Feasibility Study of Proposed Tourism Dev in Shewula, NE ...

5.3. CONCLUSIONS
The environmental legislation of Swaziland, in the form of the Environmental Audit,
Assessment and Review Regulations (1996), requires that an Initial Environmental
Evaluation be carried out to assess the significance of any impacts that the proposed
tourism development may cause. The Swaziland Environment Authority (SEA) will
evaluate the IEE, and a decision will be taken on whether the proposed tourism
development can proceed or not.
The natural qualities of a site provide amenity value for people, especially in the case
of the ecotourism ventures. If the resources that attract tourists to an area are
damaged or altered, then the reason for tourism to that area is undermined, and the
tourism venture is less likely to be feasible in the medium to long-term. In the same
way, if the people of Shewula are alienated by tourists or are negatively impacted by
tourism, then the project will not be feasible in the medium- to long-term.
It is therefore advisable to integrate environmental considerations early on in the
planning process, so that the development, the natural environment and the sociocultural
environment can be sustained in the medium- to long-term. In addition, this
early integration should facilitate the development process.
The Carrying Capacity or LAC for the Shewula area and for the Lubombo
Conservancy is yet to be determined. However, the initial assessment shows that the
proposed tourism development is expected to be well within the Carrying Capacity or
LAC for the Shewula area and for the Lubombo Conservancy. Any tourism
development in the Shewula area in the long-term needs to assess the CC or LAC for
the Shewula area and for the Lubombo Conservancy.
The details of the proposed development have yet to be finalised, thus no specific
comments can be made regarding the potential impacts of the tourism development
on the broader environmental context or of the environment on the tourism
development. However, some general comments can be made regarding the potential
impacts of the tourism development on the receiving environment. Overall, due to the
expected small scale of the development, there are unlikely to be impacts of medium
to high significance, especially if mitigation measures are implemented.
However, the following aspects of the receiving environment need particular attention:
• Water access and use: It is important to ensure that springs or boreholes do "
not dry up because of increased use from tourism development.
• Waste: Waste management should include the 3 R's (reduce, reuse
recycle). Waste can also be an input for permaculture gardens and
agriculture.
• Trail management: Trails will require proper management to prevent erosion
and excessive trampling of vegetation.
• Cultural and social environment: The relationship between tourists and the
community will need to be managed effectively, using tools such as a code
of conduct and community guides.
• Socio-economic environment: The benefits to the community will need to be
managed with the aim of maximising community development.
There is a need for a strategic tourism and conservation management plan for the
proposed Shewula Reserve. Such a plan could be the baseline information document,
which could inform the process of determining the best location for future