DAY FIVE
STRATEGIC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN AND BUDGET
The first half of day five was spent in group discussions to come up with a strategic investment management action plan and budget. This included the following:
For each problem highlighted on Day 3, the groups had to come up with:
- Objective
- Action
- Activities
- Strategy/How the activities are to be done
- Materials and experts
- Location of activities
- Organisations involved
- Time frame
- Priority rating
- Estimated cost
- Possible sources of funding
- Possible constraints
As this information is very extensive, only the Problem, Objective, Action and Activities have been included in the report below. Not that the list is not complete as the reporter was unable to take complete notes on all the group reports.
NATURAL RESOURCES
1. Problem: High rate of road kills
Objective: To reduce road kills to a minimum
Actions: Introduce speed control measures
Activities:
i) Increase signage within the park and approaching the gates on main roads – including barrier signs, slow down signs, speed limit signs and animal warning signs.
ii) Introduced Speed traps on main roads
iii) Clear vegetation, particularly undergrowth along sides of main roads for clear view by motorists
2. Problem: Inbreeding
Objective: Control levels of inbreeding
Action: Reintroduce animal species that have very low numbers or show signs of inbreeding.
Activities:
i) identify species which are inbred by carrying out research (genetical, population studies, physical assessment, literature research)
ii) Introduce new stock of animal species which are found to be inbred or in very low numbers
3. Problem: Littering
Objective: To reduce littering in the park to minimal levels
Action: To initiate a waste management programme
Activities:
i) Construct waste disposal sites in neighbouring residential areas in conjunction with Livingstone City Council.
ii) Initiate awareness campaigns within residential areas and with transport operators.
4. Problem: Habitat destruction
Objective: To reduce habitat destruction to minimal levels
Actions: i) Review international conventions on elephant culling and carry out research
ii) Control and monitor tourism development and human activity in the park.
Activities:
i) Make proposals on elephant control to international bodies
ii) Collaborate with neighbouring countries to conduct research on elephant movement and the possibility of creating transfrontier parks
iii) Constant supervision and monitoring of construction works
iv) Increase patrols
5. Problem: Bush fires
Objective: To prevent the occurrence of bush fires in the park
Action: Put in place and implement a fire management plan
Activities:
i) Create fire breaks along park boundaries
ii) Carry out awareness campaigns in communities on the effects of bush fires
iii) Constantly monitor fire outbreaks by satellite
iv) Recruit more staff for fire patrols
v) Train staff in fire management and fire fighting
vi) Carry out regular fire patrols
vii) Acquire fire fighting equipment
6. Problem: Soil Erosion
Objective: To restore eroded areas and prevent further soil erosion
Action: Put in place soil erosion control measures
Activities:
i) Re-vegetate eroded and cleared areas
ii) Fill in gullies with stones using gabion wires and scour checks where necessary
iii) Improve drainage system along roads
7. Problem: Shortage for food for grazers in parts of the park.
Objective: Improve food supply
Action: Put in place and implement a programme to improve grass and herb production.
Activities:
i) Expand irrigation system and improve water distribution
ii) Carry out research on soil fertility, plant and animal productivity, animal carrying capacity and health of plant and animal populations and biodiversity of plants and animals
iii) Improve movement of animals throughout the whole park.
8. Problem: Noise Pollution
Objective: Reduce noise levels to a minimal level
Action: Put in place a noise pollution control programme
Activities:
i) Revise and implement aviation control measures
ii) Implement boating control measures
iii) Frequently monitor park users for noise levels
iv) Revise licensing system for plane, helicopter and boat licenses
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS
1. Problem: Poor Coordination between stakeholders
Objective: To introduce a joint management programme for stakeholders
Action: Establish stakeholder consultative committees
Activities:
i) Identify all focal persons in interest groups in sustainable management
ii) Draw up terms of reference for consultative committees
2. Problem: Inadequate training and low staffing levels
Objective: To improve recruitment and manpower development
Action: i) Carry out training needs assessment
ii) Review existing staff structure
Activities:
i) Identify appropriate courses and training institutes
ii) Hire trained staff
3. Problem: Absence of ratified General Management Plan, leading to unplanned development in the park.
Objective: Designate development zones
Action: Adequate consultation with stakeholders
Activities:
i) Hold meetings with stakeholders
ii) Develop a General Management Plan
4. Problem: Poor road infrastructure in the park
Objective: Improvement of road infrastructure
Action: Upgrade existing road infrastructure
COMMENTS
1. Some participants expressed concern at the poor turnout of stakeholders at the workshop, particularly from the private sector. It was explained that at least three tour operators had been invited, but none had turned up.
