Recently, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks through the Minister of Environment and Tourism notified the public that with effect from April 1, 2025, there is going to be a 24-hour road opening across Chobe National Park from Kasane to the CECT (Chobe Enclave Community Trust) villages.
This announcement received both positive and negative comments from the public. My first question was that following up on the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Report that was carried for the road. If it does not exist more also that the road might have been developed before the enactment of the Environmental Assessment (EA) Act Cap 65:07, was there any preliminary assessment undertaken before the announcement.
There are advantages and disadvantages that goes with the 24-hour opening of the road. Some of the advantages include: i) Improved Connectivity & Economic Growth with the CECT Villages. A 24-hour road would enhance access between Kasane and the CECT villages, leading to better trade and business opportunities.
Villagers could easily access markets, healthcare, and education in Kasane. ii) Convenience for Locals & Tourists; People traveling at night would no longer have to wait until the park gates open. In addition, there will be more accessibility for tourism-related businesses, benefiting the local economy. iii) Faster Emergency Response will be achieved. Medical emergencies at night would be easier to handle, as ambulances could move freely between the villages and Kasane. iv) Reduced Congestion During the Day. Currently, restricted hours mean high traffic during opening times. A 24-hour road would spread out traffic, reducing congestion.
The disadvantages of the 24-hour opening include: i) Environmental and wildlife Disruptions. Increased vehicle movement at night could disturb wildlife, leading to habitat destruction and stress. We are likely to experience more roadkill accidents, as animals like elephants and antelope roam at night. ii ) Poaching and Security Risks. A 24-hour road could make it easier for poachers to access the park under cover of darkness.
In this regard, there is a likelihood of increased illegal activities like smuggling and bushmeat hunting. iii) Tourism Experience Could Decline. That is, the wild, untouched nature of Chobe is a key attraction. More traffic at night might reduce the exclusivity and appeal of the park for high-end tourists. Iv) High Maintenance Costs & Safety Issues. Road upkeep would be costly, as more vehicles, including heavy trucks, would cause wear and tear. Night driving in a wildlife area is dangerous, increasing the risk of accidents involving both vehicles and animals.
Finally, now that the road is going to open 24 hours, it is necessary to make some recommendations, these include the following: i) there is need for Strict speed limits & animal crossings to minimize accidents, ii) Security checkpoints to monitor poaching risks need to be maintained alone the road, iii) the to have continuous monitoring of the road making the necessary recommendations.
Most of the comments which did not support the idea of opening the road for 24 hours centred around wildlife management issues especially poaching and road accidents. It is from this background that stakeholder consultation should undertaken time and again to meet the needs of all interest groups and achieve sustainability in the area.
