ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA



|ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA |

|Bovu Island Campsite |

|Kazungula District |

|Southern Province |

| |

|Environmental Impact Study |

|August 2003 |

CONTENTS

BOVU ISLAND CAMPSITE ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT BRIEF (EPB)

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Aims and Objectives 1

1.3 Regional Setting 1

1.4 Management Guidelines and Policy 1

1.5 Site Location, Project Description and Construction 2

6. Planning Consent and Public Consultation 2

2. EnviroNmental Setting

2.1 Climate 5

2.2 Geology and Hydrology 5

2.3 Topography and Soils 5

2.4 Vegetation 6

2.5 Fauna 6

2.6 Aesthetic Environment 7

2.7 Socio-Economics 7

3. EnviroNmental Impact Identification

3.1 Introduction 7

3.2 Impact Analysis 8

3.3 Mitigation 9

3.4 Summary 9

4. Impacts and mitigation Measures identified

4.1 Operational Phase 10

4.2 Impacts During Decommissioning Stage 10

5. Summary of Main Impacts and Environmental Management Plan

5.1 Summary of Main Impacts 20

5.2 Auditing 21

5.3 Environmental Management Plan 21

Appendix 1 Communications - Copies of Letters

Appendix 2 Photographs of the Project

Appendix 3 Maps

Appendix 4 Costings

Appendix 5 Plant Species List

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) requested an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) from the Directors of Bovu Island Campsite, to be submitted before 30 August 2003. (See Appendix 1 for the letter.)

This follows on from a verbal request in July 2003 for an Environmental Project Brief (EPB), which was accompanied by a two-page outline of information required. (See Appendix 1 for a copy of the outline for the EPB.) No deadline was given for the submission of the EPB.

During a telephone conversation between a Director of the company, Mr. Brett Saunders, and Mr. Brian Mwila of the ECZ, on 28 August 2003, it was ascertained that submission of a full EIA would override the need for an EPB. However, subsequently it was agreed that this document, an EPB, was the appropriate type of information to be submitted.

Bovu Island Campsite has already been constructed and is operational, being in its second year of a twenty-five-year lease from Kazungula District Council.

1.2 Aims and Objectives

The objective of an EIA is to, “...define and evaluate the foreseeable immediate and long-term effects on the physical environment, public health and welfare of the population affected by a specific project during its entire cycle and following completion.” (World Bank, 1984).

The specific aims of this EPB/EIA are:

0. To identify and evaluate the environmental impacts that have been caused by the construction and operation, and may be caused by the continued operation, of the camp.

1. To identify and describe procedures and activities that will mitigate adverse impacts and enhance any beneficial effects.

2. To make recommendations on how mitigation measures should be incorporated into the operation and decommissioning stages of the project as appropriate.

3. To produce an environmental management plan that summarises the impacts and mitigation measures in a formalised way, and designates responsibility for each of them. This will help ensure that items identified in the EIA are taken forward and incorporated into the operation and decommissioning stages as appropriate. It will also incorporate recommendations for on-going monitoring.

1.3 Regional Setting

Bovu Island is situated in the Kazungula District of Southern Province, Zambia. It is accessed from the main Livingstone to Kazungula road, from which a small bush track leads to Lizazi, the nearest village to Bovu Island. This track is 41km west of Livingstone, and is 11km long. The camp is thus easily accessible from Livingstone, one of Zambia’s major tourist centres. Most visitors to the island visit Victoria Falls and many participate in adventure sport activities such as white-water rafting in the gorge, booked through companies in Livingstone.

1.4 Management Guidelines and Policy

The company has been issued with a twenty-five-year lease from Kazungula District Council. A receipt was given at the time of payment, and annually when each payment is made, but no instructions or policy guidelines have been issued from the Council to Bovu Island Campsite.

The Management has its own policy of minimum clearance of bush, using only pre-existing paths, no collection of firewood, no starting fires except in designated fireplaces, careful use of water, proper use of septic tanks, and regular refuse collection and disposal. In addition, no new access roads were made to reach the island and the existing bush track is used by many other people and vehicles in the area.

These Guidelines and Policy have been compiled by the Resident Director who has drawn on fourteen years’ experience in safari camp development on the islands in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

1.5 Site Location, Project Description and Construction

1.5.1 Location

The site is the whole of Bovu Island, co-ordinates 17°50S, 25°30’E. (See Map 1 in Appendix 3.) This is west of Livingstone and east of Kazungula, in the Southern Province of Zambia. The island is 1.2 km long and 150 metres wide at its widest point. There are seasonal fluctuations in the river level, reducing the exposed surface area of the island at times of high water, but this affects none of the camping sites or facilities. All camp buildings have been kept within approximately one-third of the island. (See Map 2 in Appendix 3.)

