Unesco has denied granting clearance for the construction of a massive hydropower dam downstream from the iconic Victoria Falls, which is designated as a World Heritage Site. Munyaradzi Munodawafa, CEO of the Zambezi River Authority, previously claimed that Unesco's World Heritage Committee had given the go-ahead for the Batoka Gorge project. However, Unesco has stated that several concerns were raised about the dam's potential negative impacts, leading to a request for the revision of the environmental and social impact assessment.
In an official response to queries, Unesco emphasized the need to revise the assessment of the planned dam and power plant. A report from February 2022, based on an inspection of the site conducted last year, revealed that four out of eight gorges within the World Heritage Site would be flooded if the project proceeded as currently proposed. The report firmly stated that the project should not proceed in its current form, and Unesco reaffirms that this conclusion still stands.
The construction of the Batoka Gorge dam, which aims to create a 2,400-megawatt power plant, was initially scheduled to commence in 2020. However, the project faced delays due to the global pandemic and funding concerns. The dam is a joint venture between General Electric Co. and China's Power Construction Corp. Its purpose is to help address the power needs of Zambia and Zimbabwe, who already share the Kariba hydropower facility situated further east along the Zambezi River.
Unesco's World Heritage Committee has called for a reduction in the height of the proposed dam wall. Furthermore, the committee expressed its disapproval of the construction of a new hotel within the World Heritage Site, despite requesting a suspension of all construction activities. According to a document published by the committee in June, a revised study on the planned dam must be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the International Union for Conservation of Nature before any final decision can be made regarding the project.
The Batoka Gorge dam project has stirred significant controversy due to concerns about its potential impact on the natural beauty of the Victoria Falls and its surrounding environment. Many conservationists and local communities have opposed the construction, emphasizing the need to protect the World Heritage Site and preserve the ecological balance of the area. As the debate continues, the fate of the Batoka Gorge dam remains uncertain, pending additional studies and assessments to address the concerns raised by Unesco.