should be aware that the Livingstone City Council has a sewage outlet within the site, which is used when there are problems with the other one.
A12. Jacob Sikazwe
Livingstone's population is growing – the golf course will complement
others. Variety is needed.
Q13. Michael Nang'alelwa (NHCC)
There are a lot of weaknesses in the EIA process. It restricts itself to only the site area. But the impacts of the development will not be localised. For example, the corridor for elephants has already been restricted by Sun. This will affect their movements in the whole area. A wildlife corridor is not a narrow path. We need to include the whole ecosystem. Documents already exist, such as the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment of the Victoria Falls area of 1996, sponsored by the IUCN. These should be used for reference when preparing the EIA. Concerning the World Heritage Site, last year UNESCO sent a team of experts to do an assessment of the site, since they were concerned about the increasing number of developments in the area.
Q14. Clare Mateke (WECSZ)
i) You said that we need this development to be able to enjoy the heritage. Some of us are already enjoying it - through bird walks, picnics, outings, etc. in this area. If this development goes ahead we will no longer be able to enjoy it. You mentioned that you will take your clients for bird walks - where? There will be very few birds left after this. And you said you will encourage your clients to visit other parks to see the wildlife. Why do we have to destroy this one for the sake of other parks?
ii) How do you plan to fit an elephant corridor within this site? It is already small for an elephant corridor. Most other places on the river are already developed and have blocked elephant movement by fencing or other means. This is one of the only places they have left. If you only leave a very narrow corridor, how are you going to inform the elephants which way to go?
iii) Did ZAWA or Legacy Holdings consider any alternative site to this one, considering that this has been designated as a protected area by so many national and international bodies? Please include in the EIA under the alternatives, the alternative option of moving the development to another site altogether, preferably outside the park, there is plenty of room elsewhere, such as on the road to Mukuni Village, where there is a lovely view.
A14. Jacob Sikazwe (Legacy Holdings)
There will still be birds after construction. As it was mentioned, there is wildlife on the golf course in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. We will encourage clients to visit other parks, which will help Zambia in general.
L Muleya (ZAWA)
i) There will be no fencing allowed.
ii) ZAWA identified the sites for development. This was followed by advertising them for tender.
iii) There is no alternative site once the sites have been given out.
Q15. Benjamin Mibenge (Environmentalist)
Why are we only talking about elephants? I haven't heard anyone talking about insect or bird corridors.
This development will affect not only the elephants, but also the whole natural environment - the birds, trees, insects, reptiles and other small animals.
These golf courses will require fertilizer and other chemicals. These will affect many of the existing plants and animals. We need to consider all these. This is the only country we have.
I am speaking on behalf of the silent majority!
Q16. Lackson Nthani (Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation - ZNBC)
I have hardly heard any answers to the various questions that have been raised. So I want straight YES or NO answers to my questions.
(Interjected and cautioned by the Moderator not to be confrontational)
i) The site where the foundation stone was unveiled used to be the Maramba Cultural Village. It was abandoned because the elephants kept damaging the buildings. Has the government now changed its mind?
Answer – Dr. Saiwana (ZAWA)
We have taken note and will address it. The developers are not going to block the elephant corridor, and will not cut any trees. Elephants are going to cross to the island and feed in the national park.
There will be no fencing; animals will be free to move around. ZAWA is going to construct its HQ at the old cultural village.
ii) Has Zambia decided to ignore all the national and international agreements?
(No answer given, except from the moderator that it had already been answered)
iii) Are ZAWA going to refund the US$9 million down payment from Legacy Holdings if the project is not approved?
Answer – Dr. Saiwana (ZAWA)
ZAWA has not yet received any money from the developers, and will only do so once the EIA process has been completed.
iv) Are the press not stakeholders?
Answer - Moderator
They are part of the process - they disseminate the submissions of the
stakeholders.
Closing remarks from Senior Chief Mukuni
Senior Chief Mukuni ended the meeting with an impassioned speech saying that Livingstone needed the development to provide jobs for the people of Mukuni.
He said he had expected to see the poor people of Mukuni at the meeting. He could see no reason why the development should not be in the park and did not want it up in his area.
He said that Sandton City, in Johannesburg, brought a lot of visitors because of the towers, and that we needed that kind of development in Livingstone to bring in more tourists.
He questioned why the Zambian side of the heritage site had so much protected area, and suggested we be downgraded to allow for more development with less restriction.
The Senior Chief asked why there had been no EIA for the World Heritage Site and why his people had not been consulted. He also questioned why there were no poor people from places like Libuyu or Mukuni at the meeting.
He ended by saying that anyone against the development should leave Livingstone.
Closing remarks from M r. Sikazwe, Legacy Holdings
Contributions and suggestions and future submissions will be considered.
Closing remarks from MWANGALA zALOUMIS, MODERATOR
The Moderator informed those present that this was the end of the meeting but not the end of submissions.
Written submissions should be sent to the Legacy Holdings address below:
Email: bicon@zamnet.zm
Postal Address: 4 Omelo Mumba Road, Rhodes Park, P. O. Box 39528, Lusaka.
When asked which consultants were conducting the EIA, the two private consultants, Mrs Njeri Kimani and Mr Jacob Chishiba were introduced.
They each gave their background training and experience and said that they were private consultants contracted by Bicon to conduct this EIA.
The consultants and Legacy Directors did not give the company name for consultants but simply insisted that they were private consultants.
The meeting, which had started late at nearly 10:00 hours, ended after 14:00 hours.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
A way forward ?..
Should the alternative Legacy site - details of which should by now be with Legacy Holdings, be acceptable, consideration should be given to an enlarged Park-cum-conservancy (which would include Legacy), managed under a public private partnership between ZAWA and the NHCC, the Livingstone Council, the Mikumi Trust, Legacy, Sun Hotels and WECSZ, with inputs from UNESCO, IUCN, AWF, Fauna & Flora org - as part of the five-nation, Kaza Transfrontier Conservation Area. This would provide the capital and expertise necessary to manage what would be a permanent jewel in the Zambian conservation crown.
Ian Manning
Ian Manning
Workshop on Mosi-oa-Tunya NP Management Plan
[From a letter from Nasson Tembo, ZAWA Regional Manager, Central Region, dated 22nd August 2006]
Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) with financial support from the World Bank is in the process of preparing the General Management Plan for Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. The main goal is to formulate a Management Plan that will contribute to effective conservation, management and development of tourism in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
It is in view of the above that ZAWA [will be holding] a five-day stakeholders'workshop to be held in Livingstone from Monday, 11th to Friday 15th September 2006.
Clare
Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) with financial support from the World Bank is in the process of preparing the General Management Plan for Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. The main goal is to formulate a Management Plan that will contribute to effective conservation, management and development of tourism in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
It is in view of the above that ZAWA [will be holding] a five-day stakeholders'workshop to be held in Livingstone from Monday, 11th to Friday 15th September 2006.
Clare
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
The assessment road ahead...
The Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) explains the process for the environmental evaluation of the proposed Legacy Holdings development in the Victoria Falls World heritage Site …
Danny Mwango of ECZ confirmed receipt of the Legacy Holdings Zambia Scoping Report, part of the requirements for Legacy to properly consult with all stakeholders. He explains what will now take place:
1. The Scoping report (for a full Environmental Impact Assessment by Legacy Holdings) includes the c.v.’s of those consultants put forward by Legacy to carry out the report, and the terms of reference (TOR) for the study (this study should have preceded the draft environmental assessment which had been submitted by Legacy Holdings).
2. The Scoping report is then approved – or not, by ECZ
3. Legacy Holdings then carry out the EIA; full consultations with stakeholders being required
4. ECZ carry out an internal review of the EIA, and may decide to call for a further EIA
5. ECZ then make public in the press over a two week period that the EIA is available for inspection at ECZ
6. Then, under a neutral facilitator/chairman, a public hearing in Livingstone will be held.
7. The ECZ then make a decision.
8. In the event of disagreements, the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources makes a decision.
Obviously, those who are in disagreement with such a decision are free to revert to the courts.
Danny Mwango of ECZ confirmed receipt of the Legacy Holdings Zambia Scoping Report, part of the requirements for Legacy to properly consult with all stakeholders. He explains what will now take place:
1. The Scoping report (for a full Environmental Impact Assessment by Legacy Holdings) includes the c.v.’s of those consultants put forward by Legacy to carry out the report, and the terms of reference (TOR) for the study (this study should have preceded the draft environmental assessment which had been submitted by Legacy Holdings).
2. The Scoping report is then approved – or not, by ECZ
3. Legacy Holdings then carry out the EIA; full consultations with stakeholders being required
4. ECZ carry out an internal review of the EIA, and may decide to call for a further EIA
5. ECZ then make public in the press over a two week period that the EIA is available for inspection at ECZ
6. Then, under a neutral facilitator/chairman, a public hearing in Livingstone will be held.
7. The ECZ then make a decision.
8. In the event of disagreements, the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources makes a decision.
Obviously, those who are in disagreement with such a decision are free to revert to the courts.
Monday, August 28, 2006
At the recent scoping meeting, 'twas said by NHCC...
Director for Conservation Services at the National Heritage Conservation Commission, Francis Shalwiindi said the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO World Heritage Centre may withdraw the World Heritage status on the Victoria Falls and the surrounding area if the project goes ahead.
Mr. Shalwiindi said UNESCO has already written to the NHCC expressing its concerns over the proposed project and asked why Zambia is abrogating international and regional conventions.
Mr. Shalwiindi said UNESCO has already written to the NHCC expressing its concerns over the proposed project and asked why Zambia is abrogating international and regional conventions.
Press Release by the National Heritage Conservation Commission
PRESS RELEASE ON THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF A RESORT IN THE MOSI-OA-TUNYA NATIONAL PARK/VICTORIA FALLS WORLD HERITAGE SITE BY LEGACY HOLDINGS ZAMBIA LIMITED (The Post, 28 August 06)
Legacy Holdings Zambia Limited is part of the Legacy International Consortium of Hotels, Bush Lodges and Resorts. Legacy Holdings Zambia Limited holds a Tourism Concession Agreement (TCA) with the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) to develop the Mosi-oa-Tunya Hotel and Country Club Estate. The project is on lot 14734/M along the Zambezi River in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park/World Heritage Site upstream of the Victoria Falls.
JUSTIFICATION
The Zambian Government has made tourism development and diversification as its second priority on the list of resuscitating Zambia's economy. To this end, Government has embarked on a public facility but private driven initiative as way of accelerating and enhancing tourism development. Cardinal to this initiative is the Public Private Partnership initiative (PPPI) policy. This is the Government's policy of realizing its objective of facilitating development of the industry while the private sector takes a leading role.
MOSI-OA-TUNYA NATIONAL PARK/WORLD HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT
It is in this context that a portion of the Mosi-oa- Tunya National Park, which is also a northerm part of the World Heritage site, was tendered for development. The area in question has been earmarked for tourism development as reflected in the Mosi-oa- Tunya Management Plan. This portion among others such as African Queen, Waterfront, Bwaato, Taonga, Batoka Sky and Gwembe Safaris Jetty were presented at the Bi-National Workshop held between the two state parties namely Zambia and Zimbabwe to the World Heritage Protocol.
MOSI-OA-TUNYA/VICTORIA FALLS WORLD HERITAGE MANAGEMENT
The Zambian side of World Heritage Site is co-managed by the Zambia Wildlife Authority and National Heritage Conservation Commission. The two institutions are statutory bodies under the parent Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources.
The World Heritage Site is the Southern part of the Mosi-oa- Tunya National Park and is also a Natural Monument under UNESCO classification, thus the co-management by the two institutions along their respective pieces of legislation as provided for accordingly. The two institutions have further signed a Memorandum of Understanding on how the World Heritage site is to be managed and benefits arising there from co-shared.
Of late, an impression has been created that ZAWA and the National Heritage Conservation Commission are not working together with regard to the management of this national asset. We would like to inform the public that the two institutions are in common agreement with each other for any development that would affect this ecological sensitive area positively or negatively.
As custodians of this Asset on behalf of the State and International Community, Zambia Wildlife Authority and National Heritage Conservation Commission have always ensured and will always endeavour that any proposed development does not impact negatively on this precarious resource. To this end, every effort is made that both the National Laws and International statutes, which are in place to protect this site are enforced and respected
UNESCO'S LATEST STAND ON THE MOSI-OA-TUNYA WORLD HERITAGE SITE
At the recent meeting of the World Heritage Committee held from 7th to 10th July 2006 in Vilnius, Lithuania, the following issues were raised/addressed:
i) The committee noted with great concern the failure to implement the recommendations of the 2002 bilateral workshop recommendations;
ii) The committee felt that the integrity of the property remained threatened by uncontrolled urban development, pollution and unplanned tourism development;
iii) Both State Parties were urged to urgently follow-up on the recommendations of the 2002 bi-lateral workshop and in particular, the preparation and implementation of an effective joint management framework to address the on-going threats and to set a firm schedule for their follow-up;
iv) The committee also requested the State Parties to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN mission to assess the state of conservation and progress made on the recommendations of the 2002 bi-lateral workshop.
WAY FORWARD
The two institutions have been implementing the recommendations of the bi-lateral workshop, which relates to the daily management of the site. They have also been engaging Interested and Affected Parties with regard to implementing any development project in the site.
Other aspects of the bi-lateral recommendations that need to be ratified and implemented at higher Government organs have been referred accordingly.
Further, the two institutions have requested UNESCO for technical assistance to produce a Management Plan, specifically for the World Heritage Site as recommended by the bi-lateral workshop. The Plan will be produced jointly with the counterpart institutions in Zimbabwe.
In conclusion, the National Heritage Conservation Commission would like to assure the general public that any proposed development in the World Heritage Site are done within the context of overall Management Plan as agreed by ZAWA and the National Heritage Conservation Commission. Further still, any such developments are within the National and International Environmental Guidelines for such an ecological/cultural sensitive site.
It is in this context that the proposed development by Legacy Holdings Zambia Limited should be understood that all is within the spirit of Environmental Requirements
Mr Donald Chikumbi
Executive Director
National Heritage Conservation Commission
Legacy Holdings Zambia Limited is part of the Legacy International Consortium of Hotels, Bush Lodges and Resorts. Legacy Holdings Zambia Limited holds a Tourism Concession Agreement (TCA) with the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) to develop the Mosi-oa-Tunya Hotel and Country Club Estate. The project is on lot 14734/M along the Zambezi River in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park/World Heritage Site upstream of the Victoria Falls.
JUSTIFICATION
The Zambian Government has made tourism development and diversification as its second priority on the list of resuscitating Zambia's economy. To this end, Government has embarked on a public facility but private driven initiative as way of accelerating and enhancing tourism development. Cardinal to this initiative is the Public Private Partnership initiative (PPPI) policy. This is the Government's policy of realizing its objective of facilitating development of the industry while the private sector takes a leading role.
MOSI-OA-TUNYA NATIONAL PARK/WORLD HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT
It is in this context that a portion of the Mosi-oa- Tunya National Park, which is also a northerm part of the World Heritage site, was tendered for development. The area in question has been earmarked for tourism development as reflected in the Mosi-oa- Tunya Management Plan. This portion among others such as African Queen, Waterfront, Bwaato, Taonga, Batoka Sky and Gwembe Safaris Jetty were presented at the Bi-National Workshop held between the two state parties namely Zambia and Zimbabwe to the World Heritage Protocol.
MOSI-OA-TUNYA/VICTORIA FALLS WORLD HERITAGE MANAGEMENT
The Zambian side of World Heritage Site is co-managed by the Zambia Wildlife Authority and National Heritage Conservation Commission. The two institutions are statutory bodies under the parent Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources.