1.5.2 Project Description

The development for guests includes:

4. Sleeping accommodation in tents, which can be the guests’ own tents or can be provided by the camp. The camp’s tents are erected in small clearings under shade trees or within rainproof reed shelters. There are eight of these tent shelters and sixteen open camping spaces.

5. Two flush toilets with septic tanks, positioned in the middle of the island

6. One pit latrine used for emergency purposes should the water pump fail

7. Two showers heated by firewood

8. Four showers heated by solar power

9. A kitchen providing simple breakfasts, lunches and dinners. A gas-operated fridge-freezer is used for storing meat, fruit and vegetables.

10. A self-catering kitchen with basic utensils

11. A bar with a gas-operated fridge

12. A mud-and-thatch shelter with tables, benches and cushions for leisure activities such as reading.

Facilities for members of staff who require overnight accommodation include:

13. A mud-and-thatch bedroom

14. A pit latrine

15. Access to the showers

16. Use of the kitchen

Daytime staff members have access to:

17. A pit latrine

18. Mud-and-thatch shelters for eating lunch or resting

19. Standpipes for water

Other camp buildings include:

20. A mud-and-thatch storeroom for tents, bedding and extra kitchen equipment

21. A tool storeroom

(See Map 2 for the layout of the above facilities on the island.)

1.5.3 Construction Materials

A review of the main construction materials was carried out. This is summarised below. Local materials were utilised in the construction, as far as was practically possible. These were harvested from Chief Sekute’s area of jurisdiction, with permission from the Chief. The same materials are used in camp maintenance.

22. Supporting poles are made of suitably sized mopane poles.

23. Roofs are of local thatch/grasses, some of which are woven into matting.

24. Walls are of mud and wood, mud plastered, and coloured with local dyes, but some are of reed construction, tied with twine.

25. Fittings are made from reeds and small poles for simple shelving in the sleeping shelters. Kitchen and storeroom shelving, cupboards and work surfaces are made from materials purchased in Livingstone. This includes timber, nails, zinc, etc.

The materials selected are permanent enough to survive several years of the 25-year lease of the island without major renovation. However, on-going maintenance will be required throughout the lease period, as organic materials are susceptible to weathering and decay.

1.5.4 Construction Method

In order to assess the impact of the project, it is necessary to understand the main construction activities that took place, and consider maintenance. Therefore, a brief list is presented below:

26. Minimal bush-clearing for small camping areas and buildings

27. Raking of paths along the paths, not sideways. These paths, which provide access to the facilities within the camp, were pre-existing, established by monkeys and hippopotamus.

28. General building activities, including erection of single storey structures, mainly of poles and thatch or reeds, and the maintenance thereof.

29. Earthwork activities to dig holes for septic tanks, pit latrines and water reticulation. This did not involve machinery but was done manually. Water pipes were laid under tree roots, instead of cutting the roots.

30. Erection of water tank and installation of water pump with a petrol six- kilowatt generator, housed within a shelter to reduce noise pollution.

31. Use of natural materials in the construction, most of which were purchased locally.

1.6 Planning Consent and Public Consultation

In establishing Bovu Island Campsite, the procedures below were followed:

32. Consultation with the Lizazi village headman, Mr. Steven Lizazi

33. Consultation with the Late Acting Chief, Albert Sekute

34. Meeting with Chief Sekute and Mr. Steven Lizazi

35. Submission of letter to Kazungula District Council, applying for a lease and enclosing a letter of approval from Chief Sekute

36. Preliminary meeting with Kazungula District Council, which issued instructions to the Directors to have surveys done of Bovu Island

37. Surveyors completed the survey and submitted a report and maps

38. Full meeting with Kazungula District Council, submitting surveyor’s report and maps

39. Approval of Bovu Island Campsite by Kazungula District Council and twenty-five-year lease issued and paid for. (This is paid annually.)

40. Building commenced in 2001 and was completed in 2002.

From the above, it can be seen that there was consultation with representatives of the nearby villages, before the camp was established. The camp is viewed positively in these villages as it has brought employment to the area. Those presently employed were previously out of work or relied on subsistence farming and fishing.

Staff members come from several villages along the riverbank, and thus there is a distribution of increased income throughout the area rather than just the nearest village.

The location of the camp on an island, rather than on the mainland, greatly reduces the influence of tourists on the traditional cultural lifestyle of those villages.

Although the camp’s vehicles are used largely for transporting guests to and from the island’s harbour, the families of staff members are assisted with transport to the nearest clinic or hospital in the case of medical emergencies.

2. EnviroNmental Setting

2.1 Climate

There are three main seasons in this part of the country:

May to August – cool and dry, with daytime temperatures of 20°C to 25°C and night-time temperatures as low as 4°C.

September to October/November – hot and dry, with daytime temperatures rising to 40°C.

November/December to April – warm and wet. When the rains come, the temperatures drop by several degrees, and the humidity rises. The rainfall in this, southern, part of Zambia is low, with perhaps 150 to 200mm of rain in each of December, January and February.

