SOUTH AFRICA: Eco-tourism Growing The South African Economy

Eco-tourism is growing in popularity and making a greater contribution towards South Africa’s economic growth, says Minister of Environmental Affairs, Dr Edna Molewa.

“Sustainable, nature-based tourism directly benefits our people and communities, and is an important vehicle for rural development, given the location of many conservation areas in rural areas,” Minister Molewa said.

She made the comments on Monday as the Department of Environmental Affairs marked the International Day for Biological Diversity, under the theme ‘Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism’.

According to the department, South Africa is amongst the world’s most mega bio-diverse countries, and its well-managed natural resources have made it a premier destination for tourists.

In 2016, more than 10 million tourist arrivals were recorded in South Africa, representing a 13% increase from the previous year.

Major tourist attractions in South Africa include national parks, nature reserves, world heritage sites, cultural and natural landscapes as well as beaches and marine protected areas.

In the 2016/17 financial year, six million people visited the 19 parks that are managed by South African National Parks (SANParks).

“Tourism has to be developed in harmony with environmental considerations. Sustainable tourism can generate employment and income, thus providing a strong incentive for conservation,” Minister Molewa said.

She said through tourism, public awareness can be raised about the many goods and services provided by biological diversity and the need to respect traditional knowledge and practices.

“Nature-based tourism, or rather eco-tourism, is recognised as a driver and critical component to the sustainability and efficacy of conservation management,” Minister Molewa said.

Tourists are attracted by biological and physical resources, while ecosystems provide the much need resources, such as water and food that supports the tourism sector.

The department said if tourism is not sustainably managed, it may lead to the degradation of the natural environment.

“The conservation of species and ecosystems protection, in conjunction with the promotion of energy and water efficient practices, overall supports responsible tourism,” Minister Molewa said.

The theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity was chosen to coincide with the observance of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The United Nations in 2000 adopted a proposal to proclaim May 22 the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

“The implementation of the National Tourism Sector Strategy aimed at the development of sustainable and inclusive tourism for the benefit of all South Africans, as well as the ‘I Do Tourism’ campaign launched by South African Tourism is moving South Africa forward to make Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism a reality,” the department said.



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SOUTH AFRICA: Police Arrest Rhino Poachers

Police members deployed by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to work with SANParks as part of Operation Rhino have arrested five suspects for possession of unlicensed firearms in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga during last week.

In the first instance a team comprising of police detectives and forensic specialists together with SANPark rangers arrested 35-year-old Rodney Landela, a SANParks regional ranger, and Kenneth Muchacho, 44 years old, a Vet deployed at SANPark by the Department of Agriculture, for possession of two rhino horns and possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The two men were arrested on 27 July 2016 in the Satara section of the Kruger National Park. They have already appeared in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate's Court and their case has been postponed to next week Thursday for bail application.

Apart from the rifle, 17 rounds of ammunition and two rhino horns were found in the men's possession, the police also confiscated four cellular phones, an axe and three Garmin Navigators.

And elsewhere in KwaZulu-Natal, another Operation Team comprising of the Tactical Response Team, Crime Intelligence Unit and the National Intervention Unit arrested three suspects for possession of unlicensed firearm in the Dukuduku area of the province. The three, whose vehicle, seven cellular phones, axe and silencer were taken, are due to appear in the Mtubatuba Magistrate's Court today.

Operation Rhino is a continuous intervention by the SAPS, together with its partners such as the South African National Parks and the Defence force, aimed at bringing to book illegal hunters of rhino and other endangered species within our parks.

The SAPS is encouraged by these arrests and the lengthy prison sentences that are being handed by the courts as this will serve as the necessary deterrents to other potential poachers.

SOUTH AFRICA: Minister Edna Molewa Happy About Arrest And Seizure Of Rhino Horns

The Minister of Environmental Affairs Dr Edna Molewa, has congratulated the Department’s Environmental Management Inspectorate (Green Scorpions), stationed at O.R Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) working together with Customs, the security company employed by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) as well as the Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) for the arrest of a suspected rhino horn smuggler on the 24th of September 2016.

This significant arrest took place on the eve of the opening of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The suspect was intercepted after attempting to take a transit flight to Hong Kong. Three rhino horns with a total mass of 9.4kg and an estimated value of R12.2 m were seized.

The horns were discovered after the suspect’s luggage was screened by border and customs officials. The 48 year old suspect; a Chinese national was expected to appear in court today.

It was the joint work and effective coordination of all the entities involved that led to the successful detection, seizure and arrest.

The Green Scorpions are stationed at a number of ports of entry and exit to increase capability to detect incidents of smuggling of wild specimens, as part of the Department’s Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros approach under implementation since 2014.

CITES COP17 has been billed the largest of its kind in the history of the Convention. The illicit trade in rhino horn and rhino horn products is one of the subjects likely to garner significant attention during the conference.

“With South Africa being the home to the world’s largest rhino population, naturally all eyes will be on us at CITES COP17 as we discuss the impact of the transnational illicit trade in wildlife on our rhino population,” says Minister Molewa.

