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WILDERNESS THEME
What is wilderness and why is it important?
The Zambezi River is
one of the few places in the world where true wilderness can be found. This
is an especially valuable asset in an increasingly developed world. As industrialisation
claims more wild lands worldwide, so, the few remaining wildernesses become
sought-after commodities as "living museums". They provide opportunities for
"back to nature" escape for stressed urban populations, and inspiration for
generations of artists, writers, philosophers, immensely enriching mankind's
creative heritage. The aesthetic qualities and natural resources of wild areas
provide livelihood opportunities for local communities and some are valued
for their traditional or cultural significance.
But what is wilderness?
The Zambezi Society recently asked a cross-section of visitors to the Zambezi
River and communities living in the area, how they valued "wilderness", and
what the term meant to them. Although many of the areas of highest biological
diversity along the Zambezi River are considered to be "wilderness" areas,
this is not always the case. Our research indicates that visitors and communities
alike perceive wilderness as a feeling or a state of mind brought about by
surroundings.
This feeling can be inspired as much by a scenically beautiful landscape,
as by the presence of "untamed nature" in the form of big trees/wild animals
etc. Community perceptions about wilderness are often influenced by traditional,
spiritual or cultural beliefs. However,
most people's descriptions of "true wilderness" have several things in common:
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remoteness;
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peace;
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lack of people,their activities and the |
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trappings
of their development;
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a feeling of "being subject to nature's laws, |
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rather than mankind's;
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unpredictability.
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With these definitions
in mind, the Zambezi Society is:-
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identifying
priority "wilderness" areas for conservation within the Zambezi Basin |
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developing "wilderness-sensitive" guidelines for use by planners, development authorities, tour operators and visitors, seeking to appreciate and enhance, rather than erode the "wilderness" value of Zambezi landscapes |
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creating
general awareness of the fact that "wilderness" per se is a marketable
commodity which (like wildlife) can bring people financial incentives
through eco-tourism for setting land aside for conservation.
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seeking to reinforce wilderness management in Zambezi wild areas by developing a wilderness management training course for custodians and managers of wild places, including field officers, rangers and guides. |
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helping to establish community-based wilderness areas to provide opportunities for local revenue generation through carefully-managed, sustainable tourism initiatives. |
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Visitor
Wilderness Survey
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| The Zambezi Society surveyed some 1500 visitors from all over the world in four Zambezi Valley tourism destinations with the aim of identifying their perceptions about wilderness and its value. |
