High court halts tourism concession agreements in lower Zambezi after suit by civil society organizations

The Lusaka High Court has temporarily halted the issuance of tourism concession agreements in the Lower Zambezi National Park by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), pending the outcome of a judicial review case initiated by two civil society organisations.

Justice Ruth Chibbabbuka granted the stay following a legal challenge by Chapter One Foundation and Conservation Advocates Zambia, who accused the DNPW of awarding tourism concessions without following due process and failing to provide requested documentation.

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“It is further ordered that the leave to file the notice for judicial review shall operate as a stay of the respondent’s actions through the DNPW in granting tourism concession agreements in the Lower Zambezi National Park until final determination of this matter or further direction by this Court,” ruled Justice Chibbabbuka.

The applicants are seeking judicial review of what they described as the Ministry of Tourism and Arts’ failure or refusal to respond to their February 3, 2025 appeal against the DNPW’s decision, and to conduct a Wildlife Impact Assessment as required under the Zambia Wildlife Act.

They are demanding greater accountability and transparency in how tourism concessions are managed in the Lower Zambezi.

In their filings, the organisations claim that despite formally writing to Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, no decision has been communicated, nor has a Wildlife Impact Assessment been initiated.

They are requesting an order of mandamus to compel the Minister to perform his statutory duties, including deciding the appeal and conducting the required assessment.

They are also seeking costs and an expedited hearing.

The applicants further argued that continued issuance of concessions without adequate oversight risks overcrowding and irreversible ecological damage in the western region of the park.

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