Agulhas National Park Launches Bus To Educate Communities On Conservation
The Agulhas community will now have easier access to conservation and environmental education following the launch of the Agulhas National Park bus. S...
West Coast National Park Invites Stakeholders To Elect A Park Management Forum
The West Coast National Park is inviting stakeholders to participate in the election of a forum that will advise on the management of the national park.
Addressing stakeholders this week that included community organisations, government departments, and Indigenous communities at the Langebaan Community Hall, SANParks explained that the Park Management Forum facilitates constructive interaction between the Park and surrounding communities. It also serves as a channel for communication and managing conflict as well as assists in identifying strategic issues and areas of mutual interest and concern.
In the next few weeks, the Park will announce the start of a public participation process to comment on the draft Park Management Plan as required by legislation. The Park Management Plan outlines areas such as how the park is managed, planned developments, public access and facilities as well as biodiversity management.
The communities of Langebaan and surrounding areas, businesses, and interest groups will be invited to comment on the draft plan. Once agreed, the Park Management Plan is presented to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment by the SANParks Board for approval after which it becomes the blueprint for the management of the Park for a 10-year period. It is therefore important for any organization that wants to have a say in the management of the Park to comment on the draft document.
The Park Forum plays an advisory role and advises on the implementation of the Park Management Plan. The forum will be elected by stakeholders and the Park Manager must ensure that there is broad representivity of stakeholders in the Park’s management area. The size of forums differ from park to park and depends on the number of stakeholders in the area.
Park Forum portfolios include biodiversity management, cultural heritage and resource management, environmental awareness as well as safety and security. Specialist interest groups and academics will have a platform to continue to advise on biodiversity management. The portfolios will also enable experts in cultural, historical, and spiritual matters to voice their opinions as they advise on the management of the Park.