Victoria Falls faces real existential danger
IT is really surprising that the Zimbabwe government is turning a deaf ear to the happenings at Victoria Falls. In some cases, it seems, the government itself is encouraging the developments.
In recent weeks, and the Zimbabwe Independent has reported on this, there has been a dogfight between government and environmentalists over the proposed construction of hotels and other recreational facilities right at the heart of the rainforest. A golf course has been proposed too.
The UN has warned that plans by the governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia for the development of a golf course, lodges and a hydroelectric dam near the Victoria Falls will put the renowned tourist destination at risk of losing the world heritage site status.
This week it was reported that the government was partnering international pharmaceutical company Intra Pharma of Dubai to manufacture medicines and medical sundries at Victoria Falls.
What this entails is the construction of a monstrous factory in this city. We cannot begin to imagine how this will affect the ecosystem that is home to some of the best flora and fauna found in the country.
Victoria Falls was not declared a world heritage site in 1989 for nothing. Here is a reminder: “A World Heritage Site is a cultural or natural landmark that has been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). These sites are deemed worthy of preservation due to their universal value to humanity, both in the present and for future generations. Each World Heritage Site is held in collective trust, 'belonging to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located', and is legally protected by international treaty.”
Victoria Falls is a unique place. Not only is the waterfall the world’s largest sheet of falling water; but the animals that live in its environs also make it a garden of Eden.
It must remain like that for the sake of generations to come. Humanity should desist as much as possible from altering that environment. The environment is already endangered by the number of tourists visiting it now that many international airlines are flying into the city.
The pharmaceutical company is the grossest thing that will happen to Victoria Falls. No one knows what kind of chemical waste will be spewed into the air and into the water system from this chemical plant. And, no one knows how the flora and fauna and humans will be affected.
It does not make sense to build the factory in the premium resort anyway when the logical thing to do would be to build it somewhere central, for example in the Midlands, for the easy distribution of the medicines round the country.
What is important to remember is that Victoria Falls as a world heritage site no longer belongs to Zimbabwe alone but to the world and to our unborn children.