2.2 Geology and Hydrology

Bovu Island formed by separation from the mainland, rather than from accretion of organic debris on a floating mat of reeds or papyrus, as many other small islands form. A small channel developed and cut off the island. This channel is approximately 50 metres wide.

The underlying rock of the island is basalt, as is the Zambezi river bed all along this stretch of the river.

Highest water levels are recorded at the end of March, falling to the lowest annual levels in November. The water table was measured at a depth of six metres.

2.3 Topography and Soils

2.3.1 Topography

Bovu Island is situated in the Zambezi River, close to the Zambian bank, 50 metres from the mainland. The river at this point is wide, deep and fast flowing, although there are seasonal fluctuations as outlined in 2.2 above.

The river forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and opposite Bovu Island is Zimbabwe’s Matetsi Safari Area. On that side of the river, the bank is steep and covered with mixed woodland. On the Zambian side, there is a fringe of riverine woodland, behind which is a flat area of mopane woodland and several grass-covered pans. North of that, the land rises gradually to the level of the main Kazungula-Livingstone road, and is heavily wooded.

The island itself is at an altitude of 950m and is almost flat. In the middle, however, there is a slightly raised area, and at the western end there is a seasonally inundated floodplain. An interesting feature is the distribution of termite mounds throughout the length of Bovu.

2.3.2 Soils

On soil maps, the island lies within the Kalahari sand mantle of southern Africa, and a visit to the island confirmed this. A soil profile of three metres deep showed little variation, although there was a thin but rich layer of humus in the topsoil. The soil on the island has poor water-holding capacity.

2.4 Vegetation (See Appendix 5 for Species List)

The vegetation on and around Bovu consists of five main types of association:

41. Riverine woodland, mainly Syzygium guineense, Diospyros mespiliformis, Mimusops zeyheri, with shrubs such as Salix mucronata and Rhus quartiniana, and creepers and vines such as Artabotrys brachypetalus and Rhoicissus.

42. Seasonally inundated floodplain, with recumbent herbaceous plants and grass species flowering from January to March.

43. Open bushland/thicket in the centre of the island, consisting of Erythroxylum zambesiacum, Combretum spp., Pteleopsis myrtifolia, Terminalia spp., Acacia nigrescens, Commiphora edulis, and good grass cover in the rainy season. Aloe chabaudii and Sansieveria pearsonii are found in shady areas of this part of the island.

44. Mature woodland towards the eastern end, with almost no ground cover at any time of year, due to low light intensity below the canopy. Tree species include Mimusops zeyheri, Garcinia livingstonei, and Kigelia africana.

45. Aquatic plants such as Nymphaea, Nymphoides, Potamogeton, Salvinia, and Trapa natans.

2.5 Fauna

In the river surrounding the island are crocodiles, otters, hippopotamus, terrapins, frogs, fish, aquatic birds such as the African finfoot, and a wide range of invertebrates.

On the island itself there are genets, cane rats, mole rats and other rodents, and perhaps twenty vervet monkeys, although no detailed study of the monkeys has been completed. The hippos come out on to the land to graze at night, and otters have been seen on many parts of the island.

2.6 Aesthetic Environment

All of the camp buildings are in keeping with the local traditional style, being made of reeds, mud, thatch and mopane poles. From the river, it is hard to see the tent shelters as they have been positioned within the riverine woodland.

(See Photographs 1 to 5.)

2.7 Socio-Economics

The economic base of the communities living in the areas adjacent to the island is based on subsistence agriculture and fishing.

Tourism in the area is focused on Livingstone, and Bovu Island Campsite provides an easily accessible alternative to accommodation in the town.

Bovu Island employs the following members of staff from nearby villages:

46. Three builders who carry out day-to-day maintenance

47. One groundsman

48. One maid/cleaner to take care of laundry, the ablutions and the sleeping shelters

49. Three paddlers who transport all guests, staff and supplies by mekolo on and off the island. They also take guests on guided walks and cruises.

50. One driver

51. One camp manager/chef

52. One barman

The villages from which the staff are employed include Lizazi, Mandiya, Mufana and Siakantu, and the manager is from Livingstone. It is expected that staff numbers should double, as the camp gains popularity and Zambian tourism increases.