The World Heritage Site is the Southern part of the Mosi-oa- Tunya National Park and is also a Natural Monument under UNESCO classification, thus the co-management by the two institutions along their respective pieces of legislation as provided for accordingly. The two institutions have further signed a Memorandum of Understanding on how the World Heritage site is to be managed and benefits arising there from co-shared.
Of late, an impression has been created that ZAWA and the National Heritage Conservation Commission are not working together with regard to the management of this national asset. We would like to inform the public that the two institutions are in common agreement with each other for any development that would affect this ecological sensitive area positively or negatively.
As custodians of this Asset on behalf of the State and International Community, Zambia Wildlife Authority and National Heritage Conservation Commission have always ensured and will always endeavour that any proposed development does not impact negatively on this precarious resource. To this end, every effort is made that both the National Laws and International statutes, which are in place to protect this site are enforced and respected
UNESCO'S LATEST STAND ON THE MOSI-OA-TUNYA WORLD HERITAGE SITE
At the recent meeting of the World Heritage Committee held from 7th to 10th July 2006 in Vilnius, Lithuania, the following issues were raised/addressed:
i) The committee noted with great concern the failure to implement the recommendations of the 2002 bilateral workshop recommendations;
ii) The committee felt that the integrity of the property remained threatened by uncontrolled urban development, pollution and unplanned tourism development;
iii) Both State Parties were urged to urgently follow-up on the recommendations of the 2002 bi-lateral workshop and in particular, the preparation and implementation of an effective joint management framework to address the on-going threats and to set a firm schedule for their follow-up;
iv) The committee also requested the State Parties to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN mission to assess the state of conservation and progress made on the recommendations of the 2002 bi-lateral workshop.
WAY FORWARD
The two institutions have been implementing the recommendations of the bi-lateral workshop, which relates to the daily management of the site. They have also been engaging Interested and Affected Parties with regard to implementing any development project in the site.
Other aspects of the bi-lateral recommendations that need to be ratified and implemented at higher Government organs have been referred accordingly.
Further, the two institutions have requested UNESCO for technical assistance to produce a Management Plan, specifically for the World Heritage Site as recommended by the bi-lateral workshop. The Plan will be produced jointly with the counterpart institutions in Zimbabwe.
In conclusion, the National Heritage Conservation Commission would like to assure the general public that any proposed development in the World Heritage Site are done within the context of overall Management Plan as agreed by ZAWA and the National Heritage Conservation Commission. Further still, any such developments are within the National and International Environmental Guidelines for such an ecological/cultural sensitive site.
It is in this context that the proposed development by Legacy Holdings Zambia Limited should be understood that all is within the spirit of Environmental Requirements
Mr Donald Chikumbi
Executive Director
National Heritage Conservation Commission
AWF, MOSI-OA-TUNYA AND THE MUKUNI TRUST
At the recent Legacy scoping meeting in Livingstone, Chief Mukuni made an impassioned plea in support of Legacy and its proposed development in the Park. Such flag waving for the entry of the invading development forces bearing large bags of cash is understandable, but, hang on, is the Chief not a partner of the African Wildlife Foundation's Kazungula Heartlands project - in fact the patron of the AWF created Mukuni Trust which has been tasked with its delivery in the Mosi-oa-Tunya area? Of course, such chiefly cerebral felicity, whereby two contradictory views can be held simultaneously, is not unusual among chiefs - as I and the community continue to discover in our troublesome relations with Senior Chief Luembe, my co-director of the Luembe Conservancy Trust; but where is the AWF in all of this? Even though Mosi-oa-Tunya is very much at the core of their programme, they - like the World Bank SEED programme, appear to have gone underground. Someone has gone to sleep on the AWF watch, a fine organization, but one now in danger of losing credibility. When my friend, John Heminway, was the chairman, they called themselves the African Wildlife Leadership Foundation. Perhaps it is time to bring back the leadership part.
Ian Manning
Ian Manning
Mosi-oa-Tunya/Chief Mukuni/African Wildlife Foundation
AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION’S KAZUNGULA HEARTLANDS PROGRAMME
Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Area: 9,090,507 hectares (35,099 square miles)
Key features: Zambezi River; Victoria Falls; Chobe National Park; Hwange National Park; Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park; Zambezi National Park; Chobe/Linyanti/Kwando Wetland System
Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe are represented in the Kazungula Heartland. The mighty Zambezi River is a water artery through the center of this rich African landscape, providing essential water to the spectacular ecosystems contained in this region. World-renowned Victoria Falls is found in this Heartland.
Heartland Conservation Process
AWF's Heartland Conservation Process (HCP) is the framework used to plan, implement, and measure the conservation impact of AWF's programs in Africa. As part of the HCP, AWF uses a landscape-level planning process which was developed with help from The Nature Conservancy to establish conservation goals for each Heartland, identify threats to conservation targets, and to design threat reduction activities, while taking full advantage of opportunities available. AWF then takes the findings from this planning process to develop strategies for each Heartland which leads to the implementation of priority interventions. The impacts of these interventions on the status of conservation targets and human livelihoods are then monitored and measured which feeds back into further planning and refinements of Heartland strategies.
Partners
USAID Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA)
Japan Fund for Global Environment (JFGE)
KAZUNGULA CUSTOMARY AREA TRUSTS
Chief Mukuni of Zambia - one
of AWF's close partner in the
Kazungula Heartland
AWF is currently working with the trusts to bring close to 1 million Hectares of land under conservation; to conserve crucial migratory corridors and dispersal areas that were used in the past by elephants moving between southern Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Kafue National Park; and to conserve important areas of the Zambezi River frontage. When protected, these area should be able to provide for wildlife dispersal and movement from the overpopulated protected areas in Botswana and Zimbabwe and improve overall landscape conservation. AWF is also supporting the trusts to forge partnerships with the private sector for tourism development that should benefit the communities. Various meetings have already been held with interested private sector partners. AWF has also helped one of the trusts to repossess and designate for conservation prime wetlands that had been fraudulently allocated to the private sector for development of a fishing camp. The community land trust model has not only addressed legal constraints in land administration and safeguarded communal
land rights and related livelihoods. It has also democratized land management in the chiefdoms of southern Zambia. The work with trusts has also contributed to the ongoing discourse on land reform in Zambia and further provides opportunity for wide replication of this program in Zambia where it is officially stated that 94% of the land is held under customary or traditional tenure.
African Wildlife Foundation
HQ africanwildlife@awf.org
Zambia Africanwildlife@iwayafrica.org
Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Area: 9,090,507 hectares (35,099 square miles)
Key features: Zambezi River; Victoria Falls; Chobe National Park; Hwange National Park; Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park; Zambezi National Park; Chobe/Linyanti/Kwando Wetland System
Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe are represented in the Kazungula Heartland. The mighty Zambezi River is a water artery through the center of this rich African landscape, providing essential water to the spectacular ecosystems contained in this region. World-renowned Victoria Falls is found in this Heartland.
Heartland Conservation Process
AWF's Heartland Conservation Process (HCP) is the framework used to plan, implement, and measure the conservation impact of AWF's programs in Africa. As part of the HCP, AWF uses a landscape-level planning process which was developed with help from The Nature Conservancy to establish conservation goals for each Heartland, identify threats to conservation targets, and to design threat reduction activities, while taking full advantage of opportunities available. AWF then takes the findings from this planning process to develop strategies for each Heartland which leads to the implementation of priority interventions. The impacts of these interventions on the status of conservation targets and human livelihoods are then monitored and measured which feeds back into further planning and refinements of Heartland strategies.
Partners
USAID Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA)
Japan Fund for Global Environment (JFGE)
KAZUNGULA CUSTOMARY AREA TRUSTS
Chief Mukuni of Zambia - one
of AWF's close partner in the
Kazungula Heartland
AWF is currently working with the trusts to bring close to 1 million Hectares of land under conservation; to conserve crucial migratory corridors and dispersal areas that were used in the past by elephants moving between southern Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Kafue National Park; and to conserve important areas of the Zambezi River frontage. When protected, these area should be able to provide for wildlife dispersal and movement from the overpopulated protected areas in Botswana and Zimbabwe and improve overall landscape conservation. AWF is also supporting the trusts to forge partnerships with the private sector for tourism development that should benefit the communities. Various meetings have already been held with interested private sector partners. AWF has also helped one of the trusts to repossess and designate for conservation prime wetlands that had been fraudulently allocated to the private sector for development of a fishing camp. The community land trust model has not only addressed legal constraints in land administration and safeguarded communal
land rights and related livelihoods. It has also democratized land management in the chiefdoms of southern Zambia. The work with trusts has also contributed to the ongoing discourse on land reform in Zambia and further provides opportunity for wide replication of this program in Zambia where it is officially stated that 94% of the land is held under customary or traditional tenure.
African Wildlife Foundation
HQ africanwildlife@awf.org
Zambia Africanwildlife@iwayafrica.org
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Gone to SEED??
The World Bank SEED programme (SUPPORT TO ECONOMIC EXPANSION AND DIVERSIFICATION) in 2001, reported:
"The Government is committed to the growth of tourism and is now ready to make the resources necessary for that to happen - funding to underpin a strong approach to tourism would confirm the Government's credibility and the private sector appears ready to do its part. The Government has identified Livingstone and the Victoria Falls
(the Mosi-O-Tunya or "the Smoke that Thunders") as a priority for economic expansion and diversification, based on tourism. The Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site. It is a strong magnet that has long attracted tourists to the falls themselves as well as to its surrounding wildlife and extraordinary cultural heritage..."
In November 2005, with SEED about to collapse and no visible sign of anything having been accomplished, the steering committee of the Natural Resources Consultative Forum of Zambia (NRCF), anxious to see that this did not happen, approached the World Bank official responsible for SEED, Marie Sheppard, of the Africa Private Sector Group, suggesting that the NRCF was the forum through which the rescue plan could be brokered. Marie replied,
" I agree that the only way to make SEED work is to have the stakeholders actively involved in the design, and I'd like to explore some ideas with you and your colleagues on how that might work. We're at the preliminary and what I consider the most important stage of restructuring: deciding on the process. How will we move forward, who will be involved and what do we do? This is a decision that we reach with Government, and we will discuss this with them towards the end of the SEED mission (early Dec). My preference would be to have a small team, comprised of a few representatives from the private and public sector, who does the work in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders. The Bank's role, as I see it, is to facilitate the process and, as needed, bring in experiences from other countries that might be helpful (ideally by parachuting in those who have actually done the work).
In terms of next steps, I would like to gather input from yourselves and other stakeholders on the process so that it is one that we all can commit to. I am new to Zambia and not yet familiar with all the players. What is a bit puzzling is the number of players and different associations - it's not clear to me how they differ (e.g. ZNTB, TCZ, NRCF - in terms of goals, strategy and impact) and who to work with. My preference would be to have a discussion on the process and how to organize the team and consultation process. It might be that this
work could fit in with the assessment of the NDP chapter on tourism, so as to build from the ground up. If the latter would be helpful, there could be a (dare I say it?) workshop where we bring together the public and private sectors here as well as a few representatives from countries that have managed this successfully (Botswana perhaps? Kenya? You would know better than I). Such a workshop might help you to refine the goals and strategy (as inputs for revising the NDP), the needs going forward (as inputs for SEED and possibly other donor's
work), and define how to move these forward. This might be a way to short cut more studies (which would seem a waste of time, given that all the key players know the situation) and inject some "just in time" focus to the tourism chapter. Based on what I've seen, it seems that what is needed it to distill the existing knowledge, clarify the goals and make decisions on a strategy). I don't know if this is right, but there seems to be a need to bring focus and cohesion. If we can help with this, I'm eager to do so".
And that is the last that anyone from NRCF has heard from the World Bank, until last week that is, when a rather jazzy report on tourism in Livingstone pitched up on e-mail: no consultations, no stakeholder meetings, no NRCF hosted cross-sectoral workshops, no strategic environmental assessments or project documents giving some idea of what the Bank envisaged doing in Mosi-oa-Tunya, no "...the key players know the situation". But something had kick-started ZAWA in 2006, the agency responsible for carrying out the SEED work in Livingstone and Kafue National Park, for suddenly the newspapers carried adverts calling for consultants to train ZAWA teams to look after the Mosi-oa-Tunya white rhino (2), to sort out the mangled, in-bred wildlife aberration within the Park, the communities outside... although all three expatriate wardens employed on the SEED programe in Mosi and Kafue had packed their katundu after being without transport for a year - though rumour has it that one still survives, cycling earnestly around on his njinga.
So, how much responsibility must the World Bank bear for the SEED mess, for allowing a tourism lease for such a proposed massive perturbation of part of the Victoria Falls Transboundary World Heritage Site to be issued, for funding consultancies that do not involve civil society, the National Heritage Commission, the Livingstone Town Council, the NRCF, the indigenous and indigent communities, that all of this endeavour is supposed to benefit. And what of the strategic review of ZAWA which they and NORAD are funding, a four-month consultancy given to a local company, supposed to be in touch with the NRCF and other stakeholders. Not a word from them either. And does Chief Mikuni of Livingstone know - he so very keen to see Legacy install a bit of Florida on his chiefly midriff, that the World Bank funded consultancy for the Ministry of Lands has recommended that all customary land should in future fall under the said Ministry, with chiefs relegated to the role of land administrators?
And so, is it the intention of the World Bank to ensure that the people of Livingstone gather daily at the electrified curtain cutting off their town from the Zambezi to watch the Hawaian-shirted, cigar-chompin' denizens of Legacy swing at little white mabolo upon their now treeless, jumboless ancestral turf; the chiefly custodian of the smoke that pisses, resting nearby under his talkin' tree, sans kapaso, and with no land to administer?
Ian Manning
"The Government is committed to the growth of tourism and is now ready to make the resources necessary for that to happen - funding to underpin a strong approach to tourism would confirm the Government's credibility and the private sector appears ready to do its part. The Government has identified Livingstone and the Victoria Falls
(the Mosi-O-Tunya or "the Smoke that Thunders") as a priority for economic expansion and diversification, based on tourism. The Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site. It is a strong magnet that has long attracted tourists to the falls themselves as well as to its surrounding wildlife and extraordinary cultural heritage..."
In November 2005, with SEED about to collapse and no visible sign of anything having been accomplished, the steering committee of the Natural Resources Consultative Forum of Zambia (NRCF), anxious to see that this did not happen, approached the World Bank official responsible for SEED, Marie Sheppard, of the Africa Private Sector Group, suggesting that the NRCF was the forum through which the rescue plan could be brokered. Marie replied,
" I agree that the only way to make SEED work is to have the stakeholders actively involved in the design, and I'd like to explore some ideas with you and your colleagues on how that might work. We're at the preliminary and what I consider the most important stage of restructuring: deciding on the process. How will we move forward, who will be involved and what do we do? This is a decision that we reach with Government, and we will discuss this with them towards the end of the SEED mission (early Dec). My preference would be to have a small team, comprised of a few representatives from the private and public sector, who does the work in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders. The Bank's role, as I see it, is to facilitate the process and, as needed, bring in experiences from other countries that might be helpful (ideally by parachuting in those who have actually done the work).
In terms of next steps, I would like to gather input from yourselves and other stakeholders on the process so that it is one that we all can commit to. I am new to Zambia and not yet familiar with all the players. What is a bit puzzling is the number of players and different associations - it's not clear to me how they differ (e.g. ZNTB, TCZ, NRCF - in terms of goals, strategy and impact) and who to work with. My preference would be to have a discussion on the process and how to organize the team and consultation process. It might be that this
work could fit in with the assessment of the NDP chapter on tourism, so as to build from the ground up. If the latter would be helpful, there could be a (dare I say it?) workshop where we bring together the public and private sectors here as well as a few representatives from countries that have managed this successfully (Botswana perhaps? Kenya? You would know better than I). Such a workshop might help you to refine the goals and strategy (as inputs for revising the NDP), the needs going forward (as inputs for SEED and possibly other donor's
work), and define how to move these forward. This might be a way to short cut more studies (which would seem a waste of time, given that all the key players know the situation) and inject some "just in time" focus to the tourism chapter. Based on what I've seen, it seems that what is needed it to distill the existing knowledge, clarify the goals and make decisions on a strategy). I don't know if this is right, but there seems to be a need to bring focus and cohesion. If we can help with this, I'm eager to do so".
