A new independent report calls for strict action on illegitimate tourism developments within the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site and highlights serious questions over the wider management of Site in advance of the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee, to be held in New Delhi, India over 21-31 July 2024.
The 2024 Victoria Falls State of Development Report (3.8mb), produced by Keep Victoria Falls Wild, calls for action on tourism developments which have been constructed in the 'no new development zone' (known as the 'High Ecologically Sensitive Zone' or HESZ) of the World Heritage Site in recent years and raises serious concerns over the management of the Site.
"We recommend strong and specific action on recent developments in the HESZ, including the cancellation of approvals, removal of infrastructure and return of sites to their natural state (Baines Restaurant and Rock Pool); the cancellation of agreements relating to yet to be developed projects in the HESZ (Kandahar Camp and ‘Tree Lodges’ proposals); full review of existing developments within HESZ and cancellation of lease agreements if found to be in breach of Park or other regulations (Victoria Falls River Lodge, Old Drift Lodge, Zambezi Camp 'redevelopmets' and the Lookout Cafe). We also highlight what be believe are to be serious and significant shortcomings in the management and protection of the WHS HESZ relating to the River Jetty Site Section, Transport Corridor and Buffer Zone which we believe need to be addressed in the new Joint Integrated Management Plan process."
KVFW 2024 State of Development Report
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Download the Keep Victoria Falls Wild 2024 State of Development Report (3.8mb)
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