At a recent meeting of the Natural Resources Consultative Forum steering committee the matter of Governments unwillingness to follow the advice of the NRCF to ban all elephant sport hunting was discussed; it was also agreed that the conservation of the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site required NRCF’s urgent attention, and that all stakeholders should address its future. It was decided to hold a preliminary meeting with the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC), the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ), members of the Livingstone branch of the Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Society (WECSZ) and other individuals willing to take part in a preliminary discussion. ZAWA and NHCC declined to attend and the Chairman of the NRCF therefore cancelled the meeting.
A private luncheon was therefore held by members of the core team - some of whom had travelled jup from Livingstone, who had fought against the alienation of part of the Mosi oa Tunya National Park and the development thereon of an 18 hole golf estate, a decision being made to pursue contacts and the support of the World Monuments Fund and the World Heritage Fund - as well as UNESCO and IUCN.
The first meeting of the Natural Resources Consultative Forum took place in 2005. The NRCF was supported by the Zambia Government/Danida Natural Resource Management (NRM) Component. With Phase 1 of the NRCF now completed – and the original second phase aborted; what is required is for a revised Phase 2 project to commence i.e. the attainment of a fully operational state having the main development objective within the NRM component of improving rural livelihoods and biodiversity conservation, but being guided by the National Policy on Environment. This is now taking place, further financial support from Danida being shortly forthcoming.
NRCF was envisaged as a neutral platform for stakeholder participation in the management of natural resources, particularly policy formulation. The NRCF is member driven, and promotes the transfer of technical information within the sector. The deliveries of the NRCF are advisory notes encapsulating stakeholder issues and concerns, addressed to the MTENR Permanent Secretary. Issues discussed by the NRCF, many of them of a cross-cutting nature, includes all the relevant agencies and sectors that have a bearing on the functioning of MTENR and its core responsibilities to both Government, the legislature and the nation as a whole. The development objective of NRCF was to provide national policy goals – within a supporting technical framework, on the sustainable use and conservation of Zambia’s natural resources, with the immediate objective being to provide an organization able to deliver such an objective. However the production of the National Policy on Environment, the final draft of which was produced in May 2005, has already provided the national policy goals – albeit, correctly, of a more holistic nature.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
UNESCO at Vilnius July 2006
UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL
ORGANIZATION
CONVENTION CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF THE WORLD
CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE
WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Thirtieth Session
Vilnius, Lithuania
8-16 July 2006
Strongly encourages the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in
collaboration with States Parties and other relevant partners to develop proposals for the
implementation of pilot projects at specific World Heritage properties especially in
developing countries, with a balance between natural and cultural properties as well as
appropriate regional proposals, with the objective of developing best practices for
implementing this Strategy including preventive actions, corrective actions and sharing
knowledge, and recommends to the international donor community to support the
implementation of such pilot projects;
Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls (Zambia / Zimbabwe) (N 509)
Decision 30 COM 7B.8
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7B, 1.
2. Notes with concern that the recommendations of the 2002 bi-lateral workshop have not
been implemented;
3. Regrets that the integrity of the World Heritage property remains threatened by
uncontrolled urban development, pollution and unplanned tourism development;
Urges both States Parties to urgently follow-up on the recommendations of the 2002 bilateral workshop and in particular the preparation and implementation of an effective
joint management framework to address the ongoing threats; and requests the States
Parties to set a firm schedule for their follow-up;
4. Also requests both States Parties to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN mission
to assess the state of conservation and the factors affecting the Outstanding Universal
Value of the property and progress made in implementing the recommendations of the
2002 bi-lateral workshop;
5. Further requests both States Parties to provide the World Heritage Centre before 1
February 2007 with reports on the state of conservation of the property and progress
made in implementing an effective joint management framework and other
recommendations of the 2002 bi-lateral workshop for examination by the Committee at
its 31st session in 2007.
ORGANIZATION
CONVENTION CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF THE WORLD
CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE
WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Thirtieth Session
Vilnius, Lithuania
8-16 July 2006
Strongly encourages the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in
collaboration with States Parties and other relevant partners to develop proposals for the
implementation of pilot projects at specific World Heritage properties especially in
developing countries, with a balance between natural and cultural properties as well as
appropriate regional proposals, with the objective of developing best practices for
implementing this Strategy including preventive actions, corrective actions and sharing
knowledge, and recommends to the international donor community to support the
implementation of such pilot projects;
Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls (Zambia / Zimbabwe) (N 509)
Decision 30 COM 7B.8
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7B, 1.