And that is the last that anyone from NRCF has heard from the World Bank, until last week that is, when a rather jazzy report on tourism in Livingstone pitched up on e-mail: no consultations, no stakeholder meetings, no NRCF hosted cross-sectoral workshops, no strategic environmental assessments or project documents giving some idea of what the Bank envisaged doing in Mosi-oa-Tunya, no "...the key players know the situation". But something had kick-started ZAWA in 2006, the agency responsible for carrying out the SEED work in Livingstone and Kafue National Park, for suddenly the newspapers carried adverts calling for consultants to train ZAWA teams to look after the Mosi-oa-Tunya white rhino (2), to sort out the mangled, in-bred wildlife aberration within the Park, the communities outside... although all three expatriate wardens employed on the SEED programe in Mosi and Kafue had packed their katundu after being without transport for a year - though rumour has it that one still survives, cycling earnestly around on his njinga.
So, how much responsibility must the World Bank bear for the SEED mess, for allowing a tourism lease for such a proposed massive perturbation of part of the Victoria Falls Transboundary World Heritage Site to be issued, for funding consultancies that do not involve civil society, the National Heritage Commission, the Livingstone Town Council, the NRCF, the indigenous and indigent communities, that all of this endeavour is supposed to benefit. And what of the strategic review of ZAWA which they and NORAD are funding, a four-month consultancy given to a local company, supposed to be in touch with the NRCF and other stakeholders. Not a word from them either. And does Chief Mikuni of Livingstone know - he so very keen to see Legacy install a bit of Florida on his chiefly midriff, that the World Bank funded consultancy for the Ministry of Lands has recommended that all customary land should in future fall under the said Ministry, with chiefs relegated to the role of land administrators?
And so, is it the intention of the World Bank to ensure that the people of Livingstone gather daily at the electrified curtain cutting off their town from the Zambezi to watch the Hawaian-shirted, cigar-chompin' denizens of Legacy swing at little white mabolo upon their now treeless, jumboless ancestral turf; the chiefly custodian of the smoke that pisses, resting nearby under his talkin' tree, sans kapaso, and with no land to administer?
Ian Manning
ZNBC says..SEED project to be revised
The World Bank is expected to revise the $6.5 million loan towards the SEED project in Livingstone.
Livingstone Town Clerk, George Kalenga said SEED is being reviewed in order to increase funding to some of the components of the project.
These include road rehabilitation and the construction of Mukuni Park.
Mr. Kalenga however told ZNBC news in Livingstone that some of the components of the project, such as capacity building in the city council could be dropped.
The SEED project is a loan that the World Bank gave the Zambian government for improving tourism infrastructure in the country.
The implementation of the project started in Livingstone because the city is Zambia's tourist capital.
Currently stakeholders are meeting in Lusaka over the restructuring of the SEED project.
Livingstone Town Clerk, George Kalenga said SEED is being reviewed in order to increase funding to some of the components of the project.
These include road rehabilitation and the construction of Mukuni Park.
Mr. Kalenga however told ZNBC news in Livingstone that some of the components of the project, such as capacity building in the city council could be dropped.
The SEED project is a loan that the World Bank gave the Zambian government for improving tourism infrastructure in the country.
The implementation of the project started in Livingstone because the city is Zambia's tourist capital.
Currently stakeholders are meeting in Lusaka over the restructuring of the SEED project.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Zambian farmers oppose building hotels, golf course near Victoria Falls
Zambia's small scale farmers around the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park part of which are Victoria Falls, have joined the crusade to oppose the construction of two hotels and an 18-hole golf course within the world heritage site.
Zambian National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) quoted Monday spokesperson of the farmers Idson Lweendo as saying the proposed project is too big to be located in the smallest national park that Zambia has.
Lweendo said previously the Zambia Wildlife Authority Zambia ( ZAWA) even persuaded indigenous people to move out of the Mosi-oa- Tunya National Park in an effort to keep it as natural as possible.
He wondered why ZAWA now has suddenly decided to allow big investors to displace animals and alter the protected habitat which is part of the major tourist attraction.
Recently ZAWA Director General, Leweis Saiwana said trees will not be cut and that the elephant corridors within the proposed project site will remain undisturbed.
ZAWA failed to send a representative to a live program on a local community radio station where the majority of listeners voiced their opposition to the planned project.
The UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) , may withdraw the world heritage status on the Victoria Falls and the surrounding area if the project goes ahead.
Last week the residents in the area rejected the project at a Scoping Meeting of the Environmental Impact Assessment held in the area, south Zambia, saying the company should find other site for the project to protect nature and heritage sites.
Director for Conservation Services at the National Heritage
Conservation Commission (NHCC), Francis Shalwiindi, said the UNESCO has already written to the NHCC, expressing its concerns over the proposed project and asked why Zambia is abrogating international and regional conventions.
The Director General of the Zambia Wildlife Authority Lewis
Saiwana, and Legacy Holding Zambia Limited Chairman Jacob Sikazwe failed to provide satisfactory answers to many questions raised in the meeting.
Victoria Falls is acknowledged as a world heritage site in 1989 because of its scientific and tourism value. Zambian side of Victoria Falls and the adjacent bank of Zambezi is called the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park.
Source: Xinhua
Zambian National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) quoted Monday spokesperson of the farmers Idson Lweendo as saying the proposed project is too big to be located in the smallest national park that Zambia has.
Lweendo said previously the Zambia Wildlife Authority Zambia ( ZAWA) even persuaded indigenous people to move out of the Mosi-oa- Tunya National Park in an effort to keep it as natural as possible.
He wondered why ZAWA now has suddenly decided to allow big investors to displace animals and alter the protected habitat which is part of the major tourist attraction.
Recently ZAWA Director General, Leweis Saiwana said trees will not be cut and that the elephant corridors within the proposed project site will remain undisturbed.
ZAWA failed to send a representative to a live program on a local community radio station where the majority of listeners voiced their opposition to the planned project.
The UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) , may withdraw the world heritage status on the Victoria Falls and the surrounding area if the project goes ahead.
Last week the residents in the area rejected the project at a Scoping Meeting of the Environmental Impact Assessment held in the area, south Zambia, saying the company should find other site for the project to protect nature and heritage sites.
Director for Conservation Services at the National Heritage
Conservation Commission (NHCC), Francis Shalwiindi, said the UNESCO has already written to the NHCC, expressing its concerns over the proposed project and asked why Zambia is abrogating international and regional conventions.
The Director General of the Zambia Wildlife Authority Lewis
Saiwana, and Legacy Holding Zambia Limited Chairman Jacob Sikazwe failed to provide satisfactory answers to many questions raised in the meeting.
Victoria Falls is acknowledged as a world heritage site in 1989 because of its scientific and tourism value. Zambian side of Victoria Falls and the adjacent bank of Zambezi is called the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park.
Source: Xinhua
More oppose Livingstone plan
ZNBC - Zambia
Spokesperson of the farmers Idson Lweendo said the proposed project is too big to be located in the smallest national park that Zambia has. ...
Spokesperson of the farmers Idson Lweendo said the proposed project is too big to be located in the smallest national park that Zambia has. ...
Friday, August 18, 2006
This is the original statement made by WECSZ - not by any individual, reprinted here as a reminder
LEGACY DESECRATION
VICTORIA FALLS PLANNED AND SANCTIONED DESECRATION
The Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia (WECSZ)
21st July 2006
1 INTRODUCTION
The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and its parent Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (MTENR) have sanctioned the building of an eighteen-hole golf course, two hotel resorts, a club house and chalets in the Mosi oa Tunya National Park lying on the edge of Livingstone. On Thursday 27 July, Legacy Hotels and Resorts International are due to sign a Tourism Concession Agreement with ZAWA, and on Friday 28 July, the President of Zambia will lay the foundation stone.
This outrageous planned desecration of what is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), World Heritage Site has begun despite the rejection of the project’s environmental impact assessment by the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) - and a call by it for greater consultations, and the objections of the local ZAWA office and of the Natural Heritage Conservation Commission. No application has been made to the Livingstone City Council, and no consultations of any kind carried out with the Natural Resources Consultative Forum of Zambia (NRCF) - established by the MTENR to oversee natural resource and conservation concerns, or with civil society in general. And, in flagrant disregard for international conventions, approval has not been given by UNESCO for the scheme, threatening its World Heritage status and prospects for the area’s conservation and economic development as a major world tourism destination. As the Park is currently receiving the investment attention of the World Bank under the SEED programme, it seems likely that they are not aware of the development.
2 THE AREA
The Victoria Falls and its surrounds - both in Zimbabwe and Zambia, is a World Heritage Site and is therefore protected by international convention. It is also a designated Important Bird Area (IBA) as declared by Birdlife International.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) management plan (The Strategic Environmental Assessment of Developments around Victoria Falls, June 1996) for the area states categorically that no developments should be allowed within the boundaries of the site, and that the wilderness value and the biodiversity of the area are prime resources which have to be maintained. This is further endorsed by ZAWA’s Mosi oa Tunya General Management Plan (GMP) of May 1999 which inter alia states:
A national park, by definition must possess nationally significant natural or cultural resources and retain a high degree of integrity as a true, accurate, and relatively unspoiled example of a resource;
Section 3 (Planning Guidelines) states clearly:
“Management emphasis in national parks will be to minimize all undesirable human impacts on wildlife populations”;
Section 3..5.1 (Natural Resources) states the priorities for the management of the national park will include:
Protecting and conserving the Zambezi River and its riverine vegetation. Any development – local, national, international – which threatens the integrity of the riverine ecosystem should be opposed in the strongest terms.
Figure 7 in the GMP illustrates the distribution of management zones within the national park.
A narrow river-side path route is provided between the Maramba River and the present Sun Hotel site for pedestrian access. The rest of that sector is designated for general tourism activity where permanent structures cannot be erected without full justification. Permitted activities in the Tourism Zone include only: game drives; escorted walks and picnics.
The narrow, river-side development zone north of the Maramba River will be restricted to existing developments and to jetties, information centres, car parks, toilets and picnic sites. In this area “…no new leases will be considered…These limitations are imposed to keep development to a minimum and safeguard the corridor used by wildlife in this narrow and restricted part of the park.”
The resorts are being built on that specifically identified narrow part of the national park where elephant cross the river and move through to the gorges - an area of major conservation importance for water birds and other wildlife, and also the only part of the river near the Victoria Falls accessible to the people of Livingstone. The road that runs from the cultural center along the Maramba River to the confluence is a public road and any change in its status requires that it be de-gazetted
3 THE DEVELOPMENT
The two hotels are to be built on either side of the Maramba River near its confluence with the Zambezi. The golf course will span either side of the Maramba River, surrounding Maramba River Lodge and extend up to the bridge that crosses the Maramba River on the Mosi o Tunya Road. Two bridges are to be built across the Maramba River, one near the confluence and one further along to allow golfers to cross. These developments are all in complete contradiction to the General Management Plan.
On the 20th July 2006 at least three beacons marking, apparently, some of the corners of the Legacy site, were erected. A vehicle belonging to Turner Construction, and some workers constructing the foundation stone near Maramba Cultural Village were also seen.
4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
4.1 Wildlife
Elephant frequent the area between Sun Hotels and the Maramba River, their passage hindered by increasing tourist activity and the developments built to support them. The area in question is the last remaining intact area of good vegetation where elephant are free from human pressure. It is crucial that this area remains undeveloped and conserved as a route for animals within the Park and those crossing the river to travel to the gorge and the Mukuni area.
The IUCN management plan states “there should be access to the riverbank and animal crossing points”. The Legacy development ignores this stricture. In the case of Sun Hotels, they failed to solve the baboon and elephant problem and have fenced in order to keep the elephant out. How will Legacy cope with elephant, baboon, hippo if Sun Hotels have failed? ZAWA’s recent directive that all fences in the Park be taken down - including Maramba River Lodge and Sun International, will increase the number of people killed, and that of elephant in retaliation. And an unfenced golf course will place golfers at risk. Should ZAWA relent and allow Legacy to fence the area, it would cut off elephant and other wildlife from the other sections of the Park and the gorges below the Falls. There are already problems of elephant raiding villagers’ crops and destroying life and property due to their normal routes being disturbed.
Tourism is beginning to expand in Livingstone, and apart from the Victoria Falls, one of the main attractions is the wildlife to be found in the Mosi oa Tunya National Park. The present fenced area of the Park is being seriously degraded by elephant which have stripped and ring-barked trees. The area allocated as a golf course is prime elephant feeding and resting ground with thick forest and undergrowth, giving them some respite from the pressure of helicopters and microlights, tourist activities and lodges, hotels, farms and villagers. The area is also a critically important hippo grazing area, and the Maramba River confluence is important for crocodile viewing and for water birds. As an undeveloped area with minimal road access, the area is crucial for breeding and feeding grounds for a number of species.
WECSZ and the Livingstone Museum has, twice a year for the past ten years, conducted a bi-annual water bird count in July and January along this stretch of the Zambezi and the Maramba. The new development will impact on this study as the count includes the area 10km up river of the Victoria Falls. Already river access for this type of study has been cut off by the Sun Hotels, Waterfront, Boat Club and other developments, so that the Legacy development will leave only the fenced area of the Park, a comparatively small part of the river to conduct a census of water birds (49 species of birds were identified on the north bank on a recent survey by WECSZ).
4.2 Vegetation
The IUCN report states that no mature trees or riparian vegetation should be cut down. In a study by the WECSZ, a total of 54 species of woody plants were recorded on the right bank of the river. It was found to be heavily infested in places with exotic Lantana, melia and gums (Eucalyptus); apart from these the indigenous vegetation appears intact, Kigelia Africana, Combretum, Acacia, Diospyrus, Terminalia, Bauhina are just some of the 54 species of trees recorded and are of good size, being undisturbed by human encroachment. Of special interest is tree wistaria, Bolusanthus speciosus, a marginal species for Zambia but an endemic monobasic genus of the Zambezian phytochorological region. This species by itself is enough to recommend the site for preservation, as it is of frequent occurrence here and the trees are of good form and height, thus offering Zambians a unique opportunity to see this beautiful tree within their own country.
4.3 People’s access to the Zambezi and Maramba Rivers
This stretch of river - particularly between the Maramba River and the Falls, has always been a favourite spot for picnics and social outings – though it has reduced recently because of the thugs and bad roads. It is crucial that this area is kept open for Zambians. The Legacy Holdings Development will permanently remove all the river frontage from the general public.
4.4 Golf courses
The Livingstone Golf Course has just opened in town after a 2 million US$ renovation. This is the second oldest golf course in Zambia, and is a historic site. The Elephant Hills golf course is opposite the proposed Legacy site across the river. There is no need for another golf course.
5 CONCLUSION
Livingstone residents are not against development. They need and want development. But one of the main attractions for visitors (and hence the thousands of visitors every year) is the Victoria Falls, the Mosi-O-Tunya National Park and the wildlife in the area. IUCN stresses that one of the principle attractions of the area to visitors is its perceived “wilderness” value and “the juxtaposition of natural wild area with modern visitor amenities. If this wilderness is lost due to over-development, then the visitors will not come and the economy and social structures will suffer.” IUCN Victoria falls – Skeleton Management Plan Part 1. Quite simply, if the Park is destroyed through over-development many of the visitors will stay away.
