The Zambezi Society has expressed concern that the development threatens the fragile riverine eco-system , already stressed by tourism.A lease for the proposed 48-bed (plus 24 staff) “Mana Pools Safari Camp” with a 1-km exclusion zone centered on the Vine Camp Site (about 15 kms upstream from the Park headquarters in Nyamepi) was granted to ECIS Investments (Ms Li Song) by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management and signed by the Minster of the Environment in September 2010. An EIA was completed in June 2011 by Vibes Consultancy, and was approved by the Environmental Management Agency shortly thereafter – without consultation with important stakeholders.
The EIA describes this as a “semi-permanent” camp with 12 thatched double chalets on raised metal and wood platforms above the floodplain, a large, thatched living/dining/ bar area, as well as large quarters for 24 staff, a fence, a swimming pool, 14 septic tanks and a cold-room – all of this powered by a “solar-system with a back-up generator”.
The Vine Camp Site area contains one of the Park’s prime examples of magnificent alluvial woodland covering the banks of the Zambezi River.
Within this precious woodland are vast specimens of very ancient Zambezi fig trees, Natal Mahoganies and River Litchis and rare climbing lianes.
The woodland is a favoured spot for a host of wildlife species, including elephants, lions, leopard and wild dog.
The Zambezi Society obtained a copy of the EIA only after it had already been approved, and found it to be inadequate, inaccurate and ill-informed. After consultation with local and international environmental experts, the society submitted a formal objection to the EIA urging them to reconsider the approval of the project.
They also wrote to the Minister of the Environment highlighting their concerns. No responses have been received.
If you feel strongly about this development, what can you do?
1) Sign our petition against this development, see this link: Stop Destructive Development at Mana Pools
2) Write to The Director, Environmental Protection, Environmental Management Agency, Zimbabwe ema@ema.co.zw and eep@ema.co.zw
3) Talk about this on Facebook via the groups: The Zambezi Society, Save Mana Pools, Friends of Mana Pools etc.
Post published in: Environment