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
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1 comment:
G'zactly so!
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