However, as a World Heritage Site it is incumbent on us to protect it for all mankind by respecting and using the planning and conservation frameworks already available in a long-sighted and conscientious manner that are not driven by short-term commercial motives.
VICTORIA FALLS PLANNED AND SANCTIONED DESECRATION
The Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia (WECSZ)
21st July 2006
1 INTRODUCTION
The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and its parent Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (MTENR) have sanctioned the building of an eighteen-hole golf course, two hotel resorts, a club house and chalets in the Mosi oa Tunya National Park lying on the edge of Livingstone. On Thursday 27 July, Legacy Hotels and Resorts International are due to sign a Tourism Concession Agreement with ZAWA, and on Friday 28 July, the President of Zambia will lay the foundation stone.
This outrageous planned desecration of what is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), World Heritage Site has begun despite the rejection of the project’s environmental impact assessment by the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) - and a call by it for greater consultations, and the objections of the local ZAWA office and of the Natural Heritage Conservation Commission. No application has been made to the Livingstone City Council, and no consultations of any kind carried out with the Natural Resources Consultative Forum of Zambia (NRCF) - established by the MTENR to oversee natural resource and conservation concerns, or with civil society in general. And, in flagrant disregard for international conventions, approval has not been given by UNESCO for the scheme, threatening its World Heritage status and prospects for the area’s conservation and economic development as a major world tourism destination. As the Park is currently receiving the investment attention of the World Bank under the SEED programme, it seems likely that they are not aware of the development.
2 THE AREA
The Victoria Falls and its surrounds - both in Zimbabwe and Zambia, is a World Heritage Site and is therefore protected by international convention. It is also a designated Important Bird Area (IBA) as declared by Birdlife International.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) management plan (The Strategic Environmental Assessment of Developments around Victoria Falls, June 1996) for the area states categorically that no developments should be allowed within the boundaries of the site, and that the wilderness value and the biodiversity of the area are prime resources which have to be maintained. This is further endorsed by ZAWA’s Mosi oa Tunya General Management Plan (GMP) of May 1999 which inter alia states:
A national park, by definition must possess nationally significant natural or cultural resources and retain a high degree of integrity as a true, accurate, and relatively unspoiled example of a resource;
Section 3 (Planning Guidelines) states clearly:
“Management emphasis in national parks will be to minimize all undesirable human impacts on wildlife populations”;
Section 3..5.1 (Natural Resources) states the priorities for the management of the national park will include:
Protecting and conserving the Zambezi River and its riverine vegetation. Any development – local, national, international – which threatens the integrity of the riverine ecosystem should be opposed in the strongest terms.
Figure 7 in the GMP illustrates the distribution of management zones within the national park.
A narrow river-side path route is provided between the Maramba River and the present Sun Hotel site for pedestrian access. The rest of that sector is designated for general tourism activity where permanent structures cannot be erected without full justification. Permitted activities in the Tourism Zone include only: game drives; escorted walks and picnics.
The narrow, river-side development zone north of the Maramba River will be restricted to existing developments and to jetties, information centres, car parks, toilets and picnic sites. In this area “…no new leases will be considered…These limitations are imposed to keep development to a minimum and safeguard the corridor used by wildlife in this narrow and restricted part of the park.”
The resorts are being built on that specifically identified narrow part of the national park where elephant cross the river and move through to the gorges - an area of major conservation importance for water birds and other wildlife, and also the only part of the river near the Victoria Falls accessible to the people of Livingstone. The road that runs from the cultural center along the Maramba River to the confluence is a public road and any change in its status requires that it be de-gazetted
3 THE DEVELOPMENT
The two hotels are to be built on either side of the Maramba River near its confluence with the Zambezi. The golf course will span either side of the Maramba River, surrounding Maramba River Lodge and extend up to the bridge that crosses the Maramba River on the Mosi o Tunya Road. Two bridges are to be built across the Maramba River, one near the confluence and one further along to allow golfers to cross. These developments are all in complete contradiction to the General Management Plan.
On the 20th July 2006 at least three beacons marking, apparently, some of the corners of the Legacy site, were erected. A vehicle belonging to Turner Construction, and some workers constructing the foundation stone near Maramba Cultural Village were also seen.
4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
4.1 Wildlife
Elephant frequent the area between Sun Hotels and the Maramba River, their passage hindered by increasing tourist activity and the developments built to support them. The area in question is the last remaining intact area of good vegetation where elephant are free from human pressure. It is crucial that this area remains undeveloped and conserved as a route for animals within the Park and those crossing the river to travel to the gorge and the Mukuni area.
The IUCN management plan states “there should be access to the riverbank and animal crossing points”. The Legacy development ignores this stricture. In the case of Sun Hotels, they failed to solve the baboon and elephant problem and have fenced in order to keep the elephant out. How will Legacy cope with elephant, baboon, hippo if Sun Hotels have failed? ZAWA’s recent directive that all fences in the Park be taken down - including Maramba River Lodge and Sun International, will increase the number of people killed, and that of elephant in retaliation. And an unfenced golf course will place golfers at risk. Should ZAWA relent and allow Legacy to fence the area, it would cut off elephant and other wildlife from the other sections of the Park and the gorges below the Falls. There are already problems of elephant raiding villagers’ crops and destroying life and property due to their normal routes being disturbed.
Tourism is beginning to expand in Livingstone, and apart from the Victoria Falls, one of the main attractions is the wildlife to be found in the Mosi oa Tunya National Park. The present fenced area of the Park is being seriously degraded by elephant which have stripped and ring-barked trees. The area allocated as a golf course is prime elephant feeding and resting ground with thick forest and undergrowth, giving them some respite from the pressure of helicopters and microlights, tourist activities and lodges, hotels, farms and villagers. The area is also a critically important hippo grazing area, and the Maramba River confluence is important for crocodile viewing and for water birds. As an undeveloped area with minimal road access, the area is crucial for breeding and feeding grounds for a number of species.
WECSZ and the Livingstone Museum has, twice a year for the past ten years, conducted a bi-annual water bird count in July and January along this stretch of the Zambezi and the Maramba. The new development will impact on this study as the count includes the area 10km up river of the Victoria Falls. Already river access for this type of study has been cut off by the Sun Hotels, Waterfront, Boat Club and other developments, so that the Legacy development will leave only the fenced area of the Park, a comparatively small part of the river to conduct a census of water birds (49 species of birds were identified on the north bank on a recent survey by WECSZ).
4.2 Vegetation
The IUCN report states that no mature trees or riparian vegetation should be cut down. In a study by the WECSZ, a total of 54 species of woody plants were recorded on the right bank of the river. It was found to be heavily infested in places with exotic Lantana, melia and gums (Eucalyptus); apart from these the indigenous vegetation appears intact, Kigelia Africana, Combretum, Acacia, Diospyrus, Terminalia, Bauhina are just some of the 54 species of trees recorded and are of good size, being undisturbed by human encroachment. Of special interest is tree wistaria, Bolusanthus speciosus, a marginal species for Zambia but an endemic monobasic genus of the Zambezian phytochorological region. This species by itself is enough to recommend the site for preservation, as it is of frequent occurrence here and the trees are of good form and height, thus offering Zambians a unique opportunity to see this beautiful tree within their own country.
4.3 People’s access to the Zambezi and Maramba Rivers
This stretch of river - particularly between the Maramba River and the Falls, has always been a favourite spot for picnics and social outings – though it has reduced recently because of the thugs and bad roads. It is crucial that this area is kept open for Zambians. The Legacy Holdings Development will permanently remove all the river frontage from the general public.
4.4 Golf courses
The Livingstone Golf Course has just opened in town after a 2 million US$ renovation. This is the second oldest golf course in Zambia, and is a historic site. The Elephant Hills golf course is opposite the proposed Legacy site across the river. There is no need for another golf course.
5 CONCLUSION
Livingstone residents are not against development. They need and want development. But one of the main attractions for visitors (and hence the thousands of visitors every year) is the Victoria Falls, the Mosi-O-Tunya National Park and the wildlife in the area. IUCN stresses that one of the principle attractions of the area to visitors is its perceived “wilderness” value and “the juxtaposition of natural wild area with modern visitor amenities. If this wilderness is lost due to over-development, then the visitors will not come and the economy and social structures will suffer.” IUCN Victoria falls – Skeleton Management Plan Part 1. Quite simply, if the Park is destroyed through over-development many of the visitors will stay away.
However, as a World Heritage Site it is incumbent on us to protect it for all mankind by respecting and using the planning and conservation frameworks already available in a long-sighted and conscientious manner that are not driven by short-term commercial motives.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Parliamentary submission..
Submission by the Hon Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources on Regulation 24
of Statutory Instrument Number 28, the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control
(Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, 1997
Background
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations were formulated as a tool for assessing
the impact of developmental projects on the environment, in conformity with international environmental
practices and standards. The EIA Regulations outline the complete procedure for developers or projects
proponents to undertake environmental impact assessments, and also identify whether or not an
Environmental Project Brief or an Environmental Impact Statement should be prepared for assessment of a
project.
When a developer has completed the EIA process, the project documents prepared must be
submitted to the Environmental Council of Zambia for review. The review takes into consideration any
negative impact the project may have on the environment and determines whether or not adequate
mitigating measures have been put in place by the developer to counter the same.
After reviewing the project documents, the Council renders a decision either authorizing the
project to proceed or rejecting the project, and in each case gives reasons for so deciding.
Regulation 24 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (S.I. No. 28 of 1997)
Regulation 24 prescribed the procedure to be undertaken when a developer or project proponent is
aggrieved by a decision of the Council made pursuant to the EIA Regulations and the procedure referred to
above. It provided as follows:
24 (1) “If any party is aggrieved by the decision of the Council, that party may, in writing appeal
to the Minister against the decision of the Council within a period of ten days after the receipt of the
decision letter from the Council.
24 (2) The Minister shall render his decision within fourteen (14) days of receiving the appeal.
24 (3) If the aggrieved party is not content with a decision of the Minster, he may appeal to the
High Court.”
Regulation 24 was, however, inconsistent with the provisions regarding appeals as outlined in the
principal Act, the EPPCA, which provided, under section 95 as follows:
“95 (1) A person aggrieved with any decision or ruling made by an Inspector under this Act may
appeal to the Council within forty-five days after the date of receipt of the ruling or decision.
(2) The Council, within thirty days after receiving an appeal, shall make and convey its decision
to the appellant.”
Section 2 or the EPPCA states that “Council” means the Environmental Council established under
section three.
To this end, Regulation 24 of S.I. No. 28 of 1997 shifted the appeal authority by conferring it on
the Minister and not the Council.
The Ministry’s view
While acknowledging that Regulation 24 was in conflict with section 95 of the EPPCA already
referred to, it was perhaps of importance to apprehend the spirit in which the EIA Regulations were
formulated. The EPPCA had intended for the ECZ Inspectorate to undertake any and every function of the
Council, as prescribed in section 6 of the Act, which revolved mainly around activities addressing pollution
control, such as the licensing of facilities and subsequent monitoring for compliance.
At the time of enacting the EPPCA, the environmental impact assessment process had not been
fully conceived under the Zambia Environmental Regulatory Framework. It should be noted, in this
regard, that the EPPCA was only enacted in 1990, while the ECZ as an environmental regulatory body
became operational in 1992. During the enforcement of the EPPCA, it became necessary to legislate for
the environmental impact assessment process, which was incorporated into the economic developmental
process worldwide.
The process of preparation of the EIA Regulations was generally devoid of consideration of
inconsistencies and/or conflict with certain provisions in the principal Act such as the appeal process
prescribed therein. The justification for inclusion of the Minister in the project approval process was
derived from section 6 (4) of the EPCA, which provides as follows:
“The Minister may give to the Council such general or specific directions with
respect to the discharge of its functions as he may consider necessary and the
Council shall give effect to those directions.”
The law provides that an aggrieved party has a right of appeal. In this case, it was appropriate that
the Ministry was given authority to re-visit the case and provide guidance to ECZ. Meanwhile, it was the
Ministry’s intention to address legislative inconsistencies under discussion herein. To this effect, the
Ministry has submitted to the Law Development Commission that it re-visits Regulation 24 of S.I. No. 28
of 1997 in order to facilitate harmonisation with the principal (EPPCA) and related Acts for a coherent
appeal process in the Zambian Environmental Regulatory Framework.
In addition, the Environmental Council of Zambia, under the Copperbelt Environmental Project,
was embarking on a review of the Environmental Legislation. The review would be comprehensive and
was intended to address gaps, conflicts and/or any inconsistencies currently obtaining in the (EPPCA) and
its regulations.
Your Committee informed the Hon Minister that his colleague, the Hon Minister of Justice and
Attorney-General, had submitted that Regulation 24 of Statutory Instrument No. 28 of 1997 was ultra vires
the principal Act and, therefore, was null and void. In view of this, they asked the Hon Minister to state
when Regulation 24 would be repealed in order to bring the Statutory Instrument into conformity with the
principal Act.
The Hon Minister submitted that he could not give a time frame as other pieces of legislation
being reviewed had taken long to be addressed by the Law Development Commission.
Your Committee, however, informed the Hon Minister that amending a Statutory Instrument need
not take long as the process did not require the participation of the Law Development Commission.
Committee’s Observations and Recommendations
Your Committee observe that Statutory Instrument No.28 of 1998, particularly Regulation 24, is
ultra vires the principal law, the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Act, No.12 of 1990.
Your Committee, therefore, recommend that this Statutory Instrument be amended to bring it into
conformity with the principal Act. This will ensure that the law, as enacted by Parliament, is respected.
Furthermore, vesting the power of deciding whether a project is environmentally sound in the
Environmental Council of Zambia will lessen disputes as has been evidenced in the past. A case in point is
the Zambezi Oil and Transport saga in Ndola and many other cases in Lusaka and Kafue over which the
Minister and the Environmental Council of Zambia have differed.
of Statutory Instrument Number 28, the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control
(Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, 1997
Background
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations were formulated as a tool for assessing
the impact of developmental projects on the environment, in conformity with international environmental
practices and standards. The EIA Regulations outline the complete procedure for developers or projects
proponents to undertake environmental impact assessments, and also identify whether or not an
Environmental Project Brief or an Environmental Impact Statement should be prepared for assessment of a
project.
When a developer has completed the EIA process, the project documents prepared must be
submitted to the Environmental Council of Zambia for review. The review takes into consideration any
negative impact the project may have on the environment and determines whether or not adequate
mitigating measures have been put in place by the developer to counter the same.
After reviewing the project documents, the Council renders a decision either authorizing the
project to proceed or rejecting the project, and in each case gives reasons for so deciding.
Regulation 24 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (S.I. No. 28 of 1997)
Regulation 24 prescribed the procedure to be undertaken when a developer or project proponent is
aggrieved by a decision of the Council made pursuant to the EIA Regulations and the procedure referred to
above. It provided as follows:
24 (1) “If any party is aggrieved by the decision of the Council, that party may, in writing appeal
to the Minister against the decision of the Council within a period of ten days after the receipt of the
decision letter from the Council.
24 (2) The Minister shall render his decision within fourteen (14) days of receiving the appeal.
24 (3) If the aggrieved party is not content with a decision of the Minster, he may appeal to the
High Court.”
Regulation 24 was, however, inconsistent with the provisions regarding appeals as outlined in the
principal Act, the EPPCA, which provided, under section 95 as follows:
“95 (1) A person aggrieved with any decision or ruling made by an Inspector under this Act may
appeal to the Council within forty-five days after the date of receipt of the ruling or decision.