2. Notes with concern that the recommendations of the 2002 bi-lateral workshop have not
been implemented;
3. Regrets that the integrity of the World Heritage property remains threatened by
uncontrolled urban development, pollution and unplanned tourism development;
Urges both States Parties to urgently follow-up on the recommendations of the 2002 bilateral workshop and in particular the preparation and implementation of an effective
joint management framework to address the ongoing threats; and requests the States
Parties to set a firm schedule for their follow-up;
4. Also requests both States Parties to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN mission
to assess the state of conservation and the factors affecting the Outstanding Universal
Value of the property and progress made in implementing the recommendations of the
2002 bi-lateral workshop;
5. Further requests both States Parties to provide the World Heritage Centre before 1
February 2007 with reports on the state of conservation of the property and progress
made in implementing an effective joint management framework and other
recommendations of the 2002 bi-lateral workshop for examination by the Committee at
its 31st session in 2007.
Zimbabwe: Don't Turn Victoria Falls Into Concrete Jungle
The Herald (Harare)
OPINION
January 24, 2007
Posted to the web January 24, 2007
Harare
THE Victoria Falls is Southern Africa's top tourist destination and there needs to be development near the falls to ensure that tourists are adequately catered for. But it must be emphasised that the day when the whole Falls area becomes a concrete jungle, and where nature takes a back seat to buildings and roads, the tourists will stop coming. After all, they have enough concrete jungles in their home countries, which explains why they travel thousands of kilometres for a glimpse of nature. Let us not forget that the Falls also lie on an international boundary. This means there will always be an element of rivalry between the two countries to see how they can get a fair share, or a little bit more than their neighbour when it comes to tourism dollars. No wonder the experts in both Zimbabwe and Zambia pressed so hard for the Falls to be registered as a World Heritage Site with Unesco.
Once that designation was won, the two countries would be forced to co-operate to retain the status. It is sad that since the day Zimbabwe and Zambia signed up with Unesco, the standards laid down and the requirements for maintaining the status have been ignored on both sides, or at least been very laxly enforced.
A Unesco team has returned, and neither country's planners have escaped the acid pen of the international experts. Of even greater concern was the placing on the back burner of a joint plan. Everyone agreed it was a good idea, everyone agreed it was vital, but no one actually seems to have started drawing it up. Now both countries have six months to do this. It will not be that difficult.
Everyone knows that development close to the Falls now has to be banned and that as much as possible has to be done to the south of Victoria Falls town on the Zimbabwe side and north of Livingstone on the Zambian side. This is what the two national plans already in existence already infer, and all that is really required is amalgamating them. In other words, the area between the existing zones of development must be left alone. At the same time there is need to create clearly demarcated zones of development so as to reduce the burden on the Falls.
Visitors coming to the Falls area can, after all, only spend a limited amount of time gazing at millions of litres of water cascading over a cliff. They want to round off their holiday with game viewing, fishing, boating, whitewater rafting, and having fun. There is no need for much of this activity to be done within sight or even sound of the Falls. Correctly planned, new development can dramatically increase tourism revenue while reducing human pressure on the area near the Falls. But a far larger area needs to be incorporated into the plans for this to be possible.
Both Zambia and Zimbabwe are aware of what is required of them and have both already started applying the brakes. Zimbabwe has suspended all development plans for some islands and Zambia has told a major hotel group that they have to dramatically reduce and modify plans for a new mega hotel. What is now required is a joint team of professionals to put together a sustainable development plan, one that can be extended and modified as time goes on. This plan will formalise and harmonise the existing national plans. It will also help identify which areas can be developed for the benefit of the tourism industry along the common border. Most importantly, the plan should ensure that the great falls remain one of the seven natural wonders of the world, rather than come to look like something in Las Vegas.
OPINION
January 24, 2007
Posted to the web January 24, 2007
Harare
THE Victoria Falls is Southern Africa's top tourist destination and there needs to be development near the falls to ensure that tourists are adequately catered for. But it must be emphasised that the day when the whole Falls area becomes a concrete jungle, and where nature takes a back seat to buildings and roads, the tourists will stop coming. After all, they have enough concrete jungles in their home countries, which explains why they travel thousands of kilometres for a glimpse of nature. Let us not forget that the Falls also lie on an international boundary. This means there will always be an element of rivalry between the two countries to see how they can get a fair share, or a little bit more than their neighbour when it comes to tourism dollars. No wonder the experts in both Zimbabwe and Zambia pressed so hard for the Falls to be registered as a World Heritage Site with Unesco.