2. There was a suggestion that the Ministry of Tourism write to the tour operators about this – which implied a lack of interest by the tour operators in the management and problems of the park.
3. A participant was concerned about the issue of animals straying into human settlements.
VISITOR USE AND EXPERIENCE
1. Problem: Visitor Expectations not fully met
Action: Provide adequate security and safety measures
Activities:
- patrols
- warning signs
- patrol boats
- life jackets
- first aid equipment
- fire extinguishers
- police post in the park
2. Problem: Stiff competition
3. Problem: Local Access
4. Problem: Park not aggressively advertised
Action: Develop aggressive marketing strategy
5. Problem: Littering
Activities:
i) Provide waste bins
ii) Litter collection
iii) Sensitise communities
6. Unfriendly Customer Care Services
Objective: Create friendly atmosphere
LOCAL COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT
1. Problem: Local Community not involved in decision making and benefit sharing
Activities:
i) Outreach programme
ii) Sensitisation
iii) Stakeholder meetings
iv) Educational materials
v) Sponsoring traditional ceremonies
2. Problem: Lack of access by community for firewood, crafts and grazing
Activities:
i) Create a buffer zone
ii) Shift electric fence inwards in some places
iii) Relocate plots which are within the park boundary
iv) Sensitisation
v) Stakeholder meetings
3. Problem: Human – wildlife conflict
Activities:
i) erect electric fence round whole park
ii) erect electric and chilli fences around settlements and farms
iii) lobby for elephant hunting quota
4. Problem: Lack of alternative watering points for domesticated animals outside the park during the dry season.
Activities:
i) sink boreholes
ii) build dams
iii) carry out research to identify appropriate sites for the above activities
5. Problem: Lack of alternative routes from Mukuni Village to town
Activities:
i) create bypass road from Mukuni Village to Libuyu township
COMMENTS
1. Fencing of the park is a big development and should have required an EIA.
HERITAGE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
1. Problem: Crumbling walls of the pit in the field museum (due to the effects of a fire)
Activities: Chemical treatment of the walls by drilling
2. Problem: High erosion of in-situ cultural heritage sites
Activities:
i) Erect erosion barriers around affected sites
ii) Re-vegetation of eroded areas
3. Problem: Vandalism of sites by humans (especially removal of plaques)
Activities:
i) sensitisation
ii) repair and maintenance
4. Problem: Destruction of sites by wildlife (particularly the Old Drift Cemetery)
Activities:
i) chilli fencing around sites
ii) re-building and restoration
iii) painting built-up sites with environmentally friendly colours or no paint at all
5. Problem: Conflicting legislation in the area
Activities:
i) Harmonise conflicting legislation
ii) Stakeholder collaboration – quarterly consultative meetings with all stakeholders
6. Problem: Lack of financial benefit to the local community from heritage sites
Activities:
i) put in place resource-sharing modalities
ii) engage communities to draw up memorandums of understanding on resource utilisation
iii) meetings with local authorities
iv) review legislation
7. Problem: Lack of interpretation and publicity of heritage sites
Activities:
i) Urge NHCC to provide more information about the sites in the park
ii) Provide required data and interpretation
iii) Erect information billboards
iv) Replace vandalised plates
v) Produce brochures
COMMENTS
1. Are chilli fences allowed in the park? ZAWA would have to decide. There was a proposal to use sharp stones or spikes in the ground, not chilli fences, although this had not worked around the Sun International hotels.
2. It was emphasised that the original form of the graves should be preserved as much as possible when carrying out restoration activities.
3. A question was raised as to what measures were being put in place to protect graves near the river which may flood them. There were no measures identified.
4. It was pointed out that the problem of crumbling walls of the pit in the field museum was being added to by water seepage from the ZESCO power station.
5. There was a proposal to improve the design and structure of heritage monuments to make them more durable.
6. A request was made that before fencing of the southern part of the park, ZAWA should sensitise Songwe Villagers on the proposal, to prepare them.
7. The issue of encroachment of settlements into the park had been left out by mistake.
8. It was clarified that a Memorandum of Understanding between NHCC and ZAWA was already in place, but the problem seemed to be in its implementation.
9. It was clarified that the current Heritage Act did not allow for local financial benefit.
PRIORITIES
There was some discussion on defining priority levels for the highlighted activities. In the end no agreement was reached about defining priority levels, but the following proposal was made for defining the length of projects:
Short term – up to 2 years
Medium term – up to 5 years
Long term – up to 10 years
It was also agreed that the priority ratings should be revisited every 3 years.