(2) The Council, within thirty days after receiving an appeal, shall make and convey its decision
to the appellant.”
Section 2 or the EPPCA states that “Council” means the Environmental Council established under
section three.
To this end, Regulation 24 of S.I. No. 28 of 1997 shifted the appeal authority by conferring it on
the Minister and not the Council.
The Ministry’s view
While acknowledging that Regulation 24 was in conflict with section 95 of the EPPCA already
referred to, it was perhaps of importance to apprehend the spirit in which the EIA Regulations were
formulated. The EPPCA had intended for the ECZ Inspectorate to undertake any and every function of the
Council, as prescribed in section 6 of the Act, which revolved mainly around activities addressing pollution
control, such as the licensing of facilities and subsequent monitoring for compliance.
At the time of enacting the EPPCA, the environmental impact assessment process had not been
fully conceived under the Zambia Environmental Regulatory Framework. It should be noted, in this
regard, that the EPPCA was only enacted in 1990, while the ECZ as an environmental regulatory body
became operational in 1992. During the enforcement of the EPPCA, it became necessary to legislate for
the environmental impact assessment process, which was incorporated into the economic developmental
process worldwide.
The process of preparation of the EIA Regulations was generally devoid of consideration of
inconsistencies and/or conflict with certain provisions in the principal Act such as the appeal process
prescribed therein. The justification for inclusion of the Minister in the project approval process was
derived from section 6 (4) of the EPCA, which provides as follows:
“The Minister may give to the Council such general or specific directions with
respect to the discharge of its functions as he may consider necessary and the
Council shall give effect to those directions.”
The law provides that an aggrieved party has a right of appeal. In this case, it was appropriate that
the Ministry was given authority to re-visit the case and provide guidance to ECZ. Meanwhile, it was the
Ministry’s intention to address legislative inconsistencies under discussion herein. To this effect, the
Ministry has submitted to the Law Development Commission that it re-visits Regulation 24 of S.I. No. 28
of 1997 in order to facilitate harmonisation with the principal (EPPCA) and related Acts for a coherent
appeal process in the Zambian Environmental Regulatory Framework.
In addition, the Environmental Council of Zambia, under the Copperbelt Environmental Project,
was embarking on a review of the Environmental Legislation. The review would be comprehensive and
was intended to address gaps, conflicts and/or any inconsistencies currently obtaining in the (EPPCA) and
its regulations.
Your Committee informed the Hon Minister that his colleague, the Hon Minister of Justice and
Attorney-General, had submitted that Regulation 24 of Statutory Instrument No. 28 of 1997 was ultra vires
the principal Act and, therefore, was null and void. In view of this, they asked the Hon Minister to state
when Regulation 24 would be repealed in order to bring the Statutory Instrument into conformity with the
principal Act.
The Hon Minister submitted that he could not give a time frame as other pieces of legislation
being reviewed had taken long to be addressed by the Law Development Commission.
Your Committee, however, informed the Hon Minister that amending a Statutory Instrument need
not take long as the process did not require the participation of the Law Development Commission.
Committee’s Observations and Recommendations
Your Committee observe that Statutory Instrument No.28 of 1998, particularly Regulation 24, is
ultra vires the principal law, the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Act, No.12 of 1990.
Your Committee, therefore, recommend that this Statutory Instrument be amended to bring it into
conformity with the principal Act. This will ensure that the law, as enacted by Parliament, is respected.
Furthermore, vesting the power of deciding whether a project is environmentally sound in the
Environmental Council of Zambia will lessen disputes as has been evidenced in the past. A case in point is
the Zambezi Oil and Transport saga in Ndola and many other cases in Lusaka and Kafue over which the
Minister and the Environmental Council of Zambia have differed.
Officially...
Zambia: Livingstone Investments Bolster Economy
The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
August 16, 2006
Edward Mulenga
ONCE again, Livingstone has witnessed and celebrated the coming of another huge venture and continued investment inflow into the tourist capital by the Legacy Group, which will create more than 3,000 jobs.
This $200 million mammoth project has accentuated hopes of achieving a broader economic scope of the town and the nation.
Considering the prospects the project holds for Livingstone and the country, the enthusiasm exhibited by the witnesses to this occasion foretold the economic benefits and amount of redemption to be realised by the community from this venture.
July 28, 2006 was not an ordinary day for the Livingstone community as the unveiling of the foundation stone in the Mosi-Oa-tunya National Park by Vice-President Lupando Mwape proved symbolic.
Diplomats accredited to Zambia, chief executives of parastatal companies, investors and various people from all walks of life were there.
The project is being pioneered by a consortium of local businesses and Legacy Group of South Africa.
Legacy Holdings Zambia chairman Jacob Sikazwe said the investor would spend over $200 million to build two five-star hotels, 18-hole world class golf club, villas and a country club estate.
The two five-star Hotels, Mos-Oa-Tunya and the Queen Victoria with a world class 18-hole golf course, country club, arts and crafts centre and several villas, will ultimately contribute 1,790 rooms to the current bed capacity.
This development will definitely go beyond mere promotion of tourism in Livingstone.
Mr Sikazwe said at Zambezi Sun Hotel after the unveiling ceremony that the project would change the paradigm of the tourism industry which Government prioritised as second to agriculture.
And Legacy Group chairman Bart Dorrestein from South Africa hailed Zambians' passion for their country and was excited to be part of the project.
Legacy Group director of development Renatus Mushinge said construction of the first hotel would commence next year, but the entire project will be completed by 2010 in time for the World Cup in South Africa.
More than 3,000 permanent jobs will be created, 2,500 of them during construction and another 7,500 through various supplies and contracts.
Apart from these benefits to individuals, the project, through different statutory obligations and spill-over effects will create huge revenue for the Livingstone City Council, the National Airports Corporation (NACL), the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and others.
Revenue estimates of over K30 billion will be realised every year, which will be significant in reconstructing Livingstone and boosting its tourist activities, bearing in mind the implementation of the decentralisation policy.
Unveiling the foundation stone, the Vice-President commended the Legacy Group for choosing to invest in Zambia, and was happy with the growth of the real estate industry in the country.
He said the 3,000 and more jobs to be created by the construction of two five-star hotels and a golf course, would significantly bolster the economic footing of Livingstone and Zambia as a whole.
The increasing investment into Livingstone and the whole country, he said, was a clear testimony of the confidence investors had in Zambia's enabling environment for business.
Although Zambia offers one of the best investment atmospheres in the sub-region, some of the challenges, which it, however, faces, including inadequate marketing, human resource, poor infrastructure and others, are being addressed through various instruments.
The overhaul of the Livingstone International Airport to increase capacity, enhance infrastructure and boost tourism further is one of the corrective measures.
According to the Vice-President, giving the Legacy Group 200 hectares of prime protected land demonstrated Government's value attached to the project.
Furthermore, no exclusive zones should be created on the new complex and social amenities so as to deny locals access, but be made accessible to Zambians to appreciate their acceptance of the project in their land.
On racism, Mr Mwape sent a strong warning to culprits who were mostly tour operators from Livingstone and tasked Southern Province Permanent Secretary Darius Hakayobe to submit a report on the abuses of workers for appropriate action.
And Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources director Judith Wake said the increasing investment in the sector would stimulate rural development, income generation and job creation.
She said tour operators were not following labour laws and resorted to manipulation of workers using different gimmicks, including the Kwacha appreciation to threaten reducing their workforce.
She said reports of abuse were rampant and required them to honour the statutory K268,000 lowest salary threshold set by Government.
Investors must pass on Livingstone's localised incentives to their workers and the community at large.
She said the ministry, in collaboration with other wings, would deal firmly with the reports of abusing workers by tour operators.
Overjoyed by the development, Mr Hakayobe said Livingstone and the people of Southern Province should guard the investment jealously as it would benefit them.
The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has already signed a memorandum of understanding with The Legacy Group authorising the project.
The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
August 16, 2006
Edward Mulenga
ONCE again, Livingstone has witnessed and celebrated the coming of another huge venture and continued investment inflow into the tourist capital by the Legacy Group, which will create more than 3,000 jobs.
This $200 million mammoth project has accentuated hopes of achieving a broader economic scope of the town and the nation.
Considering the prospects the project holds for Livingstone and the country, the enthusiasm exhibited by the witnesses to this occasion foretold the economic benefits and amount of redemption to be realised by the community from this venture.
July 28, 2006 was not an ordinary day for the Livingstone community as the unveiling of the foundation stone in the Mosi-Oa-tunya National Park by Vice-President Lupando Mwape proved symbolic.
Diplomats accredited to Zambia, chief executives of parastatal companies, investors and various people from all walks of life were there.
The project is being pioneered by a consortium of local businesses and Legacy Group of South Africa.
Legacy Holdings Zambia chairman Jacob Sikazwe said the investor would spend over $200 million to build two five-star hotels, 18-hole world class golf club, villas and a country club estate.
The two five-star Hotels, Mos-Oa-Tunya and the Queen Victoria with a world class 18-hole golf course, country club, arts and crafts centre and several villas, will ultimately contribute 1,790 rooms to the current bed capacity.
This development will definitely go beyond mere promotion of tourism in Livingstone.
Mr Sikazwe said at Zambezi Sun Hotel after the unveiling ceremony that the project would change the paradigm of the tourism industry which Government prioritised as second to agriculture.
And Legacy Group chairman Bart Dorrestein from South Africa hailed Zambians' passion for their country and was excited to be part of the project.
Legacy Group director of development Renatus Mushinge said construction of the first hotel would commence next year, but the entire project will be completed by 2010 in time for the World Cup in South Africa.
More than 3,000 permanent jobs will be created, 2,500 of them during construction and another 7,500 through various supplies and contracts.
Apart from these benefits to individuals, the project, through different statutory obligations and spill-over effects will create huge revenue for the Livingstone City Council, the National Airports Corporation (NACL), the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and others.
Revenue estimates of over K30 billion will be realised every year, which will be significant in reconstructing Livingstone and boosting its tourist activities, bearing in mind the implementation of the decentralisation policy.
Unveiling the foundation stone, the Vice-President commended the Legacy Group for choosing to invest in Zambia, and was happy with the growth of the real estate industry in the country.
He said the 3,000 and more jobs to be created by the construction of two five-star hotels and a golf course, would significantly bolster the economic footing of Livingstone and Zambia as a whole.
The increasing investment into Livingstone and the whole country, he said, was a clear testimony of the confidence investors had in Zambia's enabling environment for business.
Although Zambia offers one of the best investment atmospheres in the sub-region, some of the challenges, which it, however, faces, including inadequate marketing, human resource, poor infrastructure and others, are being addressed through various instruments.
The overhaul of the Livingstone International Airport to increase capacity, enhance infrastructure and boost tourism further is one of the corrective measures.
According to the Vice-President, giving the Legacy Group 200 hectares of prime protected land demonstrated Government's value attached to the project.
Furthermore, no exclusive zones should be created on the new complex and social amenities so as to deny locals access, but be made accessible to Zambians to appreciate their acceptance of the project in their land.
On racism, Mr Mwape sent a strong warning to culprits who were mostly tour operators from Livingstone and tasked Southern Province Permanent Secretary Darius Hakayobe to submit a report on the abuses of workers for appropriate action.
And Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources director Judith Wake said the increasing investment in the sector would stimulate rural development, income generation and job creation.
She said tour operators were not following labour laws and resorted to manipulation of workers using different gimmicks, including the Kwacha appreciation to threaten reducing their workforce.
She said reports of abuse were rampant and required them to honour the statutory K268,000 lowest salary threshold set by Government.
Investors must pass on Livingstone's localised incentives to their workers and the community at large.
She said the ministry, in collaboration with other wings, would deal firmly with the reports of abusing workers by tour operators.
Overjoyed by the development, Mr Hakayobe said Livingstone and the people of Southern Province should guard the investment jealously as it would benefit them.
The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has already signed a memorandum of understanding with The Legacy Group authorising the project.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Victoria Falls threatened
Livingstone residents from all walks of life have overwhelmingly rejected the proposal by Legacy Holdings Zambia Limited to construct two hotels and a golf course in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park.
This is on account that major interested parties were not involved from the beginning.
They rejected the project at a Scoping Meeting of the Environmental Impact Assessment organised by Legacy where they said the company should find another site for the project to protect nature and heritage sites.
Director for Conservation Services at the National Heritage Conservation Commission, Francis Shalwiindi said the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO World Heritage Centre may withdraw the World Heritage status on the Victoria Falls and the surrounding area if the project goes ahead.
Mr. Shalwiindi said UNESCO has already written to the NHCC expressing its concerns over the proposed project and asked why Zambia is abrogating international and regional conventions.
Livingtone Tourism Association Chairman, Cornellious Katenekwa said tourists who support eco-tourism will start boycotting the Victoria Falls area when it loses its wilderness value, if the project is not stopped.
The Director General of the Zambia Wildlife Authority, Lewis Saiwana and Legacy Holding Zambia Limited Chairman, Jacob Sikazwe failed to provide satisfactory answers to many questions raised in the meeting.
Dr. Saiwana said ZAWA will use its legal powers to make sure that the project goes ahead after addressing all the concern
Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Darius Hakayobe said the project should not be shot down but stressed that its impact should be defined.
Senior Chief Mukuni of the Toka-Leya people said the project should be supported because it will create employment.
ZAMBIA NATIONAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION
This is on account that major interested parties were not involved from the beginning.
They rejected the project at a Scoping Meeting of the Environmental Impact Assessment organised by Legacy where they said the company should find another site for the project to protect nature and heritage sites.
Director for Conservation Services at the National Heritage Conservation Commission, Francis Shalwiindi said the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO World Heritage Centre may withdraw the World Heritage status on the Victoria Falls and the surrounding area if the project goes ahead.
Mr. Shalwiindi said UNESCO has already written to the NHCC expressing its concerns over the proposed project and asked why Zambia is abrogating international and regional conventions.
Livingtone Tourism Association Chairman, Cornellious Katenekwa said tourists who support eco-tourism will start boycotting the Victoria Falls area when it loses its wilderness value, if the project is not stopped.
The Director General of the Zambia Wildlife Authority, Lewis Saiwana and Legacy Holding Zambia Limited Chairman, Jacob Sikazwe failed to provide satisfactory answers to many questions raised in the meeting.
Dr. Saiwana said ZAWA will use its legal powers to make sure that the project goes ahead after addressing all the concern
Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Darius Hakayobe said the project should not be shot down but stressed that its impact should be defined.
Senior Chief Mukuni of the Toka-Leya people said the project should be supported because it will create employment.
ZAMBIA NATIONAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION
From "This week in Livingstone - 7-13 August", the Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA) weekly email newsletter by Gill Staden.
Legacy Hotels Scoping Meeting
The meeting was held yesterday at the New Fairmount Hotel. The meeting was supposed to be invitation only and when members of the Wildlife Society arrived en masse, there was a bit of confusion. Finally everyone was allowed in ... only Bob the Birdman, who arrived later, had to go!
Rennie Mushinge and Jacob Sikazwe represented Legacy. Dr Saiwana attended as ZAWA representative. The PS and Chief Mukuni were also present.
The meeting started with presentations from Legacy and their environmental consultants. The Environmental Impact process was explained and then Legacy showed their plans for the site and showed other Legacy developments in South Africa. Their commitment to the economic value of their development was stressed. The plan of the site showed two hotels either side of the Maramba River on the Zambezi. A conference centre was shown in the area around Maramba River Lodge. The whole development is surrounded by a golf course and 400 houses - I assume timeshare.
Although there was an attempt to stop too many questions from the Wildlife Society, everyone finally had their chance to speak. It was extremely interesting as everyone who spoke, from whichever walk of life, was passionate about their love of the park. Nick, our Chairman, gave a good speech about the necessity using all authorities who have jurisdiction in the Park - NHCC, ZAWA, Council, UNESC, IUCN, etc. He said that without approval from all authorities, the project could not go ahead smoothly.