Once that designation was won, the two countries would be forced to co-operate to retain the status. It is sad that since the day Zimbabwe and Zambia signed up with Unesco, the standards laid down and the requirements for maintaining the status have been ignored on both sides, or at least been very laxly enforced.
A Unesco team has returned, and neither country's planners have escaped the acid pen of the international experts. Of even greater concern was the placing on the back burner of a joint plan. Everyone agreed it was a good idea, everyone agreed it was vital, but no one actually seems to have started drawing it up. Now both countries have six months to do this. It will not be that difficult.
Everyone knows that development close to the Falls now has to be banned and that as much as possible has to be done to the south of Victoria Falls town on the Zimbabwe side and north of Livingstone on the Zambian side. This is what the two national plans already in existence already infer, and all that is really required is amalgamating them. In other words, the area between the existing zones of development must be left alone. At the same time there is need to create clearly demarcated zones of development so as to reduce the burden on the Falls.
Visitors coming to the Falls area can, after all, only spend a limited amount of time gazing at millions of litres of water cascading over a cliff. They want to round off their holiday with game viewing, fishing, boating, whitewater rafting, and having fun. There is no need for much of this activity to be done within sight or even sound of the Falls. Correctly planned, new development can dramatically increase tourism revenue while reducing human pressure on the area near the Falls. But a far larger area needs to be incorporated into the plans for this to be possible.
Both Zambia and Zimbabwe are aware of what is required of them and have both already started applying the brakes. Zimbabwe has suspended all development plans for some islands and Zambia has told a major hotel group that they have to dramatically reduce and modify plans for a new mega hotel. What is now required is a joint team of professionals to put together a sustainable development plan, one that can be extended and modified as time goes on. This plan will formalise and harmonise the existing national plans. It will also help identify which areas can be developed for the benefit of the tourism industry along the common border. Most importantly, the plan should ensure that the great falls remain one of the seven natural wonders of the world, rather than come to look like something in Las Vegas.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Moratorium spreads to Zim side...
The Herald (Harare)
January 23, 2007
Posted to the web January 23, 2007
Harare
ALL developments near the Victoria Falls have been frozen following international representations that both Zimbabwe and Zambia were flouting international standards.
Victoria Falls came under the spotlight following massive developments in Zambia and the proposed upgrading of several islands on the Zimbabwean side. In 2002 the two countries, who share the Falls, agreed to work together in formulating an integrated plan on how they planned to use the land around the Falls, a World Heritage Site.
"This plan was supposed to have been in place before Zambia had started building a hot air balloon base and a 500-bed lodge. We were also expected to monitor all activities on our side and some developments were overlooked," director-general for the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Dr Morris Mtsambiwa told a media forum at the weekend. He said reports of mismanagement of the falls had led the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to send a team to investigate operations around Victoria Falls. "We were very much concerned because this meant that the tourist attraction could be de-listed from its World Heritage status. This would be a shame to us because we presented this area as deserving such a status. "To try and regain that status, if it happens that we lose it, would actually be almost impossible," Dr Mtsambiwa said. He said the team assessed the situation on the Zimbabwean side where the falls are more spectacular and made several recommendations, which included putting a moratorium on the proposed developments on the islands.
On visiting Zambia the team found a wide range of developments including a colossal lodge, whose construction Zimbabwe had not consented to. Dr Mtsambiwa said the two countries were given an ultimatum to come up with an integrated plan by June this year.
Zimbabwe, which still has to aggressively market this premier tourist destination, has resisted plans by prospective investors to build exclusive hotels opting to preserve the fragile ecosystem around the falls. Despite this, Victoria Falls still attracts more tourists than the downstream Lake Kariba, Mana Pools and Great Zimbabwe.
Victoria Falls, popularly known as "Mosi-wa-Tunya" (the smoke that thunders) in the local vernacular, is often marketed by regional broadcasting channels, including the Tourism and Trade Channel in South Africa and various other foreign-owned websites, at Zimbabwe's expense.
