The inevitable question about the establishment of this new region would be, why do it? What’s the point? There is a sound argument that the establishment of this region would fulfil multiple objectives:

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1) Improved ornithological knowledge in some of Africa’s least-known regions

Angola, much of Zambia, and most of northern Mozambique are some of the least-known parts of Africa as it relates to biodiversity and birds. An influx of experienced birders (and other wildlife experts) seeking out new areas is bound to improve knowledge and understanding of birds, their habitats, and habits in areas that are poorly known. Keener birders in Southern Africa with lists of more than 850 birds, have pretty much seen every regular species, and to list build some are essentially waiting for vagrants. By creating a wider region, they may focus on more dedicated trips to poorly known areas north of the Zambezi and Kunene and probably find resident birds that nobody even knew were there?  These kinds of discoveries will hopefully have positive spin-offs for tourism and conservation to these countries, and at the same time, hopefully reignite a newfound desire to explore for those who feel thought they had pretty much seen it all.

 

2) Improved conservation understanding, initiatives and development of local tourism services

There are several species and habitats that are grave international conservation concern in the GSA region. In particular, the southern portion of the Eastern Arc mountains in northern Mozambique (e.g. Njesi Plateau, Mts Mabu and Namuli) and the mountains of Malawi, including the only home of species like the Yellow-throated Apalis, are in grave danger. By including these within a GSA region, more birders would be active in attempting to see these species, and may reveal new key locations, or more resources directed towards these species to raise their profile, making them potentially part of projects connected with commercial international sponsors/partners. Local guiding and accommodation initiatives could be established if there is demand. 

 

3) Segway demand for local travel into the Africa S1/3 region

Creating a GSA listing region would potentially keep people who otherwise might go birding in Thailand or Costa Rica – because they have already been everywhere in Southern Africa three times – closer to home. They may start to think, ‘What about going to Nyika this summer?’ It gives regional birders another tier before Africa or World lists, the latter two categories may seem too expansive for many, and beyond their scope of interest. There is also an increasing number of specialist ‘birding travel’ companies based in the region that attract southern-African based clients. However, many have never birded outside the traditional Southern Africa region. The creation of a GSA listing region will keep more travelling locals engaged in more local travel, it will also mean that the southern African specialist travel companies can promote products to Zambia, Angola or Malawi, rather than lose out on business when their clients head to Mauritius for a family beach holiday. Most of the region, bar Northern Mozambique, is easy for self-sufficient local birders to travel by themselves. Even the main birding circuit in Angola is relatively easy to do independently. So, facilitating independent exploration by putting as much info out there as possible is key to help people plan independently or through using relevant local tour operators and/or local guides.

 

4) Transmitted promotion for the Greater region to international travelers into the Africa S1/3 region

International events such as Global Birdfare and US promotion events are expensive to attend. But by casting the net wider by creating a GSA region, tourism bodies and operators in 10 countries are promoting the same cohesive entity. Sure, an Angolan operator may lose out to a South African one at a specific event, but with the promotion of the region, the South Africa participant is much more likely to return to Angola having already invested in their GSA list, or just been exposed to the birds of Angola in the same fieldguide. 

 

5) More cohesive and logical listing region for deep-sea pelagic trips, especially those with a conservation agenda

With Flock to Marion trip (and prior deep-sea cruises), there was often confusion regarding which lists participants can or cannot put their birds on based on their position within territorial waters of different nations. When they ask, what list can I put it on, they are told, your World list, or political South Africa list. But for many more regionally-focused birders that seems somewhat unsatisfactory, as they have little desire to visit Costa Rica or Australia. A GSA listing region would give folks who have seen just about everything in southern Africa a wider pelagic focus. Also, for organizations like BirdLife South Africa, or partners in coastal nations like Mozambique, Namibia and Angola, this opens an avenue to operate future MSC-style fund-raising cruises, or smaller ship multi-day trips beyond the 200nm limit in the southern Ocean and being able to say to participants - cruise to nowhere for your 'GSA list'. 

 

6) Trans-national conservation project funding

The creation of a GSA birding region, would mean that member nations and states may be able to collaborate on trans-national cross-border projects that are supported by international foundations such as the UNDP, World Bank, and other similar entities. A great example is in the Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area and the Great KAZA Birding Route project, and using Peace Parks as key tools to expanding the conservation agenda. International collaboration is often the prime criterion by which some of these funding bodies award grants.