Authorities are meeting in Ezulwini, Eswatini, for a 2-day workshop to develop an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for the Lubombo TransFrontier Conservation Area (TFCA).
They are the Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality’s tourism department, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA).
The Lubombo TFCA spans across countries in Southern Africa- Eswatini, Mozambique, and South Africa.
In an update about the initiative, Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality said the MTPA is involved because of its nature initiative with the Songimvelo-Malolotja TFCA, which connects the Kingdom of Eswatini and South Africa.
TransFrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) can serve as corridors of nature, characterized by various conservation areas and compatible land uses.
Once completed, the IDP currently under development, will unlock nature-based growth opportunities by improving each country’s natural assets and resources.
Phetla Thapelo, Spokesperson of Chief Albert Luthuli, said “the primary goal of the Lubombo TFCA is to facilitate sustainable economic development. This will be achieved through the optimisation of natural assets, ecological sustainability, and integrated environmental planning and management. The workshop includes plenary sessions where participants will collaborate to develop strategies and frameworks tailored to the specific needs of each TFCA. These strategies will guide the operation of the TFCAs over the next ten years.”
He said the TFCA model encompasses strategies to fight wildlife crime, climate resilience, water security, biodiversity loss, and the development of resilient green and blue economies through income-generating projects.
Picture: Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park & Conservation Area