Author: Frikkie v.d. Merwe

Important Websites

http://www.iucnsa.org.za
http://www.hsrcpress.ac.za
http://etd.uj.ac.za/theses
http://www.wits.ac.za
http://saia.org.za (Environmental Management Act No.107 of 1998)

Can Parks and People Co-exist?

CONSERVATION FOR THE PEOPLE WITH THE PEOPLE.

The Cheetah Team
Grade 11 Geography Class
Florapark High School
POLOKWANE
fchs@telkomsa.net

The Problem
The 1913 Act of Parliamant disposessed local or indigenous people of their land use rights under the presumption that protection of the land was necessary for conservation. Original inhabitants of National Parks were physically removed and lost all rights to the land, which led to ongoing conflict. With the 1994 democracy coming in place, people were given the opportunity to engage in land claims. This forced the SA National Parks Board to enter into negotiations with affected people.

Key issues
Loss of land rights, including access to graves, ritual sites, emotional attachment, breakdown of family ties.
Lack of community involvement in management and decision making .
Communities characterized by high levels of illiteracy, poverty and unemployment.
Effective conservation and management of our wild life heritage.
Possible solutions
Linking economic opportunities within the parks with communities adjacent to the parks.
Establishing an Art and Craft market for locals within the parks to sell their products to tourists.
Skills development projects in the field of nature conservation and building industry.
Post matric bursaries and job opportunities for local communities in eco-tourism.
Establishment of working forums with local communities with regard to management and decision-making in parks.
Controlled use and provision of natural resources like water, firewood, medicinal plants and harvesting mopani worms from parks to the local communities.

The Cheetah Team
Grade 11 Geography Class
Florapark High School
POLOKWANE
fchs@telkomsa.net