University of Aarhus ECOTOURISM AS A WAY TO PROTECT ...

Ecotourism as a sustainable way to protect nature
1997). This shows that Environmental Impact Assessment is priority before
carrying out any kind of activity in the wild.
3.2.6. Tourism/Mining: An African economic dilemma
The economical problems are of a very different nature. The main thing is
that the incomes are not divided equally between the natives and the whites.
This makes them think that this is just a “white project” which does not involve
them and worse, not leave them to live as they used to. This is the reason why
Masai warriors killed a large number of wild animals to get their land again.
Furthermore, Africa has a very important problem with mining. This
consumptive activity is the main obstacle to conservation because this is the
most powerful industry in Africa. Its interests are the opposites of conservation
and ecotourism. The UNEP recognises “The copper mining industry in
Phalaborwa has, in fact, long been a source of irritation to the management of
the Kruger Park, as well as to a number of private game reserves in the vicinity.
Airborne pollution and effluent from the industry have contaminated soil as
rivers that feed the reserves” (Kock, 1994). But not only contamination is the
problem - human lives are at risk too. 300 workers die each year due to mining.
Furthermore, there is a contradiction between law, government and protection.
The new minerals act of 1991 gives the minister the right “…to grant
consent to an application for permission to mine where the state holds the state
to any minerals…and gives priority to mineral rights over private ownership”
(Kock, 1994). In 1995 a dispute emerged between mining, military and
environmental interests by Madimbo Corridor. At the beginning of that period
environmental interests seemed losing the battle against mining. National Park’s
fault when thousands of people were removed from their land and their houses
were burned in the name of conservation. It never involved them. Right now,
conservation promise to create 33 jobs speaking about a “long-term” activity as
66