Mana Pools landscape with Zambia on the other side of the river

Map showing location of Protea development

Design for front of Protea Hotel

Protea hotel suites (1 of 6 blocks)

Protea Hotels is planning to build a 144-bed hotel and conference facility in Zambia less than 500m across the Zambezi River from prime National Park wilderness in the Mana Pools World Heritage Site.   Zimbabwean tour operators, conservationists and wildlife authorities are up in arms about the potential impacts of this and the fact that they have not been consulted on an issue which directly affects their area of operation and concern in a World Heritage Site. 
 
Public comments and objections to the development should be lodged by e-mail with the The Manager, Inspectorate,  Environmental Council of Zambia, jsakala@necz.org.zm  and Inspector, Chirundu Border Office, Environmental Council of Zambia, csimwanza@necz.org.zm   not later than 14th April 2010:  Objectors should also register their concern officially with consultant Shadreck Nsongela snsongela@zamtel.zm  and Protea Hotel Director Adam Leithbridge director@arcades.co.zm    A full copy of the Environmental Impact Statement, which gives details of the development is available for download at this link:  http://mailhost.necz.org.zm/news/comments/eis-reports/Lower-Zambezi-Lodge.html 
 
A comprehensive Management Plan for the Mana Pools National Park and World Heritage Site was completed last year by the Zimbabwean Wildlife authorities, in consultation with major stakeholders, and is currently awaiting official approval.  The Plan acknowledges the importance of safeguarding Mana Pools' priceless wilderness values and advocates restricting tourism numbers and keeping tourism developments at low density.  It also advocates collaboration with Zambia to promote a trans-frontier conservation area incorporating the Lower Zambezi National Park and other tourism areas on the Zambian side.  The Protea Hotel development, while promising job-creation for local communities, appears to neglect any need for co-operation with Zimbabwe, despite the fact that it is situated so close across the Zambezi River, and plans to access Mana Pools for its clients if the trans-frontier plans go ahead!
 
Zambian tourism operators and conservationists have suggested alternative (and less wilderness-sensitive) sites for the development, or a reduction of its size to 28 beds, which is more in keeping with the traditional "safari lodge" ethos of the area.
 
A similar controversial development by Legacy Holdings on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls was halted several years ago after public outrage and the intervention of UNESCO, the international organisation responsible for designation of World Heritage Sites.  Zimbabwean objectors are in discussion with UNESCO in the hopes of a similar intervenion here.

Follow this story on Facebook  Save Mana Pools