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

Chapter 1 - Introduction
1.1.2. Description of the study area
The study area is located alongside the border with Mozambique in the north-eastern
corner of Swaziland. It is a pristine area in terms of both the natural and cultural
assets. Home to the people of Shewula, who continue to practice their traditional
culture, this area contains a high number of endemic plant and animal species and is
an internationally recognised region for biodiversity conservation.
The Shewula community lives along the escarpment of the Lubombo mountains,
which run north-south along the eastern side of Swaziland. The area set aside for the
reserve is not currently occupied and is used primarily for grazing cattle and
harvesting of natural resources. The proposed reserve extends from the top of the
Lubombo escarpment, down to the Umbuluzi River in the south-west and south, and
across to the Swaziland-Mozambique border in the east. It is bordered on the west by
Sisa Ranch.
1.2. TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) was the funding agency for this feasibility study.
The objectives of the study were defined in consultation with the Peace Parks
Foundation and agreed upon by the parties already involved in the planning process
for the proposed initiative. These parties include the Shewula-Mbuluzi-Mlawula Trust,
and the traditional leadership of the Shewula community. 1
The scope of the study was defined as follows:
1. Assess the feasibility and sustainability of the proposed Shewula tourism
development.
• Assess the environmental sustainability of the proposed Shewula tourism
development;
• Assess the environmental legislation in Swaziland and what is legally required
for the environmental assessment of the proposed tourism development; and
• Determine requirements for the effective management of the tourism
development and evaluate possible models for the operation of the tourism
development.
2. Identify the community's needs regarding capacity-building for the sustainable
operation of the Shewula tourism development and participation in the Lubombo
Conservancy.
3. Make recommendations for further action, based on the findings of the study,
which aim to ensure project sustainability through the effective implementation and
management of the Shewula Reserve as part of the Lubombo Conservancy, the
tourism development, and associated tourism activities.
It was agreed that the study would run for a period of 18 weeks, from mid January
1999 to 31 May 1999.
1
The traditional leadership structures in Shewula include Chief Mbandzamane Sifundza (the Chief of the community of
Shewula) and the Libandla (the inner council of advisers to the Chief).
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