3. Environmental Impact Identification

3.1 Introduction

This section identifies the impacts resulting from the project. Along the top axis is a list of project activities or features. Down the side axis is a list of environmental parameters considered in this assessment. The Impact Identification Matrix is shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Environmental Impact Identification Matrix

Key: C = during Construction Phase; O = during Operational Phase

| |Access Road |Paths on |Buildings |Waste Management|Water Supply |River Cruises |Staff & Guests |

| | |Island | | | | | |

|Management Guidelines |C O |C O |C O |C O |C O |O |C O |

|Vegetation | |C O |C O |C O |C O | |C O |

|Fauna | |C O |C O |C O |C O | |C O |

|Ground Water/Soils | |C O | |C O |C O | |C O |

|River Water | | | |C O |C O |O |C O |

|Air Quality | | | |O |O | | |

|Noise |C O | | | |O | |C O |

|Land Use | | O | O | | | |O |

|Env’t. Health |C O | | |O |O | |O |

|Visual | | |C O | | | | |

|Socio-economics | | |C O | | | |O |

|Natural Resources | | |C O | |C O | |C O |

3.2 Impact Analysis

Each of the identified impacts was analysed systematically as follows:

Impact Prediction: This involved the qualitative description of the impacts of the project on the environmental elements, as shown in Table 1.

Impact Significance: The assessments included the description of sources or causes of impacts, and their severity and significance. The significance of the impacts was determined by the interaction between the severity of the impact and the value of the resource affected or the sensitivity of the potential receptors.

The severity of the impact is determined by the degree of change to the environment, and includes consideration of the following factors:

53. The degree of certainty of the impact

54. The impact duration

55. The spatial influence of the impact

56. Whether the impact is a threat to environmental and health standards and objectives.

The significance of the impacts has been graded medium, low and insignificant. Impacts can be either positive or negative. A significance has been given to each impact after recommended mitigation measures are implemented (the Impact Significance after Mitigation).

A medium impact is likely to be important as a local issue, but is unlikely to be of significance in the decision-making process.

A low impact may be a local issue, which will be of little significance in the decision-making process. Nevertheless, there may be mitigation measures that will reduce a low impact further (if it is a negative impact). An accumulation of low impacts on a particular receptor or resource is unlikely to give rise to a medium impact affecting the decision-making process.

An insignificant impact will be a local issue, but although there may be some impact it is unlikely that it will be noticeable or measurable. There are not likely to be mitigation measures for an insignificant impact.

It should be noted that if an impact is identified as positive, it can be enhanced (or made more positive) by implementing the mitigation measures or recommendations made for the impact.

3.3 Mitigation

Mitigation measures and recommendations are suggested for the identified impacts, with the aim of avoiding or removing the impact completely, rendering it non-significant or reducing its magnitude. For each identified impact, mitigation measures consistent with best practice in their respective field have been proposed. The development of mitigation options takes into account the following criteria:

57. The effectiveness of different technical solutions

58. Their feasibility in operational terms

59. Their cost.

3.4 Summary

The impacts identified above have been expanded upon using the methodology described and are included in Section 4. A summary of the main impacts and the management plan are found in Section 5.

4. Impacts and mitigation Measures identified

4.1 Construction Phase

Although construction of the camp has already taken place, this section takes a retrospective look, in brief, at the impacts on the environment that may have occurred during erection of buildings, establishment of a water supply and sewerage system, and clearing of ground for camping sites.

4.1.1 Impact on Vegetation and Fauna

Pre-existing paths were used for access to the different areas of the island. No trees were removed to make space for buildings or for water and sewerage systems. Only small shrubs were removed and only where necessary. After construction, the ground was replanted with the same plants as were removed.

All building and excavation of earth was done manually, without the use of machinery.

Camping sites were chosen in areas that were already bare or nearly so. For example, under large trees there are often patches with no ground cover, due to low light intensity. These areas are ideal for campers as they offer good shade.

Thus, the impact on vegetation and fauna was low, although negative.

4.1.2 Impact on Ground Water and Soils

Excavation of soils was carried out for septic tanks and soakaways, and small holes were dug for putting in poles to support buildings.

The builders kept to paths as much as possible during the construction phase so soil erosion was negligible.

A pit latrine was put in at the start of construction, for the building staff to use during working hours.

4.1.3 Impact on Air Quality, Noise and Landscape

As all construction was done manually, there was little additional noise, apart from the movement of a vehicle bringing building materials to and from the harbour. The vehicle would also have given out exhaust fumes as it travelled to and from the harbour, but this was not a constant activity. The materials were piled on the riverbank opposite this access point and taken across by mekolo (wooden dugout canoes).

4.1.4 Socio-economics and Natural Resources

During the construction phase, local villagers supplied materials such as grass, reeds, thatch, poles and mud. Builders and paddlers and a night watchman were employed over the nine months of this phase. Both these activities brought income to the area.

4.2 Operational Phase

The section below considers impacts and mitigation measures during the operational phase of the project.

4.2.1 Management Guidelines and Policy

It is important that the operation of a camp is consistent with the Management’s approach. Guests and members of staff should be aware of, and should adhere to, the guidelines for reducing negative impact on the environment. If these are not adhered to, there could be an impact as follows:

Impact Significance: Medium, Negative

Degree of Certainty: Definite. There have been cases where guests have collected firewood from the island, for example.

