SOUTH AFRICA NATIONAL PARKS: PROCESS TO PROCLAIM
THE GARDEN ROUTE NATIONAL PARK

Environmental Panorama
International
October of 2007

 

19 October 2007 - Media Statement - Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism - FRIDAY, 19 October 2007: Minister van Schalkwyk on 27 August 2007 announced the intention to proclaim a Garden Route National Park. He today received a briefing from SANParks in the Garden Route on the progress being made in this regard.

The Minister said at the briefing that “South African National Parks (SANParks) is currently undertaking planning processes which will inform the realization of the proposed Garden Route National Park (GRNP). This Park will include the following:

The currently proclaimed Tsitsikamma and Wilderness National Parks,
The Knysna National Lake Area,
The Southern Cape Indigenous Forests,
The associated fynbos Mountain Catchment Areas (MCA’s), and MTO plantation exit areas.
The function of managing the indigenous forests under the Forest Act (84 of 1998) is currently delegated to SANParks with a vision to change this status to an assignment so that the management responsibilities are fully transferred to SANParks. The assignment of these areas will then lay the foundation for a process towards the proclamation of all these protected areas as components of the Garden Route National Park by the end of March 2008”.

The Minister further said that “Currently these areas are managed as separate entities under different legislation, systems, processes and financial arrangements. The idea is to integrate the management of these areas so as to lay a better foundation for protected area management, and for the management of eco-systems within the wider Garden Route bioregional landscape.”

The proposed GRNP is entirely within the Garden Route Initiative (GRI) planning domain, which comprises the 6 local municipalities in the region from Mossel Bay in the West to Kouga in the East. The GRI is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded partnership programme and forms part of SANParks strategic bioregional projects. Partners include local municipalities, other state agencies, NGO’s, and other potential beneficiaries. The GRI aims to conserve and restore the unique biodiversity and sense of place of the Garden Route while supporting the sustainable management of the region and the delivery of benefits to local communities.

Through this process, a number of planning products are being developed over a period of 5 years. These include a land consolidation strategy with associated maps, alien clearing mapping, fire management mapping, tourism plans and identification of benefits for local communities. The GEF project will be completed in 2009. The GRNP falls within the footprint of this planning domain, and together with other partners in the Region it is envisaged that there will be a suite of socio-economic development initiatives which will be accrued from this process, including opportunities for public/private and community partnerships.

“Currently SANParks in the region has a number of initiatives that are in place and a variety of tourism products in the pipeline. As custodians of these national assets, SANPARKS, with the support of national departments, DEAT & DWAF, is currently implementing a number of Expanded Public Works Programmes, including Working for Water, Working for the Coast, and DEAT Social Responsibility Programmes. These programmes are geared towards conservation of our natural coastal environment by eradicating alien vegetation and improving tourist facilities, whilst at the same time they contribute towards poverty relief, and job skilling of workers through training. Since 2004, all these programmes collectively, have employed about 800 people from local communities, said Dr David Mabunda, CEO of SANParks.

This year only, the tourism products which will be finished include Forest Camping Decks in the Diepwalle forests, upgrading of the famous Outeniqua hiking trail, new chalets in the Wilderness National Park, boardwalks, and the groundwork for the development of infrastructure on Thesen’s island.
Riaan Aucamp (Minister's Spokesperson)

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19TH OCTOBER 2007 - WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN MARINE ASSOCIATION (WIOMSA) TO ASSESS MARINE MANAGEMENT AT A SYMPOSIUM IN DURBAN, SOUTHERN SUN ELANGENI: 22ND - 26TH OCTOBER 2007

Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, will deliver a keynote address at the 5th Western Indian Ocean Marine Sciences Association symposium aimed at creating a forum to promote dialogue amongst scientists and stakeholders on the effective way of protecting marine environment.

The Fifth Symposium is organized jointly by WIOMSA, established in 1993, and the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) of Durban, South Africa. The theme of this Symposium is “Advances in Marine Science in Eastern Africa: “Science, Policy and Management: pressures and responses in the Western Indian Ocean region”. Valuable inputs for best practice on marine management are expected from 350 participants who will converge on Durban from 28 countries.

In addition to providing a discussion forum for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and knowledge on coastal and marine issues in the WIO region, the Symposium will further serve two other important and practical functions: the assessment of the advancement of marine science research in the WIO region and its application to coastal management; and the identification of priority themes and areas for future marine science research in the WIO region.

The evening of the 22nd October will culminate with the Deputy Minister launching a book and presenting awards to members who have rendered notable service to marine science development and research.

Journalists are invited to attend and interview the Deputy Minister and the delegates. For further information please contact:

Mr Moses Rannditsheni
Media Liaison Officer for the Deputy Minister
Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

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OPPORTUNITIES IN THE OCEAN - NATIONAL MARINE WEEK 15 - 20 October 2007

15 October 2007 - Media Statement - Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism - MONDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2007: National Marine Week is celebrated this year under the theme Opportunities in the ocean'.

The theme "Opportunities in the ocean" emphasizes the potential contribution of the country's marine resources to support the socio- economic development of our nation. Opportunities exist across the following marine and coastal ecosystem services: food provision and security; climate and weather; sea trade; culture and recreation; mining and minerals and beneficial chemical compounds.

Food provision and security
It has long been established that fish and other sea food are healthy alternatives in a balanced diet. While the formal commercial sector lands more than half a million of fish products, several communities in all coastal provinces support their livelihoods through recreational and subsistence fishing. Nowadays we are beginning to unlock the potential of our long coastline in identifying suitable habitats to grow suitable species in marine aquaculture facilities. Products from these fish farms can add to our wild fish stock products to meet growing local and international demand.

Climate and weather
Much of the climate we enjoy is influenced by the large ocean space around our country. Climate and the weather create opportunities in agriculture, fishing and sea trade. It can however result in catastrophic natural disasters through storms and erosion. To take full advantage of the energy of the ocean and climate, the power of weather and the sea can be harnessed to contribute to our energy production requirements.

Sea trade
South Africa has several commercial and fishing harbours. The Durban harbour is the busiest harbour in Africa, processing well over a million containers of goods a year. South Africa also has specialist harbours like Richards Bay and Saldanha, which specialise in coal and iron ore transport respectively. Ngqurha (Coega) is the newest edition to our commercial ports and has great potential with its deep port facilities.

Culture, recreation and tourism
The fishing harbours not only concentrate on commercial fishing activity but also serve to attract many marine and coastal recreational and tourism activities. Besides catering for several different types of recreational and tourism activities our coast has cultural and heritage significance to many of our communities. Such communities regard the coast as special places of community gathering and worship.

Mining and minerals
Further away from the coast South Africa is also taking advantage of mining opportunities spanning oil, gas and diamonds. More recently we are learning from other parts of the world that the sea floor has many beneficial chemical compounds that contribute to pharmaceutical, food preparation and other industries.
For a National Marine Week Programme, please visit our website www.deat.gov.za
Mava Scott (Acting Chief Director: Communications)

 
 

Source: South African Environmental (http://www.environment.gov.za)
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