TODAY, I join others in continuing to worry about some recent activities involving the environment. The state of ecological systems and the environment greatly affect human life. Our enjoyment of life, indeed, the continuation of life itself, depends on the health of the environment.
From independence, Zambia realised the importance of the environment. Institutions and laws were set up to support and protect the environment. I must say this is a continuous process and there are still many things that need to be done. We need to strengthen our action using various ways, from individual and family level to communities, the nation, the region, and the whole world The effects of abusing or poorly maintaining the environment are felt beyond communities and nations. Action in support of a healthy environment must therefore involve every one, all of us, all over the world. Besides concerns on issues of pollution as happened with water a few days ago on the Copperbelt, we must be involved in tackling various aspects of ecology and environment.
In Zambia, as we came into government at independence, we began to raise the voice of concern on many aspects. Throughout the time of our administration, we were concerned that, because of not looking after our environment properly, there might be problems of rainfall. We were concerned about the problem of poverty driving people towards cutting down many trees in order to produce charcoal. For some time now, this has been the source of income for some. Yet it has great effect on trees and natural life. We were concerned about pollution, such as we have had on the Copperbelt. This concern was about pollution of water and air. We were concerned about the quality of the soil as it was affected by human action. We were also concerned about wildlife, animal life and plant life. In our government, to deal with charcoal and deforestation, we decided to build factories that could produce brikettes. We approached the Japanese officials for assistance. We wanted them to work with us on the production of environmentally supporting briquettes. The idea was for the Japanese programme to eventually establish the briquette producing factories in various parts of Zambia. We would then sell the briquettes in many parts of the country. In this way, we would avoid the destruction of trees for charcoal. This project would also have provided a lot of jobs for people distributing and selling the briquettes. I believe this is still a practical way of helping save our environment.
Many problems have arisen, all over the world as a result of human beings not taking proper care of the ecology and environment. Only a few days ago, there were very strong articles in Zambia's media. The articles referred to strong positions on land being given to a firm called Legacy Holdings Zambia. Legacy Holdings Zambia wants to build hotels and a golf course. The problem has been that the land is being given in Livingstone's Musi O Tunya National Park. The area being considered is part of the United Nation's World Heritage sites. Some points made referred to the importance of Zambia going ahead with the Legacy project as it would give jobs to thou¬sands of people that are currently unemployed. It would increase the number of hotel rooms on the Zambian side of the falls. They say that a lot of money would be earned through increased tourist visitors.
Yes, it is true we need jobs as employment levels are now very low. All sides would value any type of project that brings in employment. We also need income from outside. However, it is important for us to examine the impact of various issues. I was naturally privileged to be first President of Zambia and we were very keen on creating jobs. We wanted our people to meet the basics of life. But, on another hand, we cannot, in any shape or form, start building hotels and other tourist attractions at the expense of the environment.
I understand that one of those urging the construction of the Legacy hotels in the area was a personal friend and colleague of mine. His Royal Highness Senior Chief Mukuni is a man I have great love and respect for. I understand that my senior chief has been supported by ZAWA, the Zambia Wildlife Authority. Again, I have love and respect for some work ZAWA has over the years been involved in. But I appreciate, very strongly indeed, UNESCO's stance on not building in the national park. UNESCO has threatened, should the building proceed, to deregister the site from being a world heritage site. Besides other aspects of wildlife and plants and the general ecological balance of the area, UNESCO and other conservationists have been worried about the effects that the construction of the Legacy project in the national park will have on elephants. When I was in government, for the reasons mentioned by UNESCO and others, we could not give that area for use of such hotels and golf course.
Elephants have used this part as their movement corridor. It is one of their home range areas. We cannot afford to cut that path into two.
I understand that Legacy Zambia was offered, from some few hectares, more space in June 2006. If it was another area, the proj¬ect might be welcome. But this project should not in any way interfere with what elephants have been used to as crossing areas. These elephants, which know no human borders, have been travelling in these areas for ages unknown. It is important not to disturb them.
I remember that when 1 recently went to Livingstone, I was told there had been some con¬flict between elephants and humans. The elephants had been angered by something and were creating problems for human settlements. We should fear that, if the Legacy project is allowed on, disturbance of the Musi O Tunya national park will lead to further conflict involving elephants and wildlife on one hand, and humans on the other hand. We have to avoid this. We have to find ways of living in harmony with natural life.
It was an understandable, argument when supporters of Legacy said that hotel accommodation in Zimbabwe is more devel¬oped than Zambia's. We accept that. But we cannot make progress through greatly disturbing animals and the natural environment. It also counters good tourism development. In fact, as has been pointed out by conservationists, environmentalists, and those, from all walks of life, including business persons, disturbing the national park will lead to the tourists we are trying to bring to actually not come to Zambia. When UNESCO and others campaign, as they have promised, to tourists worldwide against visiting Zambia, Zambia will be isolated and actually lose tourists.
Those supporting the disturbance of elephants and the ecology of that heritage site should note that UNESCO and many others equally strong are capable of doing what they are saying they will do should the Legacy Zambia project continue. They can effectively put Zambian designated tourists away from Zambia. I have no doubt at all that other areas can be found on which we could have Legacy Holdings Zambia establish itself to contribute to developing, through the resort they plan to make, the tourist industry.
Those of us who were privileged to grow up helping to develop tourism and wildlife in a scientific manner and taking care of both wild life and the land will tell my dear reader that there is a great area for human development. But you can develop if only you are able to look after the environment in a way where that environment will look after your wildlife. We therefore must take care of these important points mentioned about the environment.
I was fortunate enough to have worked with committed wildlife conservationists from where some of us learnt a lot. People like Norman Carr taught us why the points I am making here are important. Norman Carr could literally not allow any disturbance of our wildlife. Then there has been the artist David Shepard.
I learnt a lot from wildlife and environmental officers. And I learnt greatly from the communities I visited living around game parks and game reserves. I have learnt a lot from conservationists, environmentalists, and community members all over the world. I remember the times I have viewed elephants and wildlife. It has been wonderful. We were very attracted to elephants. You really enjoyed viewing those giants of animal life. That is why every holiday I had as head of state, I went over to the valley, watching elephants and other forms of wildlife. I have not been there for some time now. I miss those visits and I hope I will again start going there.
Jobs will grow if we look after our wildlife well. Jobs must not be at the expense of our wildlife and environ¬ment. Otherwise, we will lose a lot. I am sure that another place can be found for the Legacy Holdings Zambia project. There are other places that can work well for them and every one, including our ecology and environment.
I am, myself, a keen golfer would protest if asked to play at a golf course built at the expense of Musi O Tunya National Park and the environment. 1 believe there are many other golfers, local and international, who may refuse to play golf at such a controversial place.
The Legacy project has social, economic, and environmental implications we must carefully consider. Environment is a matter beyond political parties. It is a matter beyond just our generation. It is a matter beyond Zambia. This is a matter affecting the health of the earth itself.
It is good that already, many people from various groups are in agreement over the need to support the environment. I appeal to more people, from the ruling party, from the opposition, and all areas of human endeavour, to continue to get together to consider the common good. Truly, we need to consider the health of the environment. We need to consider the long-term implications of projects. We must avoid creating a legacy of environmental imbalance being passed to the future. We must be careful that we do not construct and maintain buildings, businesses, and industries at the expense of the environment. We must avoid harming the heritage of humanity. I appeal to everyone, from all walks of life, to get together and act for the environment.
The Post 'Lifestyle'. Sunday 3 December 2006
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