KZN explores linkups with neighbouring countries' parks

BIG game is making a triumphant return all over KwaZulu Natal, the provincial Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, Narend Singh, said on Wednesday evening, as ecotourism promised to become a big money-spinner, especially with planned link-ups to neighbouring countries' parks. Speaking in Umhlanga at the South African Breweries Environmental Awards Ceremony, SIngh said the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and the Drakensberg/Ukhahlamba Park - both World Heritage Sites - were rightly described as KwaZulu Natal's jewels in the crown. "Very exciting developments are in store, including the probable linking up with parks in Mozambique under the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative (LSDI). "The current LSDI development offers some truly exciting possibilities involving international cruise liners, passengers taking overland ecotourism trips between Maputo, Mozambique and KZN's Richards Bay and Durban - or the other way round." (Adéle Mackenzie)