Controversial rezoning approved?

[Lisbeth]

Isn't the buffer zone only supposed to be on the eastern side of the park?

[iNdlovu]

In SA, east is west and west is east and if you realy want to, you can make them north or south if it means it will benefit you in anyway.

[lowveldboy]

This whole thing is a comedy of errors. There are 2 re-zoning issues.
1) the buffer zone outside the park to try and put a stop to poaching
2) the 2 kilometer strip inside the park for commercial use.

Effectively what will happen is the buffer zone outside the park will restrict any additional commercial acitivity, thereby guaranteeing no oposition or competition to SanParks' proposed hotels and the 2 kilometer strip will allow SP to do whatever they want from a commercial point of view, hey we may even see factories in this strip. Rediculous of course, but I wouldn't put anything past the current management team if there's money in it.

What scares the heck out of me is the minister's comment that construction of the Malelane hotel will commence in January. This is loose and irrisponsible talk, especially in light of the fact that the EIA has not been concluded. I have to ask, does this mean that no matter what the EIA comes up with, she has already deicded in her own mind that the hotels will go ahead.

Indy - I think you hit the nail on the head. They think they will build these hotels, come hell or high water. They do not believe they can be stopped.

[Lisbeth]

In SA, east is west and west is east and if you realy want to, you can make them north or south if it means it will benefit you in anyway.

Rather complicated for the man in the street, I mean....

[Peter Betts]

Its sad that we have to go to other countries and pay big bucks to enjoy African Wildlife because of greed

[Poplap]

... hey we may even see factories in this strip.

Or (CoAL) mines?

[Mel]

Its sad that we have to go to other countries and pay big bucks to enjoy African Wildlife because of greed

Keep going to other countries, tell about what you saw there and hence make others follow your example because they want to experience
the same. In the long run you'll get development there as well, I assume...

[Lisbeth]

(Off topic hotel discussion, moved to the "Proposed Hotels in....." as "General Discussion on Hotels in KNP"))

[Richprins]

Ja, let's just wait for actual confirmation of what the minister said...it should take a few days! Ei

[lowveldboy]

RP - i love your optimism!!!! Expecting an answer in a few days