January 23, 2007
Posted to the web January 23, 2007
Harare
ALL developments near the Victoria Falls have been frozen following international representations that both Zimbabwe and Zambia were flouting international standards.
Victoria Falls came under the spotlight following massive developments in Zambia and the proposed upgrading of several islands on the Zimbabwean side. In 2002 the two countries, who share the Falls, agreed to work together in formulating an integrated plan on how they planned to use the land around the Falls, a World Heritage Site.
"This plan was supposed to have been in place before Zambia had started building a hot air balloon base and a 500-bed lodge. We were also expected to monitor all activities on our side and some developments were overlooked," director-general for the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Dr Morris Mtsambiwa told a media forum at the weekend. He said reports of mismanagement of the falls had led the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to send a team to investigate operations around Victoria Falls. "We were very much concerned because this meant that the tourist attraction could be de-listed from its World Heritage status. This would be a shame to us because we presented this area as deserving such a status. "To try and regain that status, if it happens that we lose it, would actually be almost impossible," Dr Mtsambiwa said. He said the team assessed the situation on the Zimbabwean side where the falls are more spectacular and made several recommendations, which included putting a moratorium on the proposed developments on the islands.
On visiting Zambia the team found a wide range of developments including a colossal lodge, whose construction Zimbabwe had not consented to. Dr Mtsambiwa said the two countries were given an ultimatum to come up with an integrated plan by June this year.
Zimbabwe, which still has to aggressively market this premier tourist destination, has resisted plans by prospective investors to build exclusive hotels opting to preserve the fragile ecosystem around the falls. Despite this, Victoria Falls still attracts more tourists than the downstream Lake Kariba, Mana Pools and Great Zimbabwe.
Victoria Falls, popularly known as "Mosi-wa-Tunya" (the smoke that thunders) in the local vernacular, is often marketed by regional broadcasting channels, including the Tourism and Trade Channel in South Africa and various other foreign-owned websites, at Zimbabwe's expense.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
The way forward for the VF WHS...
Now that a moratorium has been placed on all new developments in the Mosi oa Tunya NP - including Legacy Holdings' hotel plans, and that Government has promised to revisit the IUCN plan together with all stakeholders starting in February 2007, it was time to plan the future management of the National Park, but also of the world heritage site as a whole. IUCN is also due to make its report soon on the way forward.
As part of the strategy to move towards a management trust made up of all stakeholders, contact was made with the World Mounuments Foundation (http://wmf.org/) and the Global Heritage Fund, (http://www.globalheritagefund.org/), both of which serve to preserve sites of importance to mankind.
An application has been made to have the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site listed on the 2008 World Monuments Watch of the 100 most endangered sites, and to the Global Heritage Fund for financial support.
As part of the strategy to move towards a management trust made up of all stakeholders, contact was made with the World Mounuments Foundation (http://wmf.org/) and the Global Heritage Fund, (http://www.globalheritagefund.org/), both of which serve to preserve sites of importance to mankind.
An application has been made to have the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site listed on the 2008 World Monuments Watch of the 100 most endangered sites, and to the Global Heritage Fund for financial support.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
National Geographic Magazine, January 2007...
Showdown at the Victoria Falls
Just before the Zambezi River makes its famous plunge, lies a small, undeveloped stretch of Zambia's Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. It's a crucial elephant crossing and the sole riverfront spot in the park that people can enjoy without paying a fee. South African developer, Legacy Holdings Zambia, with the support of the Zambia Wildlife Authority, has different plans for the site: two hotels, 400 villas, and a golf course. In a nod to wildlife, the plans include an elephant right-of-way flanking the Maramba River. Critics find this laughable. "Elephant corridors have never worked anywhere," says conservationist, Mike Musgrave.
Since the proposal became public last summer, Zambians ranging from local government offficials to a bike-tour guide have rallied in opposition. Area residents welcome development, just not so close to the falls that it jeopardises the park's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They hope grassroots pressure and a legal challenge will save the park's last riverfront open space.
"Even 30 years ago Victoria Falls was overdeveloped," says Ian Manning, a former park warden. "This would be a disaster."
Just before the Zambezi River makes its famous plunge, lies a small, undeveloped stretch of Zambia's Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. It's a crucial elephant crossing and the sole riverfront spot in the park that people can enjoy without paying a fee. South African developer, Legacy Holdings Zambia, with the support of the Zambia Wildlife Authority, has different plans for the site: two hotels, 400 villas, and a golf course. In a nod to wildlife, the plans include an elephant right-of-way flanking the Maramba River. Critics find this laughable. "Elephant corridors have never worked anywhere," says conservationist, Mike Musgrave.