Duration: Long-term

Spatial Significance: The island and nearby riverbank on mainland.

Mitigation Measures already in place and Further Recommendations

1. Members of staff are informed and reminded of guidelines regarding use of paths, water, firewood and waste disposal.

1. Guests are informed, on arrival on the island, of those guidelines.

1. An improvement could be the production of an information leaflet and/or notice on information board, reinforcing these guidelines.

Impact Significance after Mitigation: Insignificant, Negative.

The existence of Management Guidelines and Policy has a Positive Impact, increasing awareness of the sensitivity of the environment, for staff and guests alike.

4.2.2 Vegetation

During the construction phase, there was some clearing of vegetation to make space for camp buildings, water reticulation and septic tanks. However, this was kept to a minimum, removing small shrubs, and no large trees were removed. Trampling was also kept to a minimum as the builders used pre-existing paths, wherever possible.

For the operational stage the main impacts on vegetation have been identified as follows:

60. Maintenance of clear paths and camping sites

61. Deliberate or accidental introduction of alien species by movement of people on and off the island.

62. Keeping the bush clear around buildings to reduce infestation by insects, birds and snakes.

Impact Significance : Medium, Negative

Degree of Certainty : Clearing of paths and the bush near buildings is Definite. Introduction of alien species is Possible, but this has not been recorded so far.

Duration: Long-term

Spatial influence : Camp buildings, paths and harbours.

Mitigation Measures already in place and Further Recommendations

1. There is no deliberate cultivation of foreign plants, either for decorative purposes or for food.

2. The vegetation is being monitored for species composition and spatial distribution, and vegetation condition (e.g. amount of damage) on an annual basis, starting before the onset of the rains. This monitoring programme started in August 2002.

3. Raking takes place along the paths, not sideways, to reduce the impact on plants at the edges. In addition, open areas of ground are not raked. This ensures that fallen leaves can decay naturally as part of the nutrient cycle.

4. Monitoring of vegetation could be enhanced by the use of fixed photographs.

Impact Significance after Mitigation: Low, Negative

There could also be a Positive, Long-term Impact from the increased knowledge of the flora of this island.

4.2.3 Fauna

Potential impacts have been identified below.

63. Increase in disturbance to small mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates through increased numbers of visitors.

64. Food waste and fresh food in the kitchens are attractive to the population of vervet monkeys on the island, and could change their natural feeding behaviour.

Impact Significance: Medium, Negative

Degree of Certainty: Probable

Duration: Long-term

Spatial Influence: Bovu Island

Mitigation Measures already in place and Further Recommendations:

1. Guests are instructed to stay on paths, avoid littering, and to use firewood provided in designated places to avoid disturbing the wildlife.

2. Fresh food is stored in indoor cupboards and campers are instructed to store their food in the campsite or main kitchen, not in their tents or shelters.

3. Rubbish bins in the campsite have lids that cannot be removed by monkeys.

4. Food waste is collected and disposed of regularly.

Impact Significance after Mitigation: Low, Negative

4.2.4 Ground Water and Soils

Potential impacts are:

65. Potential pollution from septic tanks and soakaways

66. Erosion from increased numbers of visitors to the island.

Impact Significance: Medium, Negative

Degree of Certainty: Possible

Duration: Long-term

Spatial Influence: Area around camp buildings

Mitigation Measures already in place and Further Recommendations:

1. 1. Septic tank blockages are removed as and when required.

2. Soakaways are located in sandy soils with dense vegetation. Effluents are taken up by mature trees and shrubs, rather than percolating downwards.

3.The toilets have signs for guests to read, clearly stating which materials may not be put down the toilet.

4. Guests and staff members stick to pre-existing paths, which are narrow (wide enough for only one person).

Impact Significance after Mitigation Measures: Low, Negative

4.2.5 River Water

Potential impacts of the operation of the camp on river water are:

67. Effluents entering the river.

68. Use of water from river for washing, drinking and cooking purposes.

69. Cruises for guests.

Impact Significance: Medium, Negative for effluents

Low, Negative for use of river water

Insignificant, Negative for cruises.

Degree of Certainty: Definite for Use of River Water and for River Cruises

Possible for effluents

Duration: Long-term

Spatial Influence: The river in the vicinity of the island.

Mitigation Measures already in place and Further Recommendations:

1. Soakaways are in the middle of the island, not close to the water’s edge.

2. Soakaways are in sandy soils and dense vegetation, so effluents are taken up by mature trees and shrubs, instead of percolating downwards.

3. All taps and pipes are checked regularly for drips and leaks.

4.Guests are instructed to use as little water as possible when showering.

