Zambia, Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia will establish the biggest conservation park in the world under a memorandum of understanding signed on Friday, Times of Zambia reported on Saturday.

 

Under the memorandum signed in the Zimbabwean border town of Victoria Falls, the massive conservation and wildlife estate dubbed the Kazango-Zambezi (KAZA) transfrontier conservation zone will occupy a surface area of 28,000 square km.

 

At the signing ceremony, Zambian Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Kabinga Pande said the park would broaden the range of tourism attractions and lead to increased access to infrastructure such as international airports, hotels and other facilities in the five countries, thereby boosting tourism in the region.

 

He said the establishment of the park will enable tourism to drive across international boundaries into adjoining conservation areas in the countries freely.

 

It will not only promote the KAZA region as a highly competitive world-class destination, but also enhance cooperation among the countries in the spirit of and with framework of regional integration.

 

Zimbabwean Minister of Environment and Tourism Francis Ngema called for sustainable use of the natural resources to ensure future generations are not deprived of a vital heritage.

 

Angolan Hotels and Tourism Minister Jonatao Chingunji said the project will create jobs and improve social deficiencies.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 11, 2006)