Ecotourism investments in protected areas cause uproar as Zanzibar moves on

Mike Mande

The Island of Zanzibar is moving on with its quest to invest in forest protected areas despite an uproar from world conservation bodies.

The Isles’ Government is now seeking local and international firms to construct tourism facilities in four protected areas of Unguja and Pemba despite its value and importance to the world heritage.

The four protected areas which are up for grabs are Jozani Chwaka Bay National Parks, Ngezi-Vumawimbi Nature Reserve,

Masingini Nature Reserve and KiwengwaPongwe Forest Reserves.

Zanzibar government says infrastructure that will be permitted in those areas should be light, eco-friendly structures that can be easily dismantled with little footprints in the forest reserve which should be installed in open space and without significant cutting of vegetation.

It said that the investors should also observe the 30 metres limit of building on the sand beach and the 10 metres limit from the rocky shore.

Simai Said, Minister for Tourism and Heritage of Zanzibar says that in Zanzibar, forest protected areas are attractive to tourists as well as investors and are one of the important investment hotspots as they create and maintain a balanced approach between ecotourism and conservation.

“Ecotourism facilities on protected areas must be conducted with an understanding of how the areas function as an ecosystem, and how a facility will conserve the cultural heritage values, benefit traditional owners and the community; improve tourism experience, and be integrated into the park’s forest resource management. Investment into Ecotourism, will assist in developing facilities and improving experiences in protected areas,” said Simai.

According to Simai, the investments in the forest protected areas will contribute much to improving the livelihood of the Zanzibar communities, conserve biodiversity and increase the country’s income at large. Nevertheless, to work with investors in harmony, it is justifiable to have clear guidelines on different investments initiatives especially in biologically sensitive areas such as Forest Protected Areas.

The Island of Zanzibar has of recent encouraged investors to establish investments in different areas including in the forest protected areas to support the Country’s Blue Economy Policy. It is also continuing with its initiatives of installing CCTV across the tourism sites in the Island. The Isles are currently a major tourist hub for Italian, Ukraine and Russian tourists. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)says the 1994 protocol recognises that protected areas must be managed through legal or other effective means.

“Protected areas represent special places in the world that are managed for conservation purposes. They are, of course, important because of the critical role they play in biodiversity conservation. This role is recognised by most countries including the 177 Parties to the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD). Article 8 obliges Parties to establish a system of protected areas to conserve biodiversity, but also to develop guidelines for the management of such areas and promote appropriate development adjacent to protected areas. Commitments such as these assist in the conservation of global biodiversity by making clearer the responsibilities of governments for protected area systems.’ it said.

In its statement to the Travel News East Africa, the IUCN said that protected areas ensure the continued flow of ecosystem services, such as the provision of clean water and the protection of soil resources. They provide significant economic benefits to surrounding communities and contribute to spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing.

It said that protected areas also help fulfill an ethical responsibility to respect nature and provide opportunities to learn about nature and the environment.

The Isles government promises to take appropriate measures to ensure that as the facilities are built; there shall not be significant change to the land’s natural condition or adverse effect on cultural resources and values.

Zanzibar is endowed with 10 forest protected areas including National Parks, Nature Conservation Areas, Forest Reserves, mangrove and a good network of community forest protected areas.