5. The campsite showers use ten-litre buckets, which limits the volume of water used per shower.

5. All cruises on the river take place in wooden dugout canoes (mekolo), not in motor boats.

Impact after Mitigation: Insignificant, Negative

4.2.6 Air Quality

There are three areas from which unpleasant gases or odours may arise:

70. Septic tanks and soakaways

71. The burning of refuse in a deep pit on the mainland

72. The operation of the generator, which drives the water pump

Impact Significance: Medium, Negative

Degree of Certainty: Possible, for septic tanks and soakaways

Definite for the burning of refuse and the operation of the generator

Duration: Long-term

Spatial Influence: In vicinity of ablutions and kitchen, on the nearby mainland, and at the water pump

Mitigation Measures already in place and Further Recommendations:

1.Septic tanks and associated piping is unblocked as and when required. No unpleasant odours have been reported during the sixteen months of the operation.

2.Ensure monitoring, by instructing staff members to report odours.

3. Burning of refuse is not done.

4. Ensure that the generator and water pump are maintained regularly to reduce emission of unpleasant fumes.

Impact Significance after Mitigation: Low, Negative

4.2.7 Noise

Potential impacts related to noise are:

73. Additional noise due to camp activities such as water pump/generator and music in the bar

74. Additional noise due to human activities

75. Additional noise due to departure and arrival of camp vehicle.

Impact Significance: Low, Negative

Degree of Certainty: Definite

Duration: Varies with time of day; quiet at night when staff and guests sleep.

Spatial Influence: The island and nearby river bank

Mitigation Measures already in place and Further Recommendations:

1. The water pump is housed in a shelter and is not close to the nearest village.

2. The water pump is on for a maximum of one hour per day.

3. The bar is situated on the opposite side of the island from the villages, so the music is not usually heard there.

4. Human activities on the island are manual, not mechanical. On most occasions, there is more noise reaching the camp from the villages than vice versa.

5. The camp vehicle usually departs from the access point on the mainland only once a day at 10.00 and returns at 15.00 or 16.00.

Impact Significance after Mitigation: Low, Negative

4.2.8 Land Use

Prior to the construction and opening of the camp, Bovu Island was uninhabited but some timber was removed occasionally by local villagers. Therefore, it can be perceived that the establishment of this project has had a beneficial influence, allowing the woodland to regenerate.

Impact Significance: Medium, Positive

Degree of Certainty: Definite

Duration: Long-term

Spatial Influence: Bovu Island

Further Recommendations:

1. Ensure that bush clearing is kept to a minimum and adhere to the Management’s guidelines and policy of minimising all damage to the biophysical environment.

1. Enhance the current protection offered to the island, by informing the village headman and other interested parties about plants of interest found on Bovu.

1. Produce a leaflet or booklet about the natural history of the island for guests to read while visiting.

Impact Significance after Mitigation: Medium, Positive

4.2.9 Environmental Health

During the operation of the camp, the environmental health of staff members and guests should be safeguarded. The following impacts have been identified:

76. Refuse can cause a health hazard, as well as attracting wild animals.

77. Possible contamination of drinking water supplies with sewage, causing various ailments and diseases.

78. The camp is in a potentially malarial area, which will impact on the health of the staff and guests, if precautions are not taken.

79. Lack of hygiene in the camp, especially in the kitchen area, can cause illness.

Impact Significance: Medium, Negative

Degree of Certainty: Definite for malaria, Possible for others

Duration: Long-term

Spatial Influence: The camp and nearby villages

Mitigation Measures already in place and Further Recommendations:

1. Refuse is collected from bins each day.

1. Septic tanks and soakaways are located in the middle of the island, not close to the water’s edge.

1. Soakaways are located in sandy soils with dense vegetation. Thus, effluents are taken up by trees instead of percolating downwards.

1. Every day, water is boiled for fifteen minutes then stored in a covered vessel, and is made available to staff and guests for drinking. In addition, mineral water is available in the bar for guests.

1. Guests are informed, on arrival, that there is a possibility of malaria being in the area, and are advised to apply mosquito repellent from late afternoon onwards, repeating the application after several hours.

1. All the camp’s tents are mosquito-proof.

1. Mosquito coils are lit in the evening around the bar, where the guests sit.

1. The camp uses the services of a doctor in Livingstone to diagnose and treat suspected cases of malaria in guests and in the staff who are required to stay overnight on the island.

1. Regular procedures for hygiene in a camp kitchen are adhered to.

1. Monitoring of health and hygiene is carried out by Management.

1. Further improvement of refuse disposal could be made, by separating plastics, cans, paper and food waste. Glass jars and bottles are already being re-used or returned to Livingstone. Kazungula District Council is aware of the need for a central site for waste disposal for tourist lodges and camps located along the river.

Impact Significance after Mitigation: Low, Negative.

4.2.10 Landscape and Visual Impact

Bovu Island is an attractive, wooded island in the Zambezi River, and it is important that the camp is sympathetic to the natural environment and to the inhabitants of nearby villages, and draws the attention of guests to the beauty of the area.

