THE proposed transfrontier park development between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique is one step closer to being realised after the concept was given the official ministerial approval following a meeting earlier this week between Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Valli Moosa, and his counterparts.
At the meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, on May, 2, the ministers decided to kick-start the development of the 1 000 square kilometre (or 10 million hectare) park by implementing a first phase development of 40 000 sq km in the form of a core transfrontier area.
Leo Braak, spokesperson for the International Transfrontier Area Technical Committee (ITATC) told Travel Now that it is envisaged that the first phase will be completed within the next two years.
The area constitutes approximately 20 000 sq km in Kruger National Park (KNP), 10 000 sq km in Coutada, Mozambique and 10 000 sq km in Gonarezhou, Zimbabwe.
The draft international agreement, which was drawn up by the ITATC, has been approved in principle and its passage through parliament will be accelerated in all respective countries.
The ministers will meet at Berg en Dal, KNP on June 19 to sign the final international agreement.
(Adele Mackenzie)
