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The Kavango-Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) Heads of State Summit which starts today, May 31, 2024, in Livingstone, Zambia will be the second of its kind, with the first held in May 2019 in Kasane, Botswana. NDUBI MVULA writes…

THE Kavango-Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) was established in 2011. It is one of the largest conservation areas in the world, covering approximately 520,000 square kilometres. This vast area spans parts of five countries: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The event aims to reaffirm political commitment to regional cooperation, focusing on the conservation and socio-economic development of the KAZA region of the member States.

Just for the sake of interest, one may ask as to what this KAZA is all about. Well, it is noted that there are 18 Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, found in terrestrial and marine environments and are at various stages of development.

The KAZA is home to a diverse range of wildlife species. Some of the key animal populations include:

1. The largest contiguous population of African elephants, estimated at around 250,000 individuals. This represents about half of Africa’s total elephant population.

2. The region supports significant populations of lions, an iconic species for tourists and an indicator of a healthy ecosystem.

3. The area is also home to a variety of other species, including leopards, cheetahs, African wild dogs, buffalos, hippos, and numerous species of antelope and birds.

It is further noted that SADC TFCs were founded on the realisation that natural resources have straddling potential to meaningfully contribute towards biodiversity conservation with special emphasis on sustainable wildlife management, the socio-economic development of rural communities living in and around them, and more importantly, regional integration.

Their configuration varies from those that are Transfrontier Parks (TP) that include two or more adjacent and protected areas, to those that include a complexity of land-uses such as communal land, concession areas and Protected Areas.

Therefore, the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) is a noble example of the latter.

Nevertheless, the theme for this year’s Summit is “Leveraging KAZA’s natural capital as a catalyst for inclusive economic development of the region,” which highlights the importance of natural resources in fostering economic growth and development.

The summit is designed to address various topics, including the controversial trophy hunting ban proposed by the United Kingdom’s Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill, which has significant implications for the region’s wildlife management and local communities.

A good look at the economic benefits of KAZA to Member States reveals that it offers substantial economic benefits to its member states which are Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These benefits come through the avenues such as:

1. Tourism revenue:

Under tourism growth, it is envisaged that KAZA is home to some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife and natural landscapes, including the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls, which attract tourists globally. The noted influx generates significant revenue for local economies.

Then comes the aspect of job creation in the tourism industry as it provides employment opportunities in hotels, parks, tour companies, and related sectors, thus supporting local communities.

2. Conservation funding:

This area of significant interest comes with the aspect of international aid and investments. Conservation efforts within KAZA attract funding from international organizations, Governments, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) aimed at preserving biodiversity, which also supports local economies.

Here, we are talking about Eco-tourism, in which investment projects help to create sustainable economic opportunities that are less damaging to the environment compared to traditional forms of tourism.

3. Biodiversity and ecosystem services:

There is what is known as sustainable resource management where, by promoting sustainable use of natural resources, KAZA helps ensure that local communities can benefit from ecosystem services such as clean water, fertile soil, and medicinal plants.

Climate Resilience is one such healthy ecosystem within KAZA meant to improve resilience against climate change impacts, which can be economically beneficial by reducing disaster-related costs.

4. Cross-border trade and cooperation:

As this calls for economic integration, the collaborative management of KAZA fosters regional cooperation and integration, potentially leading to better infrastructure, cross-border trade, and shared economic benefits.

 Then comes the controversial trophy hunting ban, as proposed by the UK Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill that aims to ban the importation of legally obtained wildlife trophies from various African countries, including those within the KAZA region. This is said to have sparked significant controversy and debate covering interests such as:

1. Economic impact on local communities:

The summit is also expected to address this issue of revenue loss as it is noted that trophy hunting contributes to local economies by bringing in foreign hunters who spend on licenses, accommodation, and other services. The ban could result in a loss of this income, impacting livelihoods dependent on hunting tourism.

Then comes the issue of funding for conservation. Here, revenues from trophy hunting often fund conservation initiatives. The ban might reduce available funds for managing and protecting wildlife habitats, potentially leading to increased poaching and habitat degradation.

2. Cultural and social implications:

Here comes community support which in some regions, communities have come to rely on the economic benefits of regulated trophy hunting and it is noted that the ban could undermine these community-based conservation models.

As for local autonomy, there are concerns that the ban imposes external values and decisions on African nations, undermining local autonomy in managing their natural resources.

3. Conservation outcomes:

This tends to come with mixed evidence such that, while proponents of the ban argue it will help protect endangered species, opponents contend that well-regulated trophy hunting can play a role in conservation by providing financial incentives to preserve wildlife and habitats.

And when it comes to alternative solutions, some critics of the ban suggest focusing on better regulation and enforcement of existing laws rather than an outright ban, to ensure sustainable hunting practices that benefit conservation efforts.

 As the Heads of States and experts meet to deliberate on the KAZA region’s natural capital and how it significantly contributes to economic development and conservation, it is envisaged that the region will move a step to another direction of development and attract more visitors and tourists alike.