August brought a breakthrough for conservation in Africa when the governments of Malawi and Zambia concluded an agreement for the creation of new transfrontier conservation areas that will eventually cover 33 000km2.
A memorandum of understanding was signed on August 13 by the Malawian Minister of Information and Tourism, Ken Lipenga, and Zambia’s Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Patrick K Kalifungwa.
The proposed transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) will consolidate Malawi’s Nyika National Park, Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve and Kasungu National Park, and Zambia’s Nyika National Park, Lundazi Forest Reserve, Lukusuzi National Park. The agreement was the outcome of a year-long series of bilateral meetings facilitated by the Peace Parks Foundation.
TFCAs, also known as peace parks, usually comprise two or more areas of conservation significance that border each other across international boundaries. The Malawi / Zambia TFCA covers a diversity of habitats and eco-systems.
An immediate result of the agreement will be the appointment of a wildlife law enforcement coordinator to combat poaching. The two governments will approach international donor organisations to support the development of the peace park.
‘TFCAs have the potential to promote ecological, cultural and political processes,” said Lipenga. ‘Ecosystems divided by political boundaries can be reunited, and cultural ties severed by borders can be reintegrated. ‘
Kalifungwa pointed out that the deal furthers the aims of the Southern African Development Community’s protocol on wildlife conservation.
The Peace Parks Foundation is working with researchers from the University of Pretoria and South African National Parks in both Malawi and Zambia. They have placed tracking collars on 18 elephants as part of a project to establish their spatial requirements in the region.
It is expected that the final treaty for the peace park will be signed in December 2005 by the Malawian and Zambian heads of state.