NEWS and soil quality and contribute to livelihood opportunities . They deliver benefits for society and the environment at the same time , and are an important way of safeguarding development in the face of climate change ,” Maze said .
She said the establishment of the new park had been supported by funds from the Green Trust , WWF-SA and the National Parks Trust of SA .
SANParks acting CEO , Dr Luthando Dziba said not only was the area rich in biodiversity and endemic species , but it also lay within the Eastern Cape Drakensberg Strategic Water Source Area , a natural source of freshwater for people downstream .
“ When declared , the park will also improve formal protection of South Africa ’ s grasslands which have been identified as a national conservation priority . The proposed NE Cape Grasslands National Park will take a somewhat different form to traditional parks ,” he said .
Dziba said the landowners will have the opportunity to incorporate their land in the park on a voluntary basis .
“ As such , they also stand to benefit from a range of financial incentives for private and communal land that is formally protected . The project aims to raise significant government funding for the restoration and maintenance of the landscape for water security , bringing much-needed employment opportunities to the area and , because of its rugged , unspoilt landscape , the area has rich potential for adventure and cultural tourism which could help to build a year-round tourism industry , further unlocking potential jobs ,” he said .
He said the declaration of a national park would also be a motivation for the inclusion of the area into the adjacent Drakensberg World Heritage Site .
Dr Morné du Plessis , CEO of WWF South Africa , said : “ The beauty of this model is that biodiversity conservation and ecological management will be done in partnership with those who live and work in this area — while allowing them to continue deriving benefits from their land through sustainable agriculture and other compatible land uses . Ultimately , this is a win-win — for nature and for people . We can ’ t wait to see this project coming to fruition .”
Figure 4 : An area earmarked for the park . ( Photo : Nick Helme )
Grassroots Vol 21 No 3 November 2021 20