JULIUS BAUMANN

Aviation and Tourism Editor

PROTEA Hotels has defended its plan to build a 72-room hotel and conference centre in a protected wilderness area on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River, saying it has strictly followed the legal process of seeking approval set down by Zambian environmental authorities.

The planned hotel has been criticised by tour operators and conservationists on both side of the river who fear the development will do irreparable damage to the unspoiled wilderness areas of the Chiawa Game Management Area, the adjoining Lower Zambezi National Park and the Mana Pools National Park across the river in Zimbabwe.

Interested parties having until tomorrow to lodge objections with the Environmental Council of Zambia, the body that will ultimately decide on Protea’s application.

“It is not in our interests to build a hotel that is seen as damaging to the environment. That is not good for our business. Therefore we are following the legal process and now it is up to the Environmental Council of Zambia to make the right decision,” Protea MD Arthur Gillis said last week.

He said building plans submitted to the council were not cast in stone and could be adapted to address any environmental concerns raised by the council. “We will proceed with caution and will not do anything that damages the surrounding wildlife areas,” said Gillis. “However, it does not make sense to prevent development without considering the needs of the surrounding communities who will benefit from it.”

Sally Wynn, campaign director for Wild Zambezi and The Zambezi Society said yesterday the Zimbabwean and Zambian interest groups were submitting input to council.

Wynn points out that while there was no obligation by Protea to consider the environment impact of the Mana Pools, as it fell outside of Zambia, the development would nevertheless have a major impact on the World Heritage Site due to the proximity of the hotel. “We are lobbying the Zimbabwean authorities hard. They have told us that they are already making representations to the Zambian government,” said Wynn.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Source: Business Day