WRITTEN QUESTION E-1723/96 by Jan Bertens (ELDR) to the Commission (25 June 1996)

Subject: The development of a cultural village in the Mantenga Valley in Swaziland

Co-financing from the European Development Fund is apparently to be used to develop a cultural village in the Mantenga Valley in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. EDF funds cannot be used if there is any possibility of a negative environmental effect.

1. Is the Commission aware of the fact that a cultural village is planned in the Mantenga Valley in the MWS which will have a negative impact on the environment and the scenic beauty of the sanctuary?

2. Is it true that EDF Funds are to be used to develop this cultural village?

3. EDF funds cannot be used unless a thorough environmental impact assessment has been made in advance. Has an EIA been made, who has done it and when?

4. If the EIA is negative, will the Commission make sure that no EDF funds will be used for the project?

5. Taking into account former funding of conservation projects in Swaziland, is the Commission willing to express its dismay to the authorities in Swaziland?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (11 July 1996)

The delegation of the Commission in Swaziland is fully aware of the concern raised by the management of the Mlilwane wildlife sanctuary (MWS) regarding the construction of a model village in the neighbouring Mantenga nature reserve (MNR). It has been as a result of this expression of concern that the delegation raised the issue with the government of Swaziland which, through the Swaziland national trust commission (SNTC), is responsible for the MNR.

In response to its offer to support an environmental impact assessment (EIA) regarding the construction of the village, the delegation received assurances from the government that this aspect had been examined at the time the proposed project was originally submitted to the government of Swaziland planning and budgeting committee. It was stated that the project has received not only the sanction of the SNTC, which has responsibility for the management of national nature reserves and the preservation of Swaziland's cultural heritage, but had also received endorsement from the ministry of natural resources and energy and from the Swaziland environmental authority (SEA). It should be noted that all capital projects financed from government of Swaziland resources are required to seek prior approval from the SEA on the basis of their potential impact on the environment before they can be approved for budgetary support.

Despite these assurances and in cognisance of the sensitive nature of this dispute between those responsible for the two protected areas (MWS and MNR), the Commission delegation in Swaziland has been most cautious in giving approval to the use of European development fund (EDF) finance for the purpose of establishing the model cultural village. Todate no approval has been given, although in an effort to bring about an amicable solution to this unfortunate situation the delegation has offered to provide assistance for mediating between the various parties and has indicated that it would be willing to support an independent EIA should that be required.

In the meantime, it should be noted that the government of Swaziland, which is the major financier of the project, has proceeded with the construction of the complex of traditional thatch beehive structures which form the basis of the village.

The Commission delegation in Swaziland, recognizing that in protected areas environmental concerns are of paramount importance, is according this matter its careful attention. Should the dispute continue or should an independent EIA result in a negative outcome, EDF funds will not be utilised for the development of the model village.