SIZWE SAMAYENDE, Skukuza | Monday
ONE of the largest conservation areas in Africa, a 35000 square kilometer conservation and eco-tourism area spanning the Kruger Park, Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe and a conservation area called Coutada 16 in Mozambique, has started taking shape.
Ministers from the three countries at the weekend signed a historic agreement to create the giant park, which will be called the Gaza-Kruger-Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park (GKG).
South African Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Mohammed Valli Moosa signed the agreement at Skukuza with Mozambican Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Helder Mutela and Zimbabwean Minister of Environment and Tourism Francis Nhema.
Moosa said the agreement was an important moment in the history of the three countries because it would build co-operation on conservation management.
“This park will attract international tourism by its sheer size and diversity, and become a symbol of growing co-operation in Southern Africa,” Moosa said.
He said the park also had the objectives of promoting regional bio-diversity conservation and socio-economic upliftment of rural communities living in and around the park.
Private enterprises would be extensively involved in developing and operating eco-tourism projects generated by the initiative.
“In developing these eco-tourism opportunities, job creation for local communities will be a priority,” Moosa said.
Mutela concurred with Moosa that conservation could not be separated from human development.
“Where conservation does not consider social and economic factors, it is doomed to failure,” the Mozambican minister said.
Mutela added the park was rich in cultural and biological natural resources and could be a “magnet” for tourists visiting Southern Africa.
The GKG agreement followed the opening of the Kgalagadi transfrontier park between South Africa and Botswana on May 12. – African Eye News Service