Dr Saiwana stated that ZAWA had full authority in the Park but this was disputed, not only by Nick but also by Margaret Whitehead, Mr Shalwinde (NHCC) and the Council Planner.
The Wildlife Society, although concentrating their remarks on the elephants also stressed the need to preserve the area for other animals, plants and insects (this from Benjamin Mibenge). Mike Musgrave said that, although a narrow corridor for the elephants along the Maramba River was to be set aside, it would be difficult to train the elephants to use the corridor!
Clare Mateke asked why alternative sites had not been considered as, although Livingstone wanted the development, we did not want to lose this part of the Park. She suggested that the area towards Mukuni Village would be ideal.
Nick Katanekwa also brought up the fact that the World Heritage Site was, not only the Victoria Falls but also the wilderness area surrounding the Falls - ie the Park.
Clement (LCC) mentioned that the traffic increase was going to be serious. Now that the bridge has been re-opened to trucks Livingstone was already trying to cope with a huge traffic problem. He also mentioned that the overflow for the sewage still goes into the Maramba River.
Mike (NHCC) felt that the EIA should consider, not only the impact of the development in that particular area but also take in a wider view to look at the overall impact on the Park and Livingstone.
Kinny Ntambali asked why 9 other applicants for this part of the park - applications which were spread over the previous 5 years, or so - had not been allowed to develop the area.
A reporter from Radio FM commented that she was not allowed to go into Sun International to wander around the park there and she assumed that the same would now be the case at the Legacy development. She wondered, as a member of the younger generation, why she should inherit the total commercialisation of the riverbank from the older generation.
A reporter from ZNBC asked for straight answers to the questions, as most of the answers seemed to be very vague. He was basically told not to be so confrontational.
I think you get the idea ... there were lots more questions and few satisfactory answers. The Livingstone community repeated all the time that the development was good and that Livingstone needed it ... but, please not in that particular section of the park.
Chief Mukuni ended the meeting with an impassioned speech saying that Livingstone needed the development to provide jobs for the people. He could see no reason why it should not be in the park and did not want it up in his area.
I think Legacy will go back to Lusaka a bit surprised over the passion of people in Livingstone. There will be a public debate at a later stage.
I will be sending out a more detailed report as soon as I have finished it, but I think this about sums it up. Apologies to those who have already received it through Gill.
Clare Mateke
The meeting was held yesterday at the New Fairmount Hotel. The meeting was supposed to be invitation only and when members of the Wildlife Society arrived en masse, there was a bit of confusion. Finally everyone was allowed in ... only Bob the Birdman, who arrived later, had to go!
Rennie Mushinge and Jacob Sikazwe represented Legacy. Dr Saiwana attended as ZAWA representative. The PS and Chief Mukuni were also present.
The meeting started with presentations from Legacy and their environmental consultants. The Environmental Impact process was explained and then Legacy showed their plans for the site and showed other Legacy developments in South Africa. Their commitment to the economic value of their development was stressed. The plan of the site showed two hotels either side of the Maramba River on the Zambezi. A conference centre was shown in the area around Maramba River Lodge. The whole development is surrounded by a golf course and 400 houses - I assume timeshare.
Although there was an attempt to stop too many questions from the Wildlife Society, everyone finally had their chance to speak. It was extremely interesting as everyone who spoke, from whichever walk of life, was passionate about their love of the park. Nick, our Chairman, gave a good speech about the necessity using all authorities who have jurisdiction in the Park - NHCC, ZAWA, Council, UNESC, IUCN, etc. He said that without approval from all authorities, the project could not go ahead smoothly.
Dr Saiwana stated that ZAWA had full authority in the Park but this was disputed, not only by Nick but also by Margaret Whitehead, Mr Shalwinde (NHCC) and the Council Planner.
The Wildlife Society, although concentrating their remarks on the elephants also stressed the need to preserve the area for other animals, plants and insects (this from Benjamin Mibenge). Mike Musgrave said that, although a narrow corridor for the elephants along the Maramba River was to be set aside, it would be difficult to train the elephants to use the corridor!
Clare Mateke asked why alternative sites had not been considered as, although Livingstone wanted the development, we did not want to lose this part of the Park. She suggested that the area towards Mukuni Village would be ideal.
Nick Katanekwa also brought up the fact that the World Heritage Site was, not only the Victoria Falls but also the wilderness area surrounding the Falls - ie the Park.
Clement (LCC) mentioned that the traffic increase was going to be serious. Now that the bridge has been re-opened to trucks Livingstone was already trying to cope with a huge traffic problem. He also mentioned that the overflow for the sewage still goes into the Maramba River.
Mike (NHCC) felt that the EIA should consider, not only the impact of the development in that particular area but also take in a wider view to look at the overall impact on the Park and Livingstone.
Kinny Ntambali asked why 9 other applicants for this part of the park - applications which were spread over the previous 5 years, or so - had not been allowed to develop the area.
A reporter from Radio FM commented that she was not allowed to go into Sun International to wander around the park there and she assumed that the same would now be the case at the Legacy development. She wondered, as a member of the younger generation, why she should inherit the total commercialisation of the riverbank from the older generation.
A reporter from ZNBC asked for straight answers to the questions, as most of the answers seemed to be very vague. He was basically told not to be so confrontational.
I think you get the idea ... there were lots more questions and few satisfactory answers. The Livingstone community repeated all the time that the development was good and that Livingstone needed it ... but, please not in that particular section of the park.
Chief Mukuni ended the meeting with an impassioned speech saying that Livingstone needed the development to provide jobs for the people. He could see no reason why it should not be in the park and did not want it up in his area.
I think Legacy will go back to Lusaka a bit surprised over the passion of people in Livingstone. There will be a public debate at a later stage.
I will be sending out a more detailed report as soon as I have finished it, but I think this about sums it up. Apologies to those who have already received it through Gill.
Clare Mateke
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Legacy Holdings Planned Development
Note particularly the "elephant corridor" along one side of the Maramba River (shown with red dotted arrow and labelled "elephant right of way"), and the 400 villas shown in red, which will constitute over 1,300 rooms.
The white patch in the middle is the existing Maramba River Lodge. The road along the top edge is the Livingstone-Falls Road.
Clare Mateke
Sunday, August 13, 2006
From the Livingstone Structure Plan 2006
Here are some extracts from the Livingstone Structure Plan (Development Framework Final Report) produced by consultants under the SEED project and approved by Livingstone City Council on 27 June 2006.
This is the Vision and Mission Statement for the Council:
1.2.4. Vision and Mission Statement
The vision that was formulated to guide future development reads as follows:
Livingstone, as the main tourism destination in Zambia, must strive to
become the preferred tourism destination in Southern Africa, through
provision of a quality tourism experience, by resolutely protecting the
World Heritage Site and it’s surrounds, and actively promoting this
unique environment and thereby improving the economic situation
and quality of life of the residents.
The mission for the Livingstone City Council is:
The mission of the Livingstone City Council is to provide minimum
level of services that are affordable and to ensure that the costs of
such services are recovered in order to protect the environment of
this World Heritage Site and promote sustainable development.
This is the map of the World Heritage Site area:
This is the map of proposed tourism development:
Margaret Whitehead
Livingstone
This is the Vision and Mission Statement for the Council:
1.2.4. Vision and Mission Statement
The vision that was formulated to guide future development reads as follows:
Livingstone, as the main tourism destination in Zambia, must strive to
become the preferred tourism destination in Southern Africa, through
provision of a quality tourism experience, by resolutely protecting the
World Heritage Site and it’s surrounds, and actively promoting this
unique environment and thereby improving the economic situation
and quality of life of the residents.
The mission for the Livingstone City Council is:
The mission of the Livingstone City Council is to provide minimum
level of services that are affordable and to ensure that the costs of
such services are recovered in order to protect the environment of
this World Heritage Site and promote sustainable development.
This is the map of the World Heritage Site area:
This is the map of proposed tourism development:
Margaret Whitehead
Livingstone
The Lowdown...
The Gecko, like everyone else believes in development. A country needs to better itself. There is need for a people to move forward; to better jobs, a conducive environment and all the good things that development promises. But at what cost should this come?
In a developing country like Zambia, weighed down by poverty and joblessness, the investor, whatever he promises may over-ride every other consideration. Many times, not much thought is given to the implication an investment, either in construction or tourism, may have on the people and the environment. There are cases in point: Plans to build a state of the art shopping mall at Freedom Park in Kitwe is a good example. The company was given the go ahead by Kitwe City Council, but was stopped by the government which reminded the local authority, that the park was, besides being of social and significant importance – a heritage site. Liuwa and Sioma National Parks in Western Province were supposed to taken over by a foreign company. The proposals were however shot down by a united voice of the local leadership which saw too many disadvantages in the plan.
It is obvious that the reasons why these plans failed had something to do with the way the natural habitat would be affected.
For those who regularly read the papers, the Gecko would like to draw their attention to an advert which has been running, concerning a company that calls itself, “Legacy Holdings Zambia limited.”
It has proposed, what it calls the “Mosi-oa-tunya Hotel and country club estate project”. Under this project, the company will build a 4 and 5 star hotel, International Conference Centre, a five star queen Victoria hotel, golf estate with 18 holes, luxury villas gym tennis and squash courts. This is what development is made of – Massive investment, that results in job creation and adding value to wherever place such a project will come up.
The Gecko however has its own misgivings with the Legacy Holding plans.
Why? Simple. The company plans to lay out its magnificent dreams in the Mosi-oa-tunya national Park.
Anything that has to do with a National Park, the Victoria Falls or indeed a site of eminence raises interest.
Questions like, how much of the National habitat will be disturbed or affected, easily come to the fore.
How many animals will be disturbed or displaced and what percentage of the park will be sacrificed?
Will the country club estate be close to the Victoria Falls?
The Gecko has been told that these are the questions that are supposed to be answered after what naturalists call “an environmental impact assessment” is conducted. Could someone out there please reveal what the results of the impact assessment on the proposed project were? This question is raised on account of the importance and significance the natural setting being proposed for such a development has.The National Park and the Victoria Falls are national heritage sites and whatever development that is supposed to take place within their confines is of national interest. Under the Rio Declaration on Environmental Development, the steps to follow in ensuring that development needs do not negate environmental concerns are very clear. So too are the pressures poor countries face when development projects like the Legacy Holdings country club estate are dangled before them.
Zambia has everything to gain in terms of socio-economic advancement, if this project takes hold.
But what will be the cost?
The benefits are obvious. Legacy Holdings says the project is expected to create 2000 jobs during construction and 1000 permanent jobs after. The Holding company says the project will be commissioned in 2008 before the 2010 FIFA world cup that will be hosted by South Africa.
However, it is the environmental impact that should be of concern. Nature has been kind to Zambia. Nowhere in the world has it arranged itself in such a manner as it has done in Livingstone at the Falls and the Park. Where else in the world would you find a “smoke that thunders”; where is it that you will see a curtain of water so thunderous? It is not by chance that Victoria Falls is one of the “seven wonders of the World”. Yt is by natural design. There is a need to have an environment screening that must address some major components like tourism, the natural habitat, wildlife, cultural and traditional sites and the vegetation.
The Gecko knows that there are people out there for whom matters of the environment mean nothing. But everyone alive today is accountable for whatever happens to this country because you hold it in trust for future generations. This generation inherited all that you see but what will it pass on?
What the Gecko sees is that there is a danger of the country selling off its heritage in the name of investment.
In a developing country like Zambia, weighed down by poverty and joblessness, the investor, whatever he promises may over-ride every other consideration. Many times, not much thought is given to the implication an investment, either in construction or tourism, may have on the people and the environment. There are cases in point: Plans to build a state of the art shopping mall at Freedom Park in Kitwe is a good example. The company was given the go ahead by Kitwe City Council, but was stopped by the government which reminded the local authority, that the park was, besides being of social and significant importance – a heritage site. Liuwa and Sioma National Parks in Western Province were supposed to taken over by a foreign company. The proposals were however shot down by a united voice of the local leadership which saw too many disadvantages in the plan.
It is obvious that the reasons why these plans failed had something to do with the way the natural habitat would be affected.
For those who regularly read the papers, the Gecko would like to draw their attention to an advert which has been running, concerning a company that calls itself, “Legacy Holdings Zambia limited.”
It has proposed, what it calls the “Mosi-oa-tunya Hotel and country club estate project”. Under this project, the company will build a 4 and 5 star hotel, International Conference Centre, a five star queen Victoria hotel, golf estate with 18 holes, luxury villas gym tennis and squash courts. This is what development is made of – Massive investment, that results in job creation and adding value to wherever place such a project will come up.
The Gecko however has its own misgivings with the Legacy Holding plans.
Why? Simple. The company plans to lay out its magnificent dreams in the Mosi-oa-tunya national Park.
Anything that has to do with a National Park, the Victoria Falls or indeed a site of eminence raises interest.
Questions like, how much of the National habitat will be disturbed or affected, easily come to the fore.
How many animals will be disturbed or displaced and what percentage of the park will be sacrificed?
Will the country club estate be close to the Victoria Falls?
The Gecko has been told that these are the questions that are supposed to be answered after what naturalists call “an environmental impact assessment” is conducted. Could someone out there please reveal what the results of the impact assessment on the proposed project were? This question is raised on account of the importance and significance the natural setting being proposed for such a development has.The National Park and the Victoria Falls are national heritage sites and whatever development that is supposed to take place within their confines is of national interest. Under the Rio Declaration on Environmental Development, the steps to follow in ensuring that development needs do not negate environmental concerns are very clear. So too are the pressures poor countries face when development projects like the Legacy Holdings country club estate are dangled before them.
Zambia has everything to gain in terms of socio-economic advancement, if this project takes hold.
But what will be the cost?
The benefits are obvious. Legacy Holdings says the project is expected to create 2000 jobs during construction and 1000 permanent jobs after. The Holding company says the project will be commissioned in 2008 before the 2010 FIFA world cup that will be hosted by South Africa.
However, it is the environmental impact that should be of concern. Nature has been kind to Zambia. Nowhere in the world has it arranged itself in such a manner as it has done in Livingstone at the Falls and the Park. Where else in the world would you find a “smoke that thunders”; where is it that you will see a curtain of water so thunderous? It is not by chance that Victoria Falls is one of the “seven wonders of the World”. Yt is by natural design. There is a need to have an environment screening that must address some major components like tourism, the natural habitat, wildlife, cultural and traditional sites and the vegetation.
The Gecko knows that there are people out there for whom matters of the environment mean nothing. But everyone alive today is accountable for whatever happens to this country because you hold it in trust for future generations. This generation inherited all that you see but what will it pass on?
What the Gecko sees is that there is a danger of the country selling off its heritage in the name of investment.
Beforetimes...
99-year lease for park slashed to 25 years
By Times Reporter
THE Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has signed revised Tourism Concession Agreements (TCA) with Safpar Lodge in Mosi-oa-tunya National Park.
The agreement effectively cancels the two 99 year-lease title deeds earlier issued by ZAWA’s forerunner National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and replaces them with 25-year lease agreements.
Speaking during a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday ZAWA director general Hapenga Kabeta said the move was necessitated because the earlier agreement violated the Zambia Wildlife Act, which did not allow people to hold title in the national parks.
He explained that Safpar had a 99-year title in Mosi-oa-tunya National Park on Plot number 14730/m and 14732/m where they intended to construct David Livingstone hotel and tented camps.
Mr Kabeta said that the ZAWA had no powers to recommend the issuance of title deeds in the national parks adding that if a title was issued in a national park then such an area needs to be zoned out and degazetted from the park.