“South Africa is currently experiencing a decrease in the rate of rhino poaching, and at the same time an increase in the number of arrests for poaching related offences. Slowly but surely our Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros approach is yielding success: we are now getting much better at addressing wildlife crime in a more integrated and coordinated manner,” says Minister Molewa.

In the past week there have been arrests of four Mozambican and two South African suspected rhino poachers in relation to two separate incidents in the Kruger National Park (KNP).

Between 1 January and the end of August 2016 a total of 414 alleged poachers have been arrested in South Africa – of which 177 were in the Kruger National Park and 237 for the rest of the country.

The Integrated Strategic approach involves the Department of Environmental Affairs, the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African State Security Agency, Justice and Correctional Services Department, South African National Parks (SANParks), South African Revenue Service (SARS) and provincial conservation agencies.

It has a number of key pillars, namely:

- Compulsory interventions,
- Managing rhino populations,
- Long-term sustainability interventions, and
- New interventions, within the context of regional and international cooperation

SOUTH AFRICA: Field Ranger Succumbs To Injuries After Accidental Shooting

South African National Parks (SANParks) today announced the tragic passing away of a field ranger in the world famous Kruger National Park. Whilst on active anti-poaching patrol, the field ranger was accidentally shot by a colleague after they were charged by a lone buffalo bull at a very short distance in the Malelane section.

According to his colleague, the two were charged by a buffalo bull and in the ensuing confusion managed to find cover from where they attempted to neutralise the animal but unfortunately the deceased appears to have been caught in the cross fire and sustained a fatal bullet wound to his upper body. A doctor was immediately flown to the scene by SANParks helicopter. A fully equipped AMS medical emergency helicopter based at Nelspruit was also requested and immediately dispatched to the scene. The critically injured ranger was stabilized at the scene and flown immediately to the Nelspruit Medi Clinic. He was then rushed into theatre but tragically later succumbed to his injuries.

Reacting to the news, SANParks CEO, Fundisile Mketeni passed on his sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues. “It is a sad day for us as a family, we have lost one of our own, a dedicated colleague and friend who not only served the organisation but the entire globe to ensure the integrity of our natural heritage. We did all we could to save his life but unfortunately we lost him. We hope this tragic incident will inspire our colleagues to carry on with the sterling work he was doing in the field, so that his death is not in vain” concluded Mketeni.

The name of the deceased cannot be released as his next of kin have yet to be informed and his colleague is receiving trauma counselling.

SOUTH AFRICA: Kruger National Park's Streamlines Access For Day Visitors

In an effort to enhance visitor access management and to avoid possible glitches this Festive Season, Kruger National Park (KNP) Management will be implementing a new system to streamline day visitor arrivals at the gates during busy periods.

Day Visitors will now be able to choose and book a time slot prior to their arrival from one of the following three time slots:
Time slot 1: Arrive 0 to 2 Hours after gate opening time. (Summer months 05:30 to 07:30)
Time slot 2: Arrive 2 to 4 Hours after gate opening time. (Summer months 07:30 to 09:30)
Time slot 3: Arrive 4+ Hours after gate opening time. (Summer months 09:30 onwards).
The Day Visitor Quota for the park is a management tool to maintain the carrying capacity of the park. Visitors will be able to book up to 80% of Day Visitor Quota per gate, via SANParks Reservations offices.
Pre-booked day visitors guest will get preference over non-booked day visitors at the gate.

For the coming Festive Season, we aim to better manage the volumes that we expect on busy days, and importantly also manage the expectations. These busy days are expected to be Saturday and Sunday and in particular 25, 26 and 27 December as well as 1, 2 and 3 January. By introducing the three different slots, we hope to improve the spread of vehicles and, as far as possible prevent unnecessary waiting periods at gates”, said the KNP Managing Executive, Glenn Phillips.

Pre-booked day visitors must ensure that they arrive within the time slots, as per their reservation. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore not preferential. Visitors who made reservations prior to this new system have been allocated to Time slot 1. These bookings can be changed through SANParks Reservations offices http://www.sanparks.org/tourism/reservations/
Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

Day Visitor bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R36 per adult and R18 per child.
Day Visitors who have booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter the Park.
In order to expedite the admission process, on busy days in particular, Day Visitors are requested to pay for Conservation Fees in advance or ensure that they have valid Wild Card membership.
Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure membership is valid before arrival and this can best be done online at www.sanparks.org/wild_new/.
The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
(All) guests may be required to identify themselves upon admission (SA driver’s license, identity document or passport).
Due to existing contractual arrangements with Open Safari Vehicles (OSVs), they are regarded as booked for all Day Visitor admissions. OSVs entering Phabeni Gate will be allowed entry 30 minutes before external gate opening time during the summer.
Gate Quotas will be applied and un-booked guests could be refused admission.
In order to make the wait in the queue at gates a bit more pleasurable, SANParks will be providing serviced toilets at strategic points on the side of the road during peak times. Further to this a community initiative has been set up that will see hot and cold beverages being available for sale to visitors who will be waiting for entry.
Guests are kindly requested to be patient and understanding of this new change. SANParks will be learning from this so please feel free to provide feedback through the customer feedback system.