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An extract on Kasanka from a book of ecotourism case studies produced by the ‘World Tourism Organisation’. |
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Zambia |
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| 1. Name of the Project/activity/destination |
The Kasanka National Park |
| 2. Location of the project/activity |
Kasanka National Park and Surrounding Areas, Central Province, Zambia |
| 3. Responsible organisation (s) and contact person |
Edmund Farmer Kasanka Park Manager,
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| 4. Description |
The Non-profit limited liability company (Kasanka Trust Limited) is recognised as a charitable institution with tax exemption. Implementation is done through Park Manager, Community Relations Officer, Project Coordinator and 90 other locally employed staff. In 1990, National Parks and Wildlife Services( now ZAWA) signed a 10-year agreement based on performance, allowing the Trust to manage Kasanka National Park and develop tourism. The Authority is considering renewing the Agreement. The long-term objective is generating tourism revenue to finance all the park management costs and deliver sustainable development to surrounding communities. The project has integrated park management and development, tourism development, local community development, education and research. |
| 5. Project initiation and/or its author/s |
More than two decades ago, Kasanka was threatened by rampant poaching. David Lloyd, British expatriate, after staying long in Zambia, visited Kasanka in 1985 and noticed heavy poaching. Concluding that wildlife still existed, he sought to salvage Kasanka, Teamed up with a local farmer, sought funding and applied for official permission to rehabilitate Kasanka. Built tourist camps, roads and bridges. He set up Kasanka Trust to raise funds for community-based project. Revenue came from tourists for project activities. Wildlife legislation and Agreement allowed full management of Kasanka in conjunction with Zambia Wildlife Authority, and tourism development in partnership with local community. |
| 6. Objectives and strategies |
Kasanka Trust was formed to bring effective management to Kasanka National Park, thereby protecting flora and fauna. By developing infrastructure and tourism marketing, it aims at making Kasanka self-sustaining and deriving benefits to local community. The Trust promotes wildlife conservation education and research and supports rural development schemes in adjacent communities. |
| 7. Project finance and funding |
Funding for activities comes from tourism, foreign Governments, charities and individual supporters. Main investments and training costs have been delivered into construction of roads, bridges, tourist accommodation and facilities; employment, training and equipping of anti-poaching scouts; provision of staff housing and facilities, procurement and maintenance of vehicles, communication and logistics. |
| 8. Sustainability aspects of the ecotourism project / initiative |
a.
Contribution to the conservation of natural areas
The Trust complements ZAWA's conservation efforts, by maintaining ecosystem in pristine state and enforcing law against poaching. To preserve habitats, especially small rare ones like evergreen swamp forests, remnant dry evergreen patches, and papyrus swamps, comprehensive fire management tool of controlled early burning is used. Tourism delivers economic rationale for continued protection. b. Economic benefits generated through the project for conservation organizations and authorities (including communities) managing natural areas. Tourism surplus income goes for park management and community development. These constitutes the one third of the expenditures but rising rapidly as tourism products develop. Agreement under negotiation proposes to give tourism revenue percentage to Community Resource Management Board, currently supported by direct grants from the Trust. ZAWA receives revenues from park entry charges. c. Community involvement and benefits Stakeholders' committee, including traditional and elected community representatives oversees ecotourism. Communities encouraged to generate income from trade by tourists, explore other income sources and food diversification scheme. Tourism is the largest private sector employer in the district. The community is involved in school rehabilitation, health care, training, horticulture, bee keeping, tourism hospitality and law enforcement. d. Educational and interpretation features Extension workers visit local primary schools and adult groups for conservation education. These groups are supported for educational visits to the park. Secondary school field trips are hosted for biology and geography and outdoor experiences. University students participate in research experiences. Extensive programs of rehabilitating schools, sponsoring teachers and secondary pupils are conducted. e. Environmental practices in the development and operation of ecotourism facilities, establishments and services Minimum impact tourism is practiced inside the national park. Traditional style structures with emphasis on local materials has been constituted. Vehicles are kept to network of simple tracks. Walking treks and canoeing are encouraged. |
| 9. Problems and their solutions | Wildlife
resources were very depleted at start of the project -large anti-poaching
and education programs.
Remote location difficult to get supplies -careful planning and controlled consumption. Low skill base in local population. Training programs and broad recruitment.
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| 10. Results achieved | In 1986 there were no tourism, little wildlife, little community development. Kasanka is now firmly on the Zambian tourism circuit with turnover around $80,000 p.a. Wildlife populations approaching capacity. Income is used for park management and community development. 100 local people were employed. High standard facilities were built. |
| 11. Lessons learned | Good
marketing and contacts are essential for tourism.
.Economic savings and added tourism value can be obtained from integration of management and tourism. An effective management control is vital, especially with low skill workforce. |
| 12. Monitoring Activities | Wildlife populations and anti-poaching efforts are monitored annually both internally and by the Environmental Council of Zambia monitoring unit. Strict control is maintained on use of resources, pollution, use of vehicles, movements and residency of staff in the park. |