Impact Significance: Medium, Positive

Degree of Certainty: Definite

Duration: Long-term

Spatial Influence: The island and nearby villages

Mitigation Measures already in place and Further recommendations:

1. The camp buildings have been built with materials available locally, such as grass, reeds, mud and poles.

1. Buildings are hidden from view, or nearly so, from the river and nearby villages. (See Photographs 1 to 5.)

1. The style of architecture mirrors traditional buildings, having mud walls and thatched roofs, and using reed matting for blinds and other non-structural features. All buildings have one storey only.

1. There has been minimum disturbance to natural features, and many of the buildings are designed to draw attention to large trees and river views.

1. All maintenance should continue to be carried out using traditional materials.

1. Any expansion of the camp should follow the above guidelines.

Impact Significance after Mitigation: Medium, Positive

4.2.11 Socio-Economics

The project has the potential to improve the socio-economic standing of the communities near the island. The positive socio-economic aspects should be accentuated wherever possible. A number of positive effects that have already been felt by surrounding communities include:

80. increased employment opportunities

81. people supplying the camp with materials for maintaining buildings, and tomatoes, fish, and vegetables occasionally.

Impact Significance: Medium, Positive

Degree of Certainty: Definite

Duration: Long-term

Spatial Influence: Nearby villages

Measures already in place and Further Recommendations:

1. All members of staff are Zambian, and most are employed from nearby villages. The Directors are committed to empowerment of local people.

2. There is continued consultation with the local headman regarding relevant issues.

3. Wherever possible, materials for maintenance of buildings are purchased from individuals in nearby villages, as are several food items.

4. There is a plan to provide each paddler/guide with a pair of binoculars and identification guidebooks on birds, trees, reptiles, etc. At the moment, they share those resources.

4.2.12 Natural Resources

During the operation of the camp, there is use of a number of natural resources. In particular, the following impacts have been identified:

82. Use of water for human consumption

83. Use of natural materials for the maintenance of buildings

84. Use of fuel for vehicle and water pump/generator.

85. Use of domestic gas for fridges

86. Use of firewood at nightly fireplace and for one set of ablutions

87. Use of charcoal for cooking

Impact Significance: Medium, Negative

Degree of Certainty: Definite

Duration: Long-term

Spatial Influence: Vicinity of the island

Mitigation Measures already in place and Further Recommendations:

1. Water conservation is encouraged.

1. Water reticulation is maintained adequately.

1. There are few buildings on the island (see Map 2) and they require low-level maintenance.

1. Solar power is used to supply electricity for radio communications, music in the bar, and for heating the water in the campsite showers.

1. No firewood is collected from the island.

1. Charcoal and firewood are purchased locally.

1. Check that guests are following Management’s guidelines in careful use of water, firewood and charcoal.

Impact Significance after Mitigation: Low, Negative

4.3 Impacts During Decommissioning Stage

The lease period for the site is twenty-five years. Therefore, at the end of the lease period the camp and its associated infrastructure may require decommissioning. Recommendations for decommissioning of each of the elements of the camp are given below.

4.3.1 Access Road

The access road to the island is a pre-existing bush track used by many people for access to nearby villages. No changes have been made to the road. Therefore, no action is required if decommissioning the camp.

4.3.2 Campsite and Associated Facilities

The campsite and associated facilities have been constructed with grass, reeds, thatch, mud and poles. Therefore, by their very nature, they will be easy to remove and will leave little evidence of their existence. However, recommendations are given below to ensure that there is as little impact as possible to the environment after decommissioning.

88. Any exotic plants that may have inadvertently become established should be removed and burned.

89. Any contaminated materials should be removed off site and disposed of in an environmentally acceptable way.

90. All materials taken off site should be reused or recycled wherever possible.

.

4.3.3 Water Supply and Waste Disposal

The following recommendations are made with regard to water supply and waste disposal:

91. It is recommended that underground pipes be pulled out carefully, as they consist of plastic polypipe buried at a depth of only 200mm below the surface.

92. Septic tank wastes will degrade naturally if left in situ. Alternatively, wastes can be transported off site. Septic tank structures should be broken up and backfilled, firstly with subsoil then topsoil.

93. Any remaining solid waste should be removed off site.

94. All equipment at the water pump site should be removed.

95. When the septic tanks require to be emptied, Livingstone District Council should be requested to come to the island to pump them out.

4.3.4 Staff Redeployment

On decommissioning of the lodge, there will be a body of trained staff whose skills should be utilised. Where possible, it is recommended that the staff be re-deployed in similar roles at other camps, or help provided to find them other suitable positions within the industry.

5. Summary of Main Impacts and Environmental Management Plan

5.1 Summary of Main Impacts

The main impacts identified during the EPB, with the most important mitigation measures are summarised below:

Impact on Vegetation

The introduction of alien species is a potential impact. This should be mitigated by careful control and monitoring and by dealing quickly with any alien species as and when they are discovered.

