SOUTH AFRICA: Presidents, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe open new Giriyondo global eco-tourism park

Presidents, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on Wednesday (August 16), boosting regional hopes of a major new global eco-tourism destination The GLTP was proclaimed in December 2002 and was intended to foster the sustainable ecosystem management, socio-economic development and boost eco-tourism in the region. "This park is part of the African Renaissance. Through this park, as part of our African rebirth, we seek to redress the legacy of the colonial regional landscape that fragmented ecosystems and separated families and communities," South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki said at the ceremony. Park officials said that part of the 450kms of the heavy fence between South Africa and Mozambique had been removed and hoped to have it all down by 2010. The new super park will expand the Kruger Park's area to 3.5 million hectares from 2 million hectares, relieving pressure on its elephant population which is over 12,000 and steadily growing. This has led some experts to call for lethal culls to prevent the pachyderms from eating themselves out of house and home - an option being considered by the South African government but fiercely opposed by animal welfare groups. Removing the fence may also enable more illegal immigrants from Mozambique to sneak into South Africa. Many take risks of trudging through the Kruger Park to seek a better life in Africa's largest economy despite the risk of attack from large animals such as lions and elephants. But President Mugabe said that the park and related tourism benefits could help combat poverty. "The opening of the Giriyondo Access Facility demonstrates that partnerships are fundamental to the success of the whole Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park project even as it moves us closer to realising our goal of effectively using wildlife management to fight poverty among our people," Mugabe said.

ITN Source | August 19, 2006

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