Environmental geographic information systems (EGIS)
ACCESS TO BASELINE
GEOSPATIAL DATA
AND SERVICES
The Environment Geographic Information Systems (EGIS) provides access to baseline geospatial data and services to the users of geospatial technology. The department works with the Committee on Spatial Information and the broader GIS community to define the data architecture, systems, standards, policies and processes for a fully integrated and effective spatial data infrastructure for the country.
GIS RELATED ENQUIRIES
For any other GIS related enquiries contact the EGIM section of the DFFE.
- DFFE call centre number: +27 86 111 2468
- E-mail: callcentre@dffe.gov.za
PROTECTED AREAS
REGISTER (PAR)
According to the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003). The register must:
- contain a list of all protected areas;
- indicate the kind of protected area in each case; and
- contain any other information determined by the minister.
A register of protected areas was therefore developed for reporting and mapping purposes of protected areas that were included into this database. This database is called the Protected and Conservation Areas database (PACA) and comprises of all:
- data required for the register of protected areas (SAPAD)
- data on conservation areas (SACAD)
PROTECTED AREAS REGISTER
INTERACTIVE MAP
NOTE: Conservation areas are areas responsibly managed for biodiversity conservation but not legally declared as protected areas. All legally declared protected areas can be searched and viewed through the use of the protected areas register (PAR) interactive map. This map service shows the various types of protected areas and conservation areas in South Africa. Users can generate reports and statistics by following the PAR Interactive Map link above.
The SAPAD and SACAD geospatial data can be downloaded from links provided in the table below.
DATE PUBLISHED |
VERSION |
DESCRIPTION |
PROTECTED AND CONSERVATION AREAS DATA |
||
22 April 2025 |
SAPAD: South Africa Protected Areas Database |
|
22 April 2025 |
SACAD: South Africa Conservation Areas Database |
|
22 April 2025 |
SAMPAZ: South Africa Marine Protected Area Zones |
|
20 August 2024 |
Biosphere reserve zones |
|
15 January 2020 |
TFCA boundaries |
|
RENEWABLE ENERGY EIA APPLICATION DATA |
||
2 June 2025 |
South African Renewable Energy EIA Application Database |