He observed that the TCA given to Safpar would give comfort to the investors and ZAWA as the security of the tenure was guaranteed adding that the Zambia Wildlife Act was not violated.
“This agreement is a win -win situation where the investor is happy and ZAWA is also happy,” he said.
He noted that Kafue National Park had a few investors and as a way of promoting investments, ZAWA had prepared a tender bid document and placed advertisements inviting investor to invest in various national parks.
He said so far ZAWA had conducted negotiations and signed several TCAs in Kafue, South Luangwa, Nsumbu and Mosi-oa-tunya national parks.
Speaking earlier, Safari Par Excellence director Xen Vlahakis said the hotel development project his company wants to undertake was estimated at US$14 million which he said would be another major tourism and hospitality project in Livingstone.
He said the 160-bed four star hotel facility would be situated on the present Adventure Village site, which was being relocated to a new downstream adding that the hotel would be constructed on two levels within the tree-line.
By Times Reporter
THE Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has signed revised Tourism Concession Agreements (TCA) with Safpar Lodge in Mosi-oa-tunya National Park.
The agreement effectively cancels the two 99 year-lease title deeds earlier issued by ZAWA’s forerunner National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and replaces them with 25-year lease agreements.
Speaking during a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday ZAWA director general Hapenga Kabeta said the move was necessitated because the earlier agreement violated the Zambia Wildlife Act, which did not allow people to hold title in the national parks.
He explained that Safpar had a 99-year title in Mosi-oa-tunya National Park on Plot number 14730/m and 14732/m where they intended to construct David Livingstone hotel and tented camps.
Mr Kabeta said that the ZAWA had no powers to recommend the issuance of title deeds in the national parks adding that if a title was issued in a national park then such an area needs to be zoned out and degazetted from the park.
He observed that the TCA given to Safpar would give comfort to the investors and ZAWA as the security of the tenure was guaranteed adding that the Zambia Wildlife Act was not violated.
“This agreement is a win -win situation where the investor is happy and ZAWA is also happy,” he said.
He noted that Kafue National Park had a few investors and as a way of promoting investments, ZAWA had prepared a tender bid document and placed advertisements inviting investor to invest in various national parks.
He said so far ZAWA had conducted negotiations and signed several TCAs in Kafue, South Luangwa, Nsumbu and Mosi-oa-tunya national parks.
Speaking earlier, Safari Par Excellence director Xen Vlahakis said the hotel development project his company wants to undertake was estimated at US$14 million which he said would be another major tourism and hospitality project in Livingstone.
He said the 160-bed four star hotel facility would be situated on the present Adventure Village site, which was being relocated to a new downstream adding that the hotel would be constructed on two levels within the tree-line.
World Bank SEED Project PID 2001
Report No. PID10445
Project Name Zambia-Support to Economic Expansion and
Diversification (SEED):Tourism
Region Africa Regional Office
Sector Other Industry
Project ID ZMPE71407
Borrower(s) MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEV.
Implementing Agency
Address MIN.TOURISM, MIN LOCAL GOV.& HOUSING,
MIN. COMM.,IND.& TRADE
Ministry of Tourism
Address: Box 30575
Contact Person: Emmanuel Kasanga, Economist
Tel: 260-1-224676
Fax: 260-1-223930/222189
Email: mintour@zamnet.zm
Ministry of Local Government & Housing
Address: Lusaka, Zambia
Contact Person: Dr. Glynn A. S. Khonje,
Director, Physical Planning &
Housing
Tel: 260-1-250996
Fax: 260-1-253697
Email: townplan@zamnet.zm
Environment Category B
Date PID Prepared May 3, 2001
Projected Appraisal Date July 31, 2002
Projected Board Date December 30, 2002
1. Country and Sector Background
Government strategy Tourism development has been a priority for a
number of years in Zambia but its growth has been on a relatively small
scale. As traditional industries have come under pressure (mining and
tobacco and cotton), Government has started to focus on tourism as a
source of growth and diversification of the economy. The Government is
also mindful to avoid the negative impacts tourism might have if
unfettered growth of tourism were allowed to proceed. Moreover, it
recognizes that the sector must address environmental, social and cultural
heritage issues if tourism is to be vibrant and sustainable. Zambia has
undertaken many macroeconomic reforms, which have produced the stability
conducive to private investment; and its citizens live in peace under the
rule of law. The basic economic framework is conducive to private
investment, including tourism. To encourage investment, however, the
Government recognizes that it: (a) must be a catalyst for growth by
ensuring that public institutions dealing with tourism are transparent and
effective; (b) build confidence in the private sector to make the
investments which will lead to enriching the range of tourism products and
services the country has to offer; and (c) provide basic infrastructure
such as roads, water and sanitation. This is demonstrated in the last two
years' budget where tourism was sighted as a top priority along with high
value added agriculture as the lynch pins of the new Zambian economy. A
study under European Union (EU) funding has led to a framework for tourism
that has found acceptance in both the public and private sectors. The
interim PRSP strongly endorses tourism as a source of growth and a way of
alleviating poverty through support for SMEs serving tourism, employment
creation and foreign exchange generation. The final PRSP is likely to
emphasize tourism as a sector that can create wealth and generate
employment in the poorest parts of the country and thus contribute to
better distribution of the benefits of growth to poorer communities,
provided that efforts are made to include communities in the earliest
stages of planning. The Government is committed to the growth of tourism
and is now ready to make the resources necessary for that to happen -
funding to underpin a strong approach to tourism would confirm the
Government's credibility and the private sector appears ready to do its
part. The Government has identified Livingstone and the Victoria Falls
(the Mosi-O-Tunya or "the Smoke that Thunders") as a priority for economic
expansion and diversification, based on tourism. The Victoria Falls is a
World Heritage Site. It is a strong magnet that has long attracted
tourists to the falls themselves as well as to its surrounding wildlife
and extraordinary cultural heritage. More recently the area has attracted
those seeking adventure and exotic surroundings in the nearby wildlife
areas, including the Mosi-O-Tunya National Park itself, the Kafue National
Park, Lake Kariba, and the Lower Zambezi Valley. A multi- million dollar
investment has also just been completed in Livingstone, where an
international resort developer has built two luxury hotels
2. Objectives
The project seeks to support the Government of the Republic of Zambia's
(GRZ) efforts to stimulate diversified economic growth and private sector
investment in the country, using tourism as an entry point. This is to be
achieved through public/private partnership for building an enabling
environment conducive to private sector growth, support for and
community-based development, and by preserving Zambia's extensive
cultural, natural and wildlife assets.
3. Rationale for Bank's Involvement
The Bank Group's comparative advantage is in policy, management of public
goods and intervening where markets do not appear to work. Due to its
capacity to respond to multisectoral needs of the sector in the form of
assistance in infrastructure, policy and capacity development all at once,
the Bank is also uniquely positioned to provide the much needed
coordination of the Tourism/Wildlife sectors in Zambia. The proposed
project covers all these aspects. There are major policy choices to be
made, notably to encourage private sector development in tourism, underpin
public policy with performing institutions and balancing trade-offs in
wildlife, environmental and community needs. Management of public goods
in the national park and wildlife system are central to the project's
sustainability and support for SMEs to "kickstart" tourism is crucial as a
new source of growth and diversification. The Africa Region recently
completed a study on "Tourism in Africa" and many of the lessons of that
report are incorporated in project design. The synergies within bank
- 2-
funded operations (i.e. ROADSIP, EDP, ESP, ERIPTA, URWSP) and between the
Bank, IFC (SME Group), FIAS and MIGA would be utilized. A number of
proposals for private sector development have already been communicated to
IFC and MIGA to explore the role these institutions can play in supporting
tourism investment promotion and guarantee operations. Discussions are
ongoing with the Business Partners for Development (BPD) group to develop
partnerships with active private sector operators in the sector (SUN
international). The project will also seek support from the new SME
department and focus the policy skills of the Bank and the transactions
skills of IFC to encourage greater participation of the private sector in
tourism.
4. Description
a/ Comprehensive development of Livingstone as Zambia's flagship tourism
destination -
(i) Development and rehabilitation of priority infrastructure in and
around Livingstone (including roads, drainage, solid waste/landfill
management, water supply, sewerage/sanitation, fire, health and social
services.
(ii) Updating of the 1995 Livingstone
Strategic Development Master Plan
b/ Securing the Environment for Economic Development - Protection and
conservation of Zambia's national wildlife assets:
(i) Development of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park as a model of intensive
economic use and biodiversity conservation.
(ii) Development of the Kafue National Park as a model of extensive
economic use and biodiversity conservation.
(iii) Financial and technical assistance for the development of ZAWA's
wildlife monitoring program in SEED-GEF target areas.
(iv) Support ZAWA's Community Based National Resource Management programs
in SEED program target areas
c/ Strengthen and stimulate creation of small and medium enterprises, and
community based projects in tourism and wildlife through creation of a
revolving fund accessible to small and medium scale enterprises and
community based initiatives in tourism related activities
d/ Regulatory reform and institutional strengthening for efficient
management of the sector and improved service delivery - Institutional
development and rationalization of mandates and capacity building for
various entities, both public and private:
(i) Ministry of Tourism
(ii) ZAWA
(iii) Livingstone City Council
- 3-
(iv) Zambia National Tourist Board
(v) National Heritage Conservation Commission
(vi) Tourism Council of Zambia
5. Financing
Total ( US$m)
Total Project Cost 35
6. Implementation
An Inter-ministerial Tourism Committee in under consideration by the
Cabinet and can become a critical institutional mechanism for assuring
coordination amongst the various players. It is envisaged to have private
sector participation to ensure liaison with operators and investors in
tourism. It will focus both on strategic and policy orientation. It will
be supported by a Technical Committee whose members will be drawn from
interested ministries, agencies and the private sector - this unit will be
the real engine for execution of the project. Each agency under the
project will be linked to the Technical Committee and appropriate
departments in these agencies will be strengthened to carry out their
functions. In specific cases, appropriate technical agencies will be
responsible for execution of related components (e.g. ZAWA for the SEED
GEF component). Until such time that the Cabinet approves creation of
this Committee, the Ministry of Tourism has agreed to oversee the project
coordination activities and has formed a project preparation team
comprising of representatives of the various ministries involved in the
preparation and implementation of the Project. A project preparation team
has been set-up comprising representatives of the Ministry of Tourism
(overseeing the institutional and policy development aspects of the
project), Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade (overseeing the SME
development aspects of the Project), ZAWA ( responsible for the Wildlife
management and implementation of the GEF component), the Ministry of
Local Government and Housing (overseeing the Livingstone Master Plan
Development preparation) and the Livingstone City Council - The Council
(overseeing the implementation of infrastructure developments in
Livingstone), and the Ministry of Environment represented by the GEF
focal point. German Development Services (ded) representative in Zambia
is also part of the preparation team as ded has expressed interest in
participating in project preparation through building the Council's
implementation capacity.
7. Sustainability
The project's objective is to support the Government of the Republic of
Zambia's (GRZ) efforts to stimulate diversified economic growth and
private sector investment in the country, using tourism as an entry point.
Without the project, the natural, architectural and cultural integrity of
the flagship Livingstone area, which attracts 76t of tourists visiting
Zambia, will deteriorate even beyond present levels and tourism will
decline. Unemployment in Livingstone has hovered around 90, recently. The
proposed improvements should generate increased private investment, which
will create income and employment directly and stimulate linkages to
production and service sectors, including in local communities. The
proposed institutional strengthening and capacity building will assist
-4 -
Zambia to improve its management of its wildlife resources and cultural
assets to improve the financial returns from tourism through increased
numbers of tourists, an increase in their length of stay, and greater
expenditures on goods and services, including handicrafts.
8. Lessons learned from past operations in the country/sector
There are no recent Bank financed tourism development projects.
International experience suggests that for tourism to be successful a
comprehensive and geographically focused approach is needed. Other
general lessons from the Bank's private sector development initiatives
are:Government ownership and support. Government commitment to and
leadership for private sector development, in particular, the tourism
sector, are essential to success. It is evident from the work done in
related sectors that the Government supports tourism
development.Leadership and strong implementation agency, with skilled
staff and empowered with appropriate authority an essential for the
success of any project.Keep stakeholders informed and to engage them from
early on in the project design. Preliminary meetings were held with local
government officials, councilors and chiefs from Mukuni and Luangwa. The
local communities through their chiefs have been consulted and have
assured the project team their communities maximum cooperation. As a
result, a series of public hearings have been scheduled and will be
conducted as soon as funds are available. These hearings and workshops
will move beyond a simple consultative process to engage the stakeholders
into full partnership in decision making and active participation in
implementation of the project in such a way that it would bring true
community support for the program.
9. Program of Targeted Intervention (PTI) Y
10. Environment Aspects (including any public consultation)
Issues Zambia already requires that EAs be undertaken for
tourism projects. The objective of the Project is to help the tourism
sector, which is largely based on natural assets, to become more
sustainable. The project will be designed to mitigate existing negative
impacts on the Victoria Falls, nearby Livingstone and on wildlife
stocks:i) update the IUCN 1996 study "Strategic Environmental Assessment
of Developments around Victoria Falls"" on the Zambian side and facilitate
coordination with representatives on the Zimbabwean side of the Falls; ii)
reduce pollution in Livingstone through improved solid waste and sewage
management, improved roads and drainage systems; this will benefit the
entire township not just the tourism sector;iii) introduce land-use and
zoning systems at the Falls, in Livingstone and in the Musi 0 Tunya
National Park, as well as architectural guidelines and building codes in
Livingstone to improve the visual environment and protect cultural
heritage;iv) assist rural communities to better manage their wildlife and
land resources, through land-use planning; and v) strengthen the capacity
of national and local institutions to undertake EIAs for tourism-related
constructions, particularly in GMAs, National Parks and on rivers.
11. Contact Point:
Task Manager
Mehrnaz Teymourian
The World Bank
-5-
1818 H Street, NW
Washington D.C. 20433
12. For information on other project related documents contact:
The InfoShop
The World Bank
1818 H Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20433
Telephone: (202) 458-5454
Fax: (202) 522-1500
Web: http:// www.worldbank.org/infoshop
Note: This is information on an evolving project. Certain components may
not be necessarily included in the final project.
This PID was processed by the InfoShop during the week ending July 13, 2001.
- 6 -
Project Name Zambia-Support to Economic Expansion and
Diversification (SEED):Tourism
Region Africa Regional Office
Sector Other Industry
Project ID ZMPE71407
Borrower(s) MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEV.