Since the proposal became public last summer, Zambians ranging from local government offficials to a bike-tour guide have rallied in opposition. Area residents welcome development, just not so close to the falls that it jeopardises the park's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They hope grassroots pressure and a legal challenge will save the park's last riverfront open space.
"Even 30 years ago Victoria Falls was overdeveloped," says Ian Manning, a former park warden. "This would be a disaster."
Friday, January 12, 2007
Thursday, January 11, 2007
MORATORIUM ON DEVELOPMENTS IN MOSI OA TUNYA NP …
The Chairman of the Zambia Wildlife Authority Board, Mr Walusiku Lisulo, confirmed on 11 January 2007 at a meeting with steering committee members of the Natural Resources Consultative Forum of Zambia, that he had directed ZAWA to impose a moratorium on all planned developments in the Mosi oa Tunya National Park until a broad-based stakeholder review of the World Conservation Union’s (IUCN) report, compiled in 1996: 'Strategic Environmental Assessment of Development Around Victoria Falls' was carried out, and a strategic plan agreed to.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Legacy to redesign L/stone hotel project
By Times of Zambia Reporter
LEGACY Holdings Zambia will redesign the Livingstone hotel project to conform to the allocated land on the northern part of the Maramba river.
A board meeting has been scheduled for this month to revise the initial US$260 million plan after which a new detailed design and implementation roadmap would be issued.
Legacy Holdings Zambia chairman, Jacob Sikazwe announced this in a statement released in Lusaka yesterday.
This follows the decision by Government to uphold a decision by the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) not to allow the project to go ahead as planned due to environmental concerns.
The ECZ allowed Legacy Holdings to construct only two hotels on the northern part of the Maramba river and not the proposed southern part.
The ECZ said the southern part of the river was an ecologically sensitive area that supported wildlife. It was also a major animal corridor linking the park to wildlife areas in Botswana and Zimbabwe which could not be disturbed.
The ECZ rejected the construction of a golf course and 450 villas at the same site.
Mr Sikazwe said the Government decision based on ECZ recommendation would have a significant impact on the current project design, business plan and roadmap.
“Not withstanding this decision, Legacy Holdings wishes to thank the Government for the manner the project has been handled,” he said.
The group re-affirmed its commitment to the development of an eco-friendly worldclass resort in Livingstone.
He was confident that once the revised project had been formulated, Livingstone will still have a worldclass resort that would enable Zambia compete with other worldclass resorts.
The project will create jobs, alleviate poverty and make Zambia a tourism destination of choice.
LEGACY Holdings Zambia will redesign the Livingstone hotel project to conform to the allocated land on the northern part of the Maramba river.
A board meeting has been scheduled for this month to revise the initial US$260 million plan after which a new detailed design and implementation roadmap would be issued.
Legacy Holdings Zambia chairman, Jacob Sikazwe announced this in a statement released in Lusaka yesterday.
This follows the decision by Government to uphold a decision by the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) not to allow the project to go ahead as planned due to environmental concerns.
The ECZ allowed Legacy Holdings to construct only two hotels on the northern part of the Maramba river and not the proposed southern part.
The ECZ said the southern part of the river was an ecologically sensitive area that supported wildlife. It was also a major animal corridor linking the park to wildlife areas in Botswana and Zimbabwe which could not be disturbed.
The ECZ rejected the construction of a golf course and 450 villas at the same site.
Mr Sikazwe said the Government decision based on ECZ recommendation would have a significant impact on the current project design, business plan and roadmap.
“Not withstanding this decision, Legacy Holdings wishes to thank the Government for the manner the project has been handled,” he said.
The group re-affirmed its commitment to the development of an eco-friendly worldclass resort in Livingstone.
He was confident that once the revised project had been formulated, Livingstone will still have a worldclass resort that would enable Zambia compete with other worldclass resorts.
The project will create jobs, alleviate poverty and make Zambia a tourism destination of choice.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Victoria Falls 'at risk', UN warns
World Heritage status may be revoked as Zimbabwe and Zambia compete for tourist income
By Christopher Thompson
Published: 07 January 2007
Victoria Falls, one of the world's greatest natural wonders, may cease to be a World Heritage Site as a result of the chaos in Zimbabwe.
