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MAPUTO- Fence removal between the Kruger National Park and Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park has resumed.

The removal, which will allow for the free movement of wildlife between the two countries as part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), stopped as a result of financial problems. Jorge Ferrão, project coordinator for the GLTP, said that the fence is being removed in phases to allow assessment to be done on the possible impact on the wildlife.

Ferrão said the goal is to remove 50km of fence by the end of the year.

Last year's highlights in the evolution of the nascent transfrontier park have been released:

Transfrontier access

Giriyondo Border Post Development

The Giriyondo Border post will be the first border crossing inside the GLTP. The South African component was completed in mid-2004. Work on the Mozambican component began in December and it is scheduled for completion by May 2005. Some utilities will be shared between the two countries. The number of tourists from South Africa who entered Mozambique in December was up 126% on the previous year. All indications are that a vast number of these tourists will travel via Kruger to Mozambique once Giriyondo is fully operational.

Crossing point over Limpopo River

Consultants undertook an investigative analysis to identify the options for the optimal crossing point over the Limpopo River to link Kruger National Park in South Africa to Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe. The report investigated crossing points, bridge options, road networks, transportation options, social, economic, geotechnical and hydrological issues. The environmental issues will be investigated in the second phase. Five options were identified and discussions are ongoing. The final decision will be made at the Joint Management Board (JMB) meeting early in 2005 and forwarded to the Ministerial Meeting, also early in 2005 for approval.

Sengwe Biodiversity Corridor

Legal Proceedings

The legal process to formally proclaim the Sengwe Corridor as a wilderness area has started. This corridor is vital to link Gonarezhou to the rest of the GLTP. In June, the key stakeholders all agreed to set up the Sengwe-Tshipise Wilderness Areas Combination Authority in order to advance the process.

Upgrading of facilities

An important part of developing the GLTP is to upgrade amenities in all three national parks to an equal standard. Upgrades and development have been ongoing in all three parks.

In Gonarezhou, tourism facilities in the camps and the associated staff quarters were upgraded, including the provision of electricity. Additional accommodation units for junior staff housing were constructed. Some camps in the northern region of the park were refurbished with the conversion of chalets into lodges. Additional tourist accommodation units were constructed in the southern region of the park. Roads are being repaired, and some gravel roads have been reopened.

In Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park (LNP), tourism operators are currently being appointed to operate the 4x4 safari trails and hiking trail. It is envisaged these will become fully operational in 2005.

In Kruger the Pafuri Gate in the far northern region was officially opened following an upgrade which included the moving of the entire complex in order to facilitate further tourism development of the Makuleke Contractual Park. Also in the far north, Punda Maria Camp received seven luxury tents and a swimming pool, and Punda Maria Gate received a new building, reception area and ablution blocks.

Conservation

Animal translocations

A total of 501 animals were translocated from Kruger to the LNP, notably 10 white rhino in August. One of the objectives of introducing elephant into LNP was to enhance the movement of elephant into Mozambique and also stimulate their dynamic movement across the border. During a recent joint venture between Mozambique, South Africa's Department of Agriculture, SANParks and Peace Parks Foundation to monitor buffalo in LNP, it became clear that this objective had been met as elephant are now migrating both ways across the border between Mozambique and South Africa.

Elephant management indaba

An Indaba on the management of elephants in GLTP was held in Kruger in October, where various options were discussed. The outcome will form part of a management plan to be prepared in 2005.

International exposure

The GLTP received a great deal of international exposure in 2004. In November the International Coordinator, Dr Jorge Ferrão represented the GLTP at the 3rd IUCN World Conservation Congress held in Bangkok, Thailand where he delivered a paper and the GLTP also had a display stand. Dr Ferrão also represented the GLTP at an international symposium held in São Paulo, Brazil in October and at the same time presented the GLTP to post graduate students at the Federal University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Following extensive interaction between the JMB and the editor, an article on the GLTP was published in the World Book Encyclopaedia, which is widely distributed all over the world.

Management

Strategic review workshop

In May, members of the JMB participated in a strategic workshop in South Africa. The aim of the workshop was to allow them to undertake a fresh analysis around the key issues and challenges facing the GLTP, with a view to establishing a solid base for future strategic planning. The workshop recommendations were discussed at a JMB meeting in September. These included the establishment of a secretariat that would be permanently in place, the drafting of an integrated master plan, the establishment of a road network and the terms of office of the country coordinator.

Revenue sharing decision

A revenue sharing study was undertaken, with a number of options identified and discussed around this rather complex issue. After much deliberation between the three countries, it was decided that, for the present, each park would charge its own fees for entry into the park. Reason being that there is still too much difference between the amenities and wildlife viewing opportunities available in the various parks.

GLTP Treaty ratified

While the international treaty to establish the GLTP had been signed in December 2002, Mozambican law decreed that same treaty could only be ratified once a Portuguese version had been signed. An amendment to the treaty was therefore drafted and the three ministers of the environment signed the final version, including the amendments at the GLTP Ministerial Meeting held on 20 August.

Changeover of management

In accordance with the GLTP Treaty, Zimbabwe is set to take over the coordination of the GLTP from Mozambique. To ensure a smooth transition, study visits to both Mozambique and South Africa were undertaken by the Zimbabwean staff.

Labels: annual report, great limpopo park, greater limpopo park, transfrontier park