Protection of biodiversity dependant on communities
Posted 1st September 2008 at 07:57 PM by NewsTracker
Mafikeng – The protection of biodiversity hotspots depends on the involvement of local communities, according to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
Speaking at the People and Parks Conference on Monday, deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi said: “Our success in achieving sustainable protection of these hotspots, species and ecosystems will largely depend on the extent to which we involve local people whose livelihoods depend on these resources.”
The People and Parks programme looks at the role protected areas play in local economic growth. The deputy minister commended conservation agencies for their role in implementing programs to empower communities living adjacent to parks.
To date, they have developed policies for resource use, capacity building programmes and co-management models in protected areas that are affected by land claims.
Ms Mabudafhasi highlighted that although much has been done to ensure the conservation of South Africa’s protected areas, there where still challenges that exist.
“Despite our successes in the conservation of biodiversity and the expansion of the conservation estate, we are faced with serious challenges. These challenges include the threat to our globally recognised biodiversity hotspots, endemic and endangered species, river ecosystems, wetlands and estuaries,” she said.
The Convention on Biological Diversity, of which South Africa is a member, has adopted that all parties should promote full and effective participation of communities living in and around protected areas by 2008.
The conference, which was convened under the theme: Conservation for the people by the people, intends to emphasise government’s commitment towards the socio-economic empowerment of people living in and around protected.
In 2005, government promulgated the Protected Areas Act and Biodiversity Act to promote access, equitable sharing of benefits and the active participation of communities living around protected areas.
Government is faced with the challenge of eradicating poverty and growing the economy by 6 percent by 2014.
About 800 million rural people worldwide suffer from hunger and the most severely affected are children.
Climate change, loss of biodiversity from land degradation and desertification also plays a role in exposing rural communities into unprecedented levels of poverty. - BuaNews
Speaking at the People and Parks Conference on Monday, deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi said: “Our success in achieving sustainable protection of these hotspots, species and ecosystems will largely depend on the extent to which we involve local people whose livelihoods depend on these resources.”
The People and Parks programme looks at the role protected areas play in local economic growth. The deputy minister commended conservation agencies for their role in implementing programs to empower communities living adjacent to parks.
To date, they have developed policies for resource use, capacity building programmes and co-management models in protected areas that are affected by land claims.
Ms Mabudafhasi highlighted that although much has been done to ensure the conservation of South Africa’s protected areas, there where still challenges that exist.
“Despite our successes in the conservation of biodiversity and the expansion of the conservation estate, we are faced with serious challenges. These challenges include the threat to our globally recognised biodiversity hotspots, endemic and endangered species, river ecosystems, wetlands and estuaries,” she said.
The Convention on Biological Diversity, of which South Africa is a member, has adopted that all parties should promote full and effective participation of communities living in and around protected areas by 2008.
The conference, which was convened under the theme: Conservation for the people by the people, intends to emphasise government’s commitment towards the socio-economic empowerment of people living in and around protected.
In 2005, government promulgated the Protected Areas Act and Biodiversity Act to promote access, equitable sharing of benefits and the active participation of communities living around protected areas.
Government is faced with the challenge of eradicating poverty and growing the economy by 6 percent by 2014.
About 800 million rural people worldwide suffer from hunger and the most severely affected are children.
Climate change, loss of biodiversity from land degradation and desertification also plays a role in exposing rural communities into unprecedented levels of poverty. - BuaNews
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