Protection offered to the vegetation by the presence of the camp can be enhanced by informing guests, staff and local villagers of plants of interest.

Socio - Economic Impacts

The operation of the lodge has a number of potential positive socio-economic impacts for the area, and these should be accentuated wherever possible. Measures implemented should include use of local labour, local materials, and using local enterprises to supply the camp.

Impacts on Natural Resources

A number of natural resources are utilised. The major materials used are thatch, grass, reeds, poles and mud for building maintenance. The impact of using these materials can be mitigated by ensuring they come from sustainable sources.

Use of solar power where possible will minimise the use of non-renewable energy sources.

Disposal of Waste

Kazungula District Council is newly formed and it has yet to inform the Company of the location of the new dumping site within the District.

In the meantime, selected burning of food and paper waste in a supervised manner, together with disposal of cans and returnable glass to Livingstone, is appropriate.

Livingstone General Hospital has given consent for the camp to take waste from the sanitary bins in toilets to the hospital incinerator whenever necessary. (See letter in Appendix 1.)

5.2 Auditing

If the recommendations and mitigation measures outlined in this report are to be effectively implemented, regular monitoring of the management plan below should be undertaken during the operational stage. This will help to ensure that the negative environmental impacts of the project are minimised and the opportunities are maximised.

5.3 Environmental Management Plan

Based on the impact analysis exercise, an Environmental Management Plan has been formulated to implement mitigation measures identified and enhance the positive impacts of the project. The plan is outlined in Table 2.

Environmental impact management is principally an integrated effort of utilisation, planning, maintenance, supervision, control, recovery and development of the environment. The success of the plan very much depends on monitoring of the implementation of the mitigation measures contained within it throughout the project.

The plan lists, in brief, the management objectives, and the mitigation measures and recommendations that have been identified in the previous sections of the report. For easy reference, the section number for each objective is included in the table. Against each action the body responsible for undertaking the action and monitoring the progress is scheduled. This allows all parties to be aware of their responsibilities in relation to the plan, and allows easier monitoring as the project progresses.

Table 2 – Environmental Management Plan for Operation of Camp

Key: CM = Camp Management/Directors; BE = Botanist/Ecologist

| |Management Objective |Mitigation Measure or Recommendation to be Implemented |By |

| |To ensure that camp is run in accordance with Management Guidelines and|Produce information leaflet to ensure that staff and |CM |

| |Policy (section 4.2.1) |guests are aware of these | |

| |To ensure that activities of camp do not impact unacceptably on |Continue to develop and implement appropriate survey and|CM BE |

| |vegetation and fauna of island (sections 4.2.2, 4.2.3) |monitoring programme for the island | |

| |To ensure that alien plant species are not introduced to the island |Assess possible sources of alien plant species and |CM BE |

| |(section 4.2.2) |incorporate monitoring process into vegetation survey | |

| |To increase awareness of local flora and fauna (sections 4.2.2, 4.2.3, |Produce booklet on natural history of the island |CM BE |

| |4.2.8) | | |

| |To ensure that sewerage system impacts on ground water, soils, |Ensure that sewerage system is monitored by staff. |CM |

| |vegetation, fauna, air quality, staff and guests, are minimised |Include information on proper use of septic tanks in | |

| |(sections 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.2.6, 4.2.9) |leaflet for staff and guests | |

| |To minimise impact on air quality; to minimise noise (sections 4.2.6, |Ensure that water pump and generator and vehicle are |CM |

| |4.2.7) |maintained adequately. | |

| | |Continue to restrict use of water pump to one hour per | |

| | |day, or as little as possible. | |

| |To ensure that a high standard of environmental health is maintained |Continue to implement hygiene procedures in kitchen |CM |

| |(section 4.2.9) |Include information on malaria and its prevention in | |

| | |leaflet for staff and guests | |

| |To ensure that socio-economic situation in nearby communities continues|Continue to apply policy of employing local staff, |CM |

| |to be enhanced by operation of camp (section 4.2.11) |wherever possible | |

| | |Purchase, when financially possible, and distribute | |

| | |binoculars and field guide books to guides who are | |

| | |employed by camp | |

| | |Continue to purchase materials for maintenance from | |

| | |local suppliers, wherever possible | |

| |To use natural resources in a careful, appropriate manner (section |Continue to maintain water reticulation to minimise |CM |

| |4.2.12) |water losses | |

| | |Include information on careful use of water, firewood | |

| | |and charcoal in leaflet for staff and guests | |

| | |Use solar power wherever possible | |

| |To improve disposal of refuse (sections 4.2.6, 4.2.9) |When Kazungula District Council has designated a dumping|CM |

| | |site, make use of it | |

| | | | |

| | |Dispose of waste from toilet bins in hospital | |

| | |incinerator | |

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