Several trading centres around the MMNR have
developed in areas that are very undesirable from a
tourism,
ecological or land-use planning perspective. Most
notable are the Sekanani, Olchurra, and Olomutia
trading
centres, although concerns have also been raised
about increasing development on the MMNR’s border
at
Oloroltura (near to Mara Simba Lodge). In the
past, proposals have been put forward at a number of
forums
that these specific trading centres need to be
relocated to less sensitive locations further away from
the
MMNR’s border.
These proposals, if implemented, are clearly
likely to encounter significant resistance from the residents
of
these centres. Nevertheless, in light of the
significant impacts that these settlements are having on
the
MMNR environment and tourism product, under this
action Reserve managers will collaborate with
other
relevant organisations and agencies to design an
appropriate relocation process for the concerned
settlements,
and, provided this eventually proves feasible, to
support the relocation effort. A relocation programme
of
this scope is of course likely to have significant
economic implications for residents, which may require
that
funds are made available in due course from MMNR
revenues to provide appropriate compensation
to bona
fide residents, coupled if feasible
with the solicitation of donor funding for the relocation
process.
