LUSAKA, 11/24 - A United Nations joint mission to the Victoria Falls world heritage site has warned that Zambia`s failure to stick to the joint management of the falls and protection of the world heritage site will endanger the global recognition of the world wonder.
The mission team has also questioned the legality of erection of the Legacy Holding`s foundation stone in the area without consulting other stakeholders like Zimbabwe, Times of Zambia reported on Friday.
The mission, comprising the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Heritage Center (WHC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (INCN), are inspecting the world heritage site both in Zambia and Zimbabwe and expressed concern that the two countries, despite committing themselves to the recommendations of 2002 on the joint management of the falls, even have not ratified the protocols, which has signified their lack of seriousness.
WHC deputy director Rao Kishore said on Wednesday in Livingstone, the capital of Southern Province of Zambia, where part of the falls is located, that the joint mission has decided to take stock of the state of heritage site.
The results of the joint mission`s findings and decisions on new developments in the heritage site will be announced soon. This is the third time this year that UN agencies warned the two countries over the management and protection of the falls.
Zambian side of Victoria Falls and the adjacent bank of Zambezi is called the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park.
Victoria Falls is a world heritage site UNESCO declared in 1989 because of its scientific and tourism value.
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