Zimbabwe: Vic Falls Projects Frozen

The Hearld (Harare), January 23, 2007.

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. 

Source: Vic Falls Projects Frozen (The Herald, 23/01/07)