ANOTHER ZONATION PROPOSAL
At the end of the meeting, the second zoning proposal as requested on Day Four was presented to the participants as follows:
SECOND PROPOSAL FOR MOTNP ZONATION
1. Zero Development and Restricted Use Zone
2. Development Zone
3. Natural Preservation Zone
1. ZERO DEVELOPMENT AND RESTRICTED USE ZONE
Location: Victoria Falls, Zambezi River, Islands, Gorges, Maramba River, and a buffer zone of at least 50m along Zambezi and Maramba Rivers and more along the Gorges
Justification: These are exceptional resource values which form the sole of the park, on which the purpose is based, and should be strictly protected at all costs
Acceptable Use: Zero development, construction, destruction, strictly regulated tourists activities such as boating, rafting, etc.
2. DEVELOPMENT ZONE
Location: SWSC Water Intake Plant to David Livingstone Lodge; Sun Hotel complex, and ZESCO Power Station.
Justification: These are already built up, and some of the developments existed long before the creation of the park, and cannot now be removed.
Acceptable Use: Limited to existing developments, with strict regulations.
3. NATURAL PRESERVATION ZONE
Location: The remainder of the park.
Justification: If the natural resources of the park are destroyed by too much development, it will have no value left and might as well be degazetted.
Visitor use: Few provisions of accommodation, otherwise game drives, scenic walks and drives, bird viewing, picnics.
Acceptable Use: Limited development “spots”, with strictly defined size and allowable activities. Rest of area - preserve the “wilderness value/experience” as much as possible, both for conservation of natural resources and for tourist activities. No developments in the World Heritage Site and no more developments along the rivers or gorges, as it is important for these to be preserved for conservation and for wilderness value for tourist and community activities.
Justification for including area on each side of Maramba River up to the Falls in Natural Preservation Zone:
1. It is the only tributary into the Zambezi within the park, and therefore any nearby activities or developments will affect the Zambezi River and the Falls
2. It is close to the Falls, which is the major exceptional resource of the park, and should be protected as much as possible and kept natural.
3. The river banks of both rivers are very important for wildlife, as well as for tourist and community activities, and therefore should be kept undeveloped to that all can benefit from them.
4. This part of the park is the narrowest portion of the park, and if overgrazing and destruction by animals in the central part is to be avoided, the animals have to be allowed to pass into the southern part along this narrow corridor. If it is developed this will not be possible.
5. It is one of the important elephant corridors across the river, and should be allowed to remain as such, to avoid more damage in other areas.
Comment: Development of any kind within the park should NOT be allowed to go ahead before this plan is completed and ratified. How can we allow development without a plan?
COMMENTS
1. A participant said that the proposal seemed to be merely an attack on the proposed Legacy development.
2. Another participant said the proposal for a Zero Development zone was not practical.
3. The participant who had presented the proposal explained that the proposed zonation was not an attack on the Legacy development, but concerned all developments in the park, and took into account the most valuable areas, which should be protected for the wildlife, tourists and local people.
4. It transpired that most participants had not had time to read the justification for the proposed zoning, but merely glanced at the map.
5. It was decided that both proposals would be considered in the preparation of the Management Plan.
CLOSING REMARKS
By Senior Chief Mukuni
In his closing remarks Senior Chief Mukuni thanked ZAWA for casting their net wide and inviting even the local community.
He said the local community recognised the National Park and the World Heritage Site.
He said we should “Manage change, do not let change manage you.”
He urged ZAWA to speed up the ratification process.
By Zook Muleya, Facilitator
Mr Muleya said the workshop was a significant milestone for strategic planning.
He said the GMP should be a useful, dynamic document, which should be continuously revised.
APPENDIX
Participants included representatives from the following:
1. Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), HQ
2. ZAWA, Southern Command
3. National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC)
4. Livingstone Museum
5. ZESCO, Victoria Falls Power Station
6. District Forestry Department
7. Victoria Falls Curio Sellers Association
8. Environmental Council of Zambia, Livingstone
9. Dept of Community Development
10. Livingstone City Council
11. Imusho Village
12. District Veterinary Office
13. District Administrative Office, Kazungula
14. Songwe Village
15. Zambia Air Force
16. Southern Water and Sewerage Company
17. Mukuni Chiefdom
18. Musokotwane Chiefdom
19. Sekute Chiefdom
20. Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources
21. Roads Department
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