ZONING
The zoning plan for a protected area such as Coutada 5
establishes the framework for management, and is
normally the primary document from which the management
plan is derived. In Coutada 5 zoning will apply to all
activities occurring within the Coutada, and thus
appears in the management plan to guide the way in which
the area will be managed. Most conservation authorities,
AFWR as a private company included, adhere to a strict
zoning regime and use zoning firstly as a framework for
specific planning, and secondly to facilitate management
decisions on the use and development of their protected
areas.
The zoning system for Coutada 5 is based on especially
the Parks Canada system, with elements of other African
zoning systems and plans included. The Parks Canada
system provides for five zone classes, but obviously
makes no provision for any agricultural ventures, as
will be the case for Coutada 5. The Coutada 5 system
therefore includes not only the ‘normal’ five
biodiversity-based conservation zones, but also an
additional four agricultural and one towns/settlements
zone. The major zones include the core
wildlife-wilderness zone of about 210 000 ha, the future
cattle ranching blocks totalling 100 000 ha, and a
multiple-use community zone of more than 300 000 ha.
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