By Chimine Chimine
Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) is calling for the establishment of the world-class trans frontier conservation area and tourism destination in the Kavango and Zambezi regions for sustainable development.
This was revealed by Dr Nyambe Nyambe, Secretariate Executive of KAZA-TFCA during the four-day consultative research collaboration meeting held at Katima Mulilo UNAM Campus this week under the theme “ Exploring Research Synergies Beyond Borders”
It was expected that the meeting would agree on shared transboundary research and training topics, which are central to sustainable interface between wildlife conservation and livelihoods of the communities in the two north-eastern regions of Namibia. This includes wildlife dispersal areas, Human-Wildlife Conflicts and Co-management of the wetland resources in the KAZA-TFCA.
Dr. Nyambe pointed out that “the Vision of KAZA -TFCA is to establish a world-class trans-frontier conservation area and tourism destination in the Okavango and Zambezi river-basin regions within the context of sustainable development’’.
He added that its main objectives are to join fragmented wildlife habitats into an interconnected mosaic of Pas and transboundary wildlife corridors, which will facilitate and enhance the free movement of animals across international boundaries.
KAZA-TFCA is the second-largest nature and landscape conservation area in the world, surrounded by the five(5) international borders in Southern Africa bordering Angola, Botswana , Namibia ,Zambia and Zimbabwe.
At the same occasion , Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia , Prof. Kenneth Matengu urged that “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together’’
He stipulated on the agenda that responds to challenges in KAZA such as Health, Environment, Climate Change, People & Development, Agriculture, Wetland heritage and indigenous knowledge.
The Katima Mulilo UNAM Campus is currently under construction in extending its School of World Life Management and Tourism at the adjacent site near the banks of the Zambezi River.
Representatives from KAZA-TFCA, and members states academics from Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana where present at the meeting and each country was given 15-minutes presentations to share their views on the status, gaps and solutions of a research initiative in KAZA-TFCA and were able to go over the breakaway sessions for identification of research areas relevant to KAZA thematic areas.