Known locally as Mosi oa Tunya, or "the smoke that thunders", the falls are more than a mile wide and 420ft high. They have been a tourist hotspot since 1905, but Unesco is now considering listing the site as "endangered" because of mismanagement that has allowed the once prosperous resort to deteriorate.
Furthermore, over-zealous Zambian developers are proposing to build 500 chalets in a national park overlooking the falls, prompting warnings that the plan could lead Unesco to remove the site'sWorld Heritage status immediately.
Control of the Victoria Falls, named by the explorer David Livingstone in 1855, is at the centre of a turf war between two government bodies - the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management - both fighting over rights to manage one of the country's last remaining sources of valuable tourist revenue as hyperinflation touches 1,100 per cent.
The Zambezi river, which plunges over the falls, forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Most Western tourists used to stay on the Zimbabwean side, attracted by top-class facilities such as the Victoria Falls and Elephant Hills hotels, but the surrounding decay, and safety fears after the often violent land seizures initiated by President Robert Mugabe, have seen tourist revenues plunge by more than 70 per cent to $98m (£51m) last year from $340m in 1999, before land reforms started.
Unesco is also alarmed by Zambia's efforts to benefit from Zimbabwe's disarray. In a reversal of the traditional position, most foreign visitors now approach the falls from the Zambian side, even though the view is less spectacular. The tourism industry in Zambia is booming, with the number of overseas arrivals doubling between 2003 and 2005, bringing the country much-needed income, and new hotels are springing up near the Zambian town of Livingstone.
By Christopher Thompson
Published: 07 January 2007
Victoria Falls, one of the world's greatest natural wonders, may cease to be a World Heritage Site as a result of the chaos in Zimbabwe.
Known locally as Mosi oa Tunya, or "the smoke that thunders", the falls are more than a mile wide and 420ft high. They have been a tourist hotspot since 1905, but Unesco is now considering listing the site as "endangered" because of mismanagement that has allowed the once prosperous resort to deteriorate.
Furthermore, over-zealous Zambian developers are proposing to build 500 chalets in a national park overlooking the falls, prompting warnings that the plan could lead Unesco to remove the site'sWorld Heritage status immediately.
Control of the Victoria Falls, named by the explorer David Livingstone in 1855, is at the centre of a turf war between two government bodies - the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management - both fighting over rights to manage one of the country's last remaining sources of valuable tourist revenue as hyperinflation touches 1,100 per cent.
The Zambezi river, which plunges over the falls, forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Most Western tourists used to stay on the Zimbabwean side, attracted by top-class facilities such as the Victoria Falls and Elephant Hills hotels, but the surrounding decay, and safety fears after the often violent land seizures initiated by President Robert Mugabe, have seen tourist revenues plunge by more than 70 per cent to $98m (£51m) last year from $340m in 1999, before land reforms started.
Unesco is also alarmed by Zambia's efforts to benefit from Zimbabwe's disarray. In a reversal of the traditional position, most foreign visitors now approach the falls from the Zambian side, even though the view is less spectacular. The tourism industry in Zambia is booming, with the number of overseas arrivals doubling between 2003 and 2005, bringing the country much-needed income, and new hotels are springing up near the Zambian town of Livingstone.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Friday, January 05, 2007
THE MULUNGUSHI CONSERVATION TRUCE
Zambia, 3 January 2007.
A truce between the hunting and conservation community of Zambia – represented by the Chairmen of Community Resource Boards and hunting safari concessionaires, and Government, was brokered on 3 January 2007 by the Minister of Tourism, Environment & Natural Resources at the Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka, Zambia. The Director General of the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) admitted past mistakes made by the organization and called for future co-operation from the private sector, while the Minister stated that ZAWA would abide by the law in future but requested that attacks on the Government on the internet should cease, that factional disagreements within the hunting industry should should also cease, saying that the doors of ZAWA and the Minister were now open to solve the problems besetting the sector. The request was agreed to, the Minister being asked to uphold the decision made by the Environmental Council of Zambia to disallow the building of a golf estate in the Mosi oa Tunya National Park – part of the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site.
