01/04/2005 : “One of the
most exciting and significant conservation
achievements in recent South African history.”
This was how Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister
of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, described
the events unfolding on Friday in Kranshoek,
Knysna. The Minister was signing a Memorandum
of Understanding with Buyelwa Sonjica, the
Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, marking
one of the single largest transfers of land
ever to South African National Parks (SANParks).
“What we are doing today may well reshape
the future of eco-tourism and economic growth
in the Southern Cape ,” said Minister Van
Schalkwyk. “This transfer of land today will
lay the foundations for the future establishment
of a Garden Route Mega Reserve, encompassing
the three areas already managed by SANParks
– the Tsitsikamma and Wilderness National
Parks and the Knysna National Lake Area –
as well as these new forests and other public
and private conservation land. This new ‘mega-reserve'
may well become a model for South African
conservation as it would integrate unspoilt
natural areas with existing towns and communities
in a sustainable conservation landscape.”
In terms of the agreement about 97 300 hectares
of state forests, formerly managed by the
Department of Water Affairs & Forestry
(DWAF), are now earmarked for transfer to
SANParks – including 35 756 hectares of indigenous
forests (the Farleigh, Diepwalle and Tsitsikamma
estates), about 35 638 hectares of mountain
catchment area (mostly fynbos in the Outeniqua
and Tsitsikamma mountains) and about 25 900
hectares of land currently under pine plantations
which will be clearfelled, rehabilitated and
transferred to SANParks over the next fifteen
years.
“This transfer is part of the bigger process
of putting the administration of our precious
indigenous forests in the best possible hands.
Indigenous forest covers less than one percent
of South Africa and the Knysna/Tsitsikamma
forest is the jewel in the crown, the largest
single natural forest in South Africa . My
Department has worked with SANParks and other
stakeholders, including organised labour for
nearly four years to ensure that the process
runs smoothly,” said Minister Sonjica.
“The transfer of the Knysna/Tsitsikamma forest
is part of a wider process involving not just
SANParks but also Provincial Nature Conservation
agencies to whom forest management is being
transferred under the National Forest Act,
1998. Under the agreement with SANParks, the
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry will
maintain oversight over the management of
the forests in terms of agreed policy approaches”,
indicated Minister Sonjica. “We are also transferring
the budget for the management of these forests
to SANParks, as well as about 124 staff –
including highly qualified foresters and specialists
in harvesting indigenous forests.”
“The forests of the Southern Cape are amongst
our most important and evocative natural resources,”
added Minister Van Schalkwyk. “Traces of human
communities at the mouth of the Klasies River
date back more than 100 000 years. From the
time of the Khoisan clans of Outeniqualand
and the Tsitsikamma, to the first European
settlements like George in the early 1800's,
this region has held special meaning for our
people. Today we recognise this sense of place.
Today we acknowledge and affirm the importance
of protecting this natural wonder.”
Speaking about the biological importance
of the area, Dr David Mabunda, Chief Executive
of SANParks, said: “We have, for many years,
worked towards the goal of ensuring that all
of South Africa 's seven biomes are represented
in the national parks of our country. At less
than 1% of our surface area, the forest biome
is the smallest of these and until today,
no really significant portions of the forest
biome have been included under SANParks management.
The conservation significance of this transfer
is the single management agency for all of
the natural resources from the mountains,
through the lowlands and into the sea.This
will also remove public uncertainty about
who manages which piece of land.”
“Although these areas will be used for conservation
purposes they will still be accessible under
controlled conditions to the public for recreational
and commercial uses,” said Minster Van Schalkwyk.
“We will now be much better placed to conserve
and restore the unique biodiversity of the
Garden Route , while supporting the sustainable
development of the region – bringing delivery
and growth to local communities.”
Speaking about the importance of inter-departmental
coordination Minister Sonjica said: “The President
has challenged Government to address issues
of capacity, and to strengthen the developmental
state. Initiatives like this one give impetus
to that challenge – ensuring that cooperation
between departments delivers the best results
for our communities.”
