Victoria falls may lose status
Victoria Falls is in danger of losing its official rank as one of the world’s natural wonders.
If Zimbabwe and Zambia do not send a comprehensive report to Unesco (the UN’s educational, scientific and cultural organisation) this week regarding the conditions at the waterfall, this popular tourist destination’s world heritage status could be downgraded.
The report is already eight years overdue.
A senior official in the Zimbabwean department of tourism told Beeld that the two governments are in a “mad rush” to finish the report in time.
“Technical teams in both countries are working overtime and we hope to complete it within two weeks. It is, however, quite clear that neither Zimbabwe nor Zambia has paid the matter the necessary attention, despite repeated requests from Unesco.”
Economic damage
The official, who asked to remain anonymous “due to the bureaucratic sensitivity of the matter”, said the Zimbabwean government is “panicking”.
“One can only imagine what the economic damage to Zimbabwe would be if this mighty waterfall were to lose its status, especially with the 2010 World Cup just around the corner.
Over the past eight years, Unesco has given large amounts of money to both the Zimbabwean and the Zambian governments and offered technical help to complete the project.
The report is supposed to address issues including threats to the natural beauty of the area, for instance development on both sides of the border.
Private tourism enterprises on both sides of the border are very worried about the fact that both governments are now rushing through the process without any input from the industry.
Beeld
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We must argue realistically. The two countries benefit from the falls through tourists visiting and tourists are alerted of its being a wonder through organisations affiliated to UNESCO. Yes without UNESCO the site will still receive visitors from Chipolopolo and Lupane but at what benefit. So lets push the authorities to comply and we all benefit and the wonder will be preserved for future generations. If Dzimbahwe had enjoyed same protection from way back – it would have been called a dzimbahwe ‘wonder’ not ‘ruin’!! Lets learn
Before we developed the Zambian side, UNESCO was mute and all was well. Now that Zambia whose Vic Falls lies has developed its side, UNESCO says Vic falls is under threat? Anyhow, UNESCO or no UNESCO, Vic Falls remains one of the natural wonders and can not be stripped of that status.
It’s so obvious that the article and indeed the bloggers are so ignorant about the whole matter and the role unesco is playing. It bestows that status if conditions are met. It is in zambias interest to make sure development within the site conforms to unesco codes otherwise as seen in a lot destinations around the world, it become a concrete jungle for tourist at the expensive of natural setting. Unesco in there interest have to see that authorities are doing the right things to justify funding they provide. People just yep yep without knowing much. It’s regratable to see such inefficiences from the Zambian authorities!!!
Musi O Tunya will always remain what it is despite threats to down grade it.LOL!
Whats that name again that the local Tokas call it?
We should actually get together with the Zims to give it a local name.Innit?
Without much analysis, let me join my colleagues here in saying to hell with the threats, and I have drank to that!
it ll only lose the status in the eyes of unesco.period………….
God made Victoria Falls a Natural Wonder not UNESCO. To hell with the report!!!
Report or no report, the Victoria Falls will ALWAYS remain a natural wonder. Its status is far beyond what UNESCO can bestow on it. However let our two Govts work on this report and submit it as quickly as possible since we are both members of UNESCO and the World Heritage Convention. What a beauty especially now when the mighty Zambezi is at full throttle. Ati river Rhine river Rhine: see the Zambezi then you will appreciate what a river is.
thia ia crap..IMF shud behave …its already a natural wonder..whats their problem?
I wonder wat cn hapen to our economy if tourists stopd visitn our falls, its predictabo disaster for zambia oso