A truce between the hunting and conservation community of Zambia – represented by the Chairmen of Community Resource Boards and hunting safari concessionaires, and Government, was brokered on 3 January 2007 by the Minister of Tourism, Environment & Natural Resources at the Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka, Zambia. The Director General of the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) admitted past mistakes made by the organization and called for future co-operation from the private sector, while the Minister stated that ZAWA would abide by the law in future but requested that attacks on the Government on the internet should cease, that factional disagreements within the hunting industry should should also cease, saying that the doors of ZAWA and the Minister were now open to solve the problems besetting the sector. The request was agreed to, the Minister being asked to uphold the decision made by the Environmental Council of Zambia to disallow the building of a golf estate in the Mosi oa Tunya National Park – part of the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site.
Monday, January 01, 2007
The silent African Wildlife Foundation and its Mukuni Trust...
The continued silence of the Mukuni Trust in Livingstone over the fervent public support given by its patron, Chief Mukuni, to a full Legacy development in the Mosi oa Tunya NP is alarming. And why do we hear nothing from the trust's creator, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) ? The Park falls within the AWFs Kazangula Heartlands programme, but not a word from them, not even a reply from their HQ in Washington.
Mukuni and Legacy Holdings Zambia have been lobbying Government to have the full scheme given the green light. The Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Kabinga Pande, recently put out a statement saying that he would make a final decision on the Legacy scheme this week. One must surmise from this that the lobbying for the golfing estate in the Park has had some affect; and that the Environmental Council's decision could be overturned. Let us hope that sense will prevail.
Mukuni and Legacy Holdings Zambia have been lobbying Government to have the full scheme given the green light. The Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Kabinga Pande, recently put out a statement saying that he would make a final decision on the Legacy scheme this week. One must surmise from this that the lobbying for the golfing estate in the Park has had some affect; and that the Environmental Council's decision could be overturned. Let us hope that sense will prevail.
Chief Mukuni supports Legacy Holdings
By WALLEN SIMWAKA
CHIEF Mukuni of the Toka-Leya people says he would continue to campaign for the full development of the Legacy Holdings project in the Mosi-o-Tunya National Park.
Chief Mukuni said tourism was a lifeline for the people in his chiefdom.
Speaking in an interview at his palace, Chief Mukuni said although the Environmental Council of Zambia had rejected part of the project, the people insist on full development as proposed by promoters.
He said it would be unfair to Legacy Holdings if they did not go ahead with their project.
He said the growth of tourism in Livingstone would improve many lives.
"To us the Legacy Holdings project is an equivalent of Lumwana mine in Solwezi. Our friends in other places have benefited from the mining investment and you cannot take tourism away from us,” Chief Mukuni said.
“The people in the chiefdom are determined to see the Legacy Holdings project coming to fruition.
He explained that tourism remained the only source of empowerment in his chiefdom and he would therefore continue to encourage investors to expand the industry.
"Some of my subjects have now become homeowners and are driving because of tourism. This is not fiction and we want to see more investment in tourism. We have seen the benefits of tourism in the chiefdom and we want more," the chief said.
The ECZ has rejected the Legacy Holdings proposed construction of an 18-hole golf course, a country club and 450 villas in the national park but allowed the construction of the two hotels.
CHIEF Mukuni of the Toka-Leya people says he would continue to campaign for the full development of the Legacy Holdings project in the Mosi-o-Tunya National Park.
Chief Mukuni said tourism was a lifeline for the people in his chiefdom.
Speaking in an interview at his palace, Chief Mukuni said although the Environmental Council of Zambia had rejected part of the project, the people insist on full development as proposed by promoters.
He said it would be unfair to Legacy Holdings if they did not go ahead with their project.
He said the growth of tourism in Livingstone would improve many lives.
"To us the Legacy Holdings project is an equivalent of Lumwana mine in Solwezi. Our friends in other places have benefited from the mining investment and you cannot take tourism away from us,” Chief Mukuni said.
“The people in the chiefdom are determined to see the Legacy Holdings project coming to fruition.
He explained that tourism remained the only source of empowerment in his chiefdom and he would therefore continue to encourage investors to expand the industry.
"Some of my subjects have now become homeowners and are driving because of tourism. This is not fiction and we want to see more investment in tourism. We have seen the benefits of tourism in the chiefdom and we want more," the chief said.
The ECZ has rejected the Legacy Holdings proposed construction of an 18-hole golf course, a country club and 450 villas in the national park but allowed the construction of the two hotels.
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