Implementing Agency
Address MIN.TOURISM, MIN LOCAL GOV.& HOUSING,
MIN. COMM.,IND.& TRADE
Ministry of Tourism
Address: Box 30575
Contact Person: Emmanuel Kasanga, Economist
Tel: 260-1-224676
Fax: 260-1-223930/222189
Email: mintour@zamnet.zm
Ministry of Local Government & Housing
Address: Lusaka, Zambia
Contact Person: Dr. Glynn A. S. Khonje,
Director, Physical Planning &
Housing
Tel: 260-1-250996
Fax: 260-1-253697
Email: townplan@zamnet.zm
Environment Category B
Date PID Prepared May 3, 2001
Projected Appraisal Date July 31, 2002
Projected Board Date December 30, 2002
1. Country and Sector Background
Government strategy Tourism development has been a priority for a
number of years in Zambia but its growth has been on a relatively small
scale. As traditional industries have come under pressure (mining and
tobacco and cotton), Government has started to focus on tourism as a
source of growth and diversification of the economy. The Government is
also mindful to avoid the negative impacts tourism might have if
unfettered growth of tourism were allowed to proceed. Moreover, it
recognizes that the sector must address environmental, social and cultural
heritage issues if tourism is to be vibrant and sustainable. Zambia has
undertaken many macroeconomic reforms, which have produced the stability
conducive to private investment; and its citizens live in peace under the
rule of law. The basic economic framework is conducive to private
investment, including tourism. To encourage investment, however, the
Government recognizes that it: (a) must be a catalyst for growth by
ensuring that public institutions dealing with tourism are transparent and
effective; (b) build confidence in the private sector to make the
investments which will lead to enriching the range of tourism products and
services the country has to offer; and (c) provide basic infrastructure
such as roads, water and sanitation. This is demonstrated in the last two
years' budget where tourism was sighted as a top priority along with high
value added agriculture as the lynch pins of the new Zambian economy. A
study under European Union (EU) funding has led to a framework for tourism
that has found acceptance in both the public and private sectors. The
interim PRSP strongly endorses tourism as a source of growth and a way of
alleviating poverty through support for SMEs serving tourism, employment
creation and foreign exchange generation. The final PRSP is likely to
emphasize tourism as a sector that can create wealth and generate
employment in the poorest parts of the country and thus contribute to
better distribution of the benefits of growth to poorer communities,
provided that efforts are made to include communities in the earliest
stages of planning. The Government is committed to the growth of tourism
and is now ready to make the resources necessary for that to happen -
funding to underpin a strong approach to tourism would confirm the
Government's credibility and the private sector appears ready to do its
part. The Government has identified Livingstone and the Victoria Falls
(the Mosi-O-Tunya or "the Smoke that Thunders") as a priority for economic
expansion and diversification, based on tourism. The Victoria Falls is a
World Heritage Site. It is a strong magnet that has long attracted
tourists to the falls themselves as well as to its surrounding wildlife
and extraordinary cultural heritage. More recently the area has attracted
those seeking adventure and exotic surroundings in the nearby wildlife
areas, including the Mosi-O-Tunya National Park itself, the Kafue National
Park, Lake Kariba, and the Lower Zambezi Valley. A multi- million dollar
investment has also just been completed in Livingstone, where an
international resort developer has built two luxury hotels
2. Objectives
The project seeks to support the Government of the Republic of Zambia's
(GRZ) efforts to stimulate diversified economic growth and private sector
investment in the country, using tourism as an entry point. This is to be
achieved through public/private partnership for building an enabling
environment conducive to private sector growth, support for and
community-based development, and by preserving Zambia's extensive
cultural, natural and wildlife assets.
3. Rationale for Bank's Involvement
The Bank Group's comparative advantage is in policy, management of public
goods and intervening where markets do not appear to work. Due to its
capacity to respond to multisectoral needs of the sector in the form of
assistance in infrastructure, policy and capacity development all at once,
the Bank is also uniquely positioned to provide the much needed
coordination of the Tourism/Wildlife sectors in Zambia. The proposed
project covers all these aspects. There are major policy choices to be
made, notably to encourage private sector development in tourism, underpin
public policy with performing institutions and balancing trade-offs in
wildlife, environmental and community needs. Management of public goods
in the national park and wildlife system are central to the project's
sustainability and support for SMEs to "kickstart" tourism is crucial as a
new source of growth and diversification. The Africa Region recently
completed a study on "Tourism in Africa" and many of the lessons of that
report are incorporated in project design. The synergies within bank
- 2-
funded operations (i.e. ROADSIP, EDP, ESP, ERIPTA, URWSP) and between the
Bank, IFC (SME Group), FIAS and MIGA would be utilized. A number of
proposals for private sector development have already been communicated to
IFC and MIGA to explore the role these institutions can play in supporting
tourism investment promotion and guarantee operations. Discussions are
ongoing with the Business Partners for Development (BPD) group to develop
partnerships with active private sector operators in the sector (SUN
international). The project will also seek support from the new SME
department and focus the policy skills of the Bank and the transactions
skills of IFC to encourage greater participation of the private sector in
tourism.
4. Description
a/ Comprehensive development of Livingstone as Zambia's flagship tourism
destination -
(i) Development and rehabilitation of priority infrastructure in and
around Livingstone (including roads, drainage, solid waste/landfill
management, water supply, sewerage/sanitation, fire, health and social
services.
(ii) Updating of the 1995 Livingstone
Strategic Development Master Plan
b/ Securing the Environment for Economic Development - Protection and
conservation of Zambia's national wildlife assets:
(i) Development of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park as a model of intensive
economic use and biodiversity conservation.
(ii) Development of the Kafue National Park as a model of extensive
economic use and biodiversity conservation.
(iii) Financial and technical assistance for the development of ZAWA's
wildlife monitoring program in SEED-GEF target areas.
(iv) Support ZAWA's Community Based National Resource Management programs
in SEED program target areas
c/ Strengthen and stimulate creation of small and medium enterprises, and
community based projects in tourism and wildlife through creation of a
revolving fund accessible to small and medium scale enterprises and
community based initiatives in tourism related activities
d/ Regulatory reform and institutional strengthening for efficient
management of the sector and improved service delivery - Institutional
development and rationalization of mandates and capacity building for
various entities, both public and private:
(i) Ministry of Tourism
(ii) ZAWA
(iii) Livingstone City Council
- 3-
(iv) Zambia National Tourist Board
(v) National Heritage Conservation Commission
(vi) Tourism Council of Zambia
5. Financing
Total ( US$m)
Total Project Cost 35
6. Implementation
An Inter-ministerial Tourism Committee in under consideration by the
Cabinet and can become a critical institutional mechanism for assuring
coordination amongst the various players. It is envisaged to have private
sector participation to ensure liaison with operators and investors in
tourism. It will focus both on strategic and policy orientation. It will
be supported by a Technical Committee whose members will be drawn from
interested ministries, agencies and the private sector - this unit will be
the real engine for execution of the project. Each agency under the
project will be linked to the Technical Committee and appropriate
departments in these agencies will be strengthened to carry out their
functions. In specific cases, appropriate technical agencies will be
responsible for execution of related components (e.g. ZAWA for the SEED
GEF component). Until such time that the Cabinet approves creation of
this Committee, the Ministry of Tourism has agreed to oversee the project
coordination activities and has formed a project preparation team
comprising of representatives of the various ministries involved in the
preparation and implementation of the Project. A project preparation team
has been set-up comprising representatives of the Ministry of Tourism
(overseeing the institutional and policy development aspects of the
project), Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade (overseeing the SME
development aspects of the Project), ZAWA ( responsible for the Wildlife
management and implementation of the GEF component), the Ministry of
Local Government and Housing (overseeing the Livingstone Master Plan
Development preparation) and the Livingstone City Council - The Council
(overseeing the implementation of infrastructure developments in
Livingstone), and the Ministry of Environment represented by the GEF
focal point. German Development Services (ded) representative in Zambia
is also part of the preparation team as ded has expressed interest in
participating in project preparation through building the Council's
implementation capacity.
7. Sustainability
The project's objective is to support the Government of the Republic of
Zambia's (GRZ) efforts to stimulate diversified economic growth and
private sector investment in the country, using tourism as an entry point.
Without the project, the natural, architectural and cultural integrity of
the flagship Livingstone area, which attracts 76t of tourists visiting
Zambia, will deteriorate even beyond present levels and tourism will
decline. Unemployment in Livingstone has hovered around 90, recently. The
proposed improvements should generate increased private investment, which
will create income and employment directly and stimulate linkages to
production and service sectors, including in local communities. The
proposed institutional strengthening and capacity building will assist
-4 -
Zambia to improve its management of its wildlife resources and cultural
assets to improve the financial returns from tourism through increased
numbers of tourists, an increase in their length of stay, and greater
expenditures on goods and services, including handicrafts.
8. Lessons learned from past operations in the country/sector
There are no recent Bank financed tourism development projects.
International experience suggests that for tourism to be successful a
comprehensive and geographically focused approach is needed. Other
general lessons from the Bank's private sector development initiatives
are:Government ownership and support. Government commitment to and
leadership for private sector development, in particular, the tourism
sector, are essential to success. It is evident from the work done in
related sectors that the Government supports tourism
development.Leadership and strong implementation agency, with skilled
staff and empowered with appropriate authority an essential for the
success of any project.Keep stakeholders informed and to engage them from
early on in the project design. Preliminary meetings were held with local
government officials, councilors and chiefs from Mukuni and Luangwa. The
local communities through their chiefs have been consulted and have
assured the project team their communities maximum cooperation. As a
result, a series of public hearings have been scheduled and will be
conducted as soon as funds are available. These hearings and workshops
will move beyond a simple consultative process to engage the stakeholders
into full partnership in decision making and active participation in
implementation of the project in such a way that it would bring true
community support for the program.
9. Program of Targeted Intervention (PTI) Y
10. Environment Aspects (including any public consultation)
Issues Zambia already requires that EAs be undertaken for
tourism projects. The objective of the Project is to help the tourism
sector, which is largely based on natural assets, to become more
sustainable. The project will be designed to mitigate existing negative
impacts on the Victoria Falls, nearby Livingstone and on wildlife
stocks:i) update the IUCN 1996 study "Strategic Environmental Assessment
of Developments around Victoria Falls"" on the Zambian side and facilitate
coordination with representatives on the Zimbabwean side of the Falls; ii)
reduce pollution in Livingstone through improved solid waste and sewage
management, improved roads and drainage systems; this will benefit the
entire township not just the tourism sector;iii) introduce land-use and
zoning systems at the Falls, in Livingstone and in the Musi 0 Tunya
National Park, as well as architectural guidelines and building codes in
Livingstone to improve the visual environment and protect cultural
heritage;iv) assist rural communities to better manage their wildlife and
land resources, through land-use planning; and v) strengthen the capacity
of national and local institutions to undertake EIAs for tourism-related
constructions, particularly in GMAs, National Parks and on rivers.
11. Contact Point:
Task Manager
Mehrnaz Teymourian
The World Bank
-5-
1818 H Street, NW
Washington D.C. 20433
12. For information on other project related documents contact:
The InfoShop
The World Bank
1818 H Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20433
Telephone: (202) 458-5454
Fax: (202) 522-1500
Web: http:// www.worldbank.org/infoshop
Note: This is information on an evolving project. Certain components may
not be necessarily included in the final project.
This PID was processed by the InfoShop during the week ending July 13, 2001.
- 6 -
SEED PROJECT which includes Livingstone and Mosi-oa-Tunya NP
Environmental and social assessment - final report, Volume1 of 2
Author:
HABICO Planning and Architecture Ltd.; Global Development Solutions LLC;
Country:
Zambia;
Credit No:
Q300; Q341
Document Date:
2003/06/30
Document Type:
Environmental Assessment
Language:
English
Major Sector:
Energy and mining; Industry and trade
Rel. Proj ID:
ZM-Support For Economic Expansion And Diversification (Seed) -- P071407;
Region:
Africa
Report Number:
E841
Sector:
Mining and other extractive; Agro-industry; Other industry
SubTopics:
Environmental Economics & Policies; Crops & Crop Management Systems; Agricultural Research; Health Monitoring & Evaluation; Tourism and Ecotourism
Topics:
Health, Nutrition and Population
TF No/Name:
TF026797-PHRD-ZAMBIA: SUPPORT TO ECONOMIC EXPANSION AND DIVERSIFICATION (SEED) T
Volume No:
1 of 2
Abstract: This environmental assessment (EA) aims at developing a systematic process for assessing potential environmental, and social impacts due to the implementation of the Support to Economic Expansion and Diversification (SEED) Project, and, at ensuring full compliance with Zambia's environmental legislation, and the Bank's operational directives. While by and large, the project will generate positive impacts, this EA has identified potential adversity, proposing the following mitigation measures. The creation of an integrated, and coordinated institutional framework is critical to ensure in project areas that stakeholders' interests be considered in the planning, implementation, and management of the project, which includes as well appropriate institutional arrangements, and resources allocation. Social issues address the need for capacity building and training assistance, to sensitize communities, and promote new employment opportunities, through the private sector participation. Public consultation should further ensure the due process, and opportunities for stakeholders to express their views. An environmental screening, and assessment procedures are recommended, to address each project component, i.e., tourism, agribusiness, gemstone processing, and small and medium scale enterprise development. To prevent soil erosion, adversity on natural habitats, wildlife, and on cultural and traditional sites, it is suggested that a) technical specifications, and environmental guidelines be specified for contractors to comply with; b) firebreaks along corridors, or in critical habitats be minimized as possible; and, c) an archaeological survey be conducted prior to construction works, and heritage sites be avoided, or, as needed, the Archaeological authorities be notified. To prevent deforestation, tree harvesting permits should be strictly enforced. Yet, the traditional means of obtaining honey is an issue, and it is suggested to promote the use of hives built from boards. Solid waste disposal requires the provision of facilities, to be monitored regularly, discouraging inappropriate disposal or burning. Several other measures further address issues concerning noise abatement, cattle grazing, wildlife disruption, access to water, and rivers, loss of riparian vegetation, vegetative propagation, in addition to impacts on groundwater, soil, and irrigation systems, among others. The second volume specifically addresses pest management practices.
Author:
HABICO Planning and Architecture Ltd.; Global Development Solutions LLC;
Country:
Zambia;
Credit No:
Q300; Q341
Document Date:
2003/06/30
Document Type:
Environmental Assessment
Language:
English
Major Sector:
Energy and mining; Industry and trade
Rel. Proj ID:
ZM-Support For Economic Expansion And Diversification (Seed) -- P071407;
Region:
Africa
Report Number:
E841
Sector:
Mining and other extractive; Agro-industry; Other industry
SubTopics:
Environmental Economics & Policies; Crops & Crop Management Systems; Agricultural Research; Health Monitoring & Evaluation; Tourism and Ecotourism
Topics:
Health, Nutrition and Population
TF No/Name:
TF026797-PHRD-ZAMBIA: SUPPORT TO ECONOMIC EXPANSION AND DIVERSIFICATION (SEED) T
Volume No:
1 of 2
Abstract: This environmental assessment (EA) aims at developing a systematic process for assessing potential environmental, and social impacts due to the implementation of the Support to Economic Expansion and Diversification (SEED) Project, and, at ensuring full compliance with Zambia's environmental legislation, and the Bank's operational directives. While by and large, the project will generate positive impacts, this EA has identified potential adversity, proposing the following mitigation measures. The creation of an integrated, and coordinated institutional framework is critical to ensure in project areas that stakeholders' interests be considered in the planning, implementation, and management of the project, which includes as well appropriate institutional arrangements, and resources allocation. Social issues address the need for capacity building and training assistance, to sensitize communities, and promote new employment opportunities, through the private sector participation. Public consultation should further ensure the due process, and opportunities for stakeholders to express their views. An environmental screening, and assessment procedures are recommended, to address each project component, i.e., tourism, agribusiness, gemstone processing, and small and medium scale enterprise development. To prevent soil erosion, adversity on natural habitats, wildlife, and on cultural and traditional sites, it is suggested that a) technical specifications, and environmental guidelines be specified for contractors to comply with; b) firebreaks along corridors, or in critical habitats be minimized as possible; and, c) an archaeological survey be conducted prior to construction works, and heritage sites be avoided, or, as needed, the Archaeological authorities be notified. To prevent deforestation, tree harvesting permits should be strictly enforced. Yet, the traditional means of obtaining honey is an issue, and it is suggested to promote the use of hives built from boards. Solid waste disposal requires the provision of facilities, to be monitored regularly, discouraging inappropriate disposal or burning. Several other measures further address issues concerning noise abatement, cattle grazing, wildlife disruption, access to water, and rivers, loss of riparian vegetation, vegetative propagation, in addition to impacts on groundwater, soil, and irrigation systems, among others. The second volume specifically addresses pest management practices.
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