01/02/2005: “The links
between our wetlands and our communities are
links of culture, tradition, economics, and
long-term environmental health. Restoring
and protecting wetland areas is one of our
most important priorities, not only for the
environment but also to help ensure the long-term
upliftment of many of our most under-developed
communities.” This was the view expressed
by Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the Minister of
Environmental Affairs & Tourism, speaking
on Tuesday at an event in the Greater St Lucia
Wetland Park to mark World Wetlands Day, celebrated
annually on 2 February.
Leading an historic tree-cutting ceremony
on the Eastern Shores of Lake St. Lucia the
Minister said: “The removal today of this
6 millionth pine tree from the Eastern Shores
of Lake St Lucia represents the single greatest
contribution to the conservation of this park’s
ecosystems since the 1994 decision to prohibit
strip-mining in the area. It also highlights
the achievements of the Wetlands Authority
and the Department in the removal of alien
trees, enhancing the biodiversity of one of
South Africa’s richest natural assets.”
Commercial plantations of eucalyptus and
pine trees have caused extensive ecological
and social damage in the World Heritage Site.
The total area under plantation on the shores
of the lake since the 1970’s amounts to a
combined total of more than 14 400 hectares.
An average pine tree can use between seven
and ten liters of water a day. They grow faster
and spread more rapidly, vastly increasing
the risk and size of fires and destroy biodiversity
by replacing indigenous vegetation and reducing
indigenous grazing, browsing and fruit production.
A dedicated land-care programme is being
implemented in the Park by the Wetlands Park
Authority with its conservation partner Ezemvelo
KZN Wildlife (EKZNW). Financed by poverty
relief grants from the Department this programme
employs up to 1600 local people. It includes
alien plant control, indigenous woody plant
encroachment, and the rehabilitation of ex-forestry
access roads and affected wetland areas, as
well as the maintenance of infrastructure.
“ The results of our efforts are already
evident, proving what can and must be done
to protect other wetlands,” said the Minister.
“Pans and streams that have been dry, or have
not flowed for over 20 years are filling up
with water, in some cases just weeks after
the alien trees have been removed. Grass will
soon cover the bare sand, and the park is
now on the way to regaining natural grassland
– an important habitat for zebra, buffalo,
antelope and many other species.”
Turning to the link between wetlands and
communities the Minister added: “The international
theme for World Wetland’s Day this year is
‘Cultural and biological diversity of wetlands’
and this is also clearly illustrated in St.
Lucia. The expansion of commercial plantations
by the government in the 1970’s led to the
forced removal of the local Bhangazi people.
To this day local communities refer to the
plantations as ‘soldier trees’ and blame them
for the dislocation, stress, and poverty.
In the past people living around the park
saw conservation as a force for repression
rather than development. A major programme
of restitution is now underway to ensure that
the Bhangazi people are the beneficiaries
and supporters of the conservation programme,
with shareholding in all new lodges to be
developed, and with direct employment opportunities.
There is also a programme to establish a Bhangazi
cultural centre on the shores of the lake.”
“ Too many people still regard wetlands as
wastelands,” said the Minster. “Nothing could
be further from the truth – and we need the
people of our country to help us to reverse
the damage that has been done to our wetland
resources. Apart from being ‘the nurseries
of life’ and key habitats for fish, wildlife
and critical plant species, they also protect
and improve water quality and assist communities
both in times of drought and flood. Our emphasis
this year on the links between cultures, communities,
and wetlands also makes the important point
that tourism, job creation, and community
upliftment in areas around wetlands can benefit
directly form the health of these environmental
assets.”
Note to Editors: The 2nd of February each
year is World Wetlands Day, marking the date
of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands
on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of
Ramsar. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park,
in addition to being South Africa’s first
World Heritage Site, also contains three of
South Africa’s first Ramsar sites.
Background Note:
The Working for Wetlands programme, championed
by DEAT, focuses on wetland restoration while
maximizing employment creation, support for
SMME’s and transfer of skills to the beneficiaries
of the programme’s projects. The programme
contributes directly to the objectives of
the Expanded Public Works Programme, and is
a partnership between DEAT, DWAF and DoA.
During the past year, R40 million has been
utilized to employ 1200 people for the restoration
of 45 wetlands around the country.
It’s sister programme is the Working for
Water programme. Championed by DWAF this is
also an expanded public works programme for
the clearing of aliens plants, and is also
a partnership between DWAF, DEAT and DoA.
During the past year, R440 million has been
spent and the programme has employed about
32000 people.
Both these programmes are being actively
implemented in the Wetlands Park by the Wetlands
Park Authority and it’s conservation partners
EZKNW.
