PEOPLE AND PARKS (P&P) DEFINED

Protected areas (PAs) are important tools for conservation of biological diversity and are the cornerstones for sustainable development strategies. Apart from their environmental benefits, some can generate significant economic returns and as such were central to the achievement of the 2010 target of significantly reducing biodiversity loss as articulated in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, the millennium development goals of 2014, the attainment of the sustainable development goals set for 2030, and also aligned with outcomes 7 and 10 of the National Development Plan (NDP). Protected areas and other conservation efforts exist in areas of extreme poverty and must be seen as land use options that can contribute positively to sustainable development through creation of job opportunities. The imperative, therefore, is to find approaches to deal with such co-existence between pockets of high value biodiversity and nodes of high socio-economic development needs. However, the linkages between biodiversity conservation, poverty reduction and economic development are often overlooked and an artificial choice or a trade-off is created between investing in biodiversity and investing in poverty reduction.

The shift has affected the approaches towards conservation and development in South Africa, which led to various People and Parks type projects and other forms of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) programmes. Since 1994, political changes in South Africa have fundamentally changed the attitudes of PAs management agencies and owners. Previously, communities were excluded from playing a role in protecting the environment. Today, people are becoming shareholders and new practices for PAs are being created - allowing rural people to play a critical role.

The People and Parks Programme has certainly come a long way since the World Parks Congress held in Durban in 2003 and the first People and Parks Forum session held in Swadini in October 2004. On the eve of this congress, the then Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) organised communities from the Richtersveld, Khomani San, Riemvasmaak, Makuleke areas and iSimangaliso (then known as St Lucia) to meet at Cape Vidal. They represented the people who had been removed or directly threatened with removals from protected areas (PAs) to make way for wildlife and conservation. Since then, the programme has gained momentum in identifying specific activities and processes that address issues at the interface between conservation and the communities.

We all work to promote and protect our country's resources, but also to highlight and implement the rights of communities affected by conservation processes. It is only when we achieve mutual harmony and agreement between all involved parties that we can rightfully call our foundation 'successful'. To date, we have a robust People and Parks Programme with strong community involvement, solid policies, structures and frameworks in place to ensure further success of the programme toward the future. Hence the theme "conservation for the people, with the people".

The Cape Vidal meeting carried the new spirit of people and nature-friendly conservation and the hope for the survival of PAs in South Africa. With the end of apartheid, there was an opportunity to reclaim land as well as rights and access to natural resources. However, there was a lack of clarity around land ownership and rights, and this fuelled conflict between communities and conservation agencies. The communities' vision for their land development was linked to conservation but was frustrated by a slow process of land claim settlements. This was a hurdle for the communities trying to reclaim their dignity and exercise their rights that would bring benefits to their people. The communities agreed that their land could be managed for conservation on condition they were actively involved in the process.

The People and Parks Programme is aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) because of enhancing and securing the effectiveness participation of local communities on indigenous knowledge on biodiversity conservation, as well as involvement during policy development, projects planning and the implementation thereof.

People and Parks focus area has now been afforded resonance in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Programme of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA). PoWPA encourages parties to establish policies and institutional mechanisms that promote community participation, use social and economic benefits for poverty reduction, engage communities in participatory planning, and promote access to genetic resources. This is done with full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, in full respect of their rights and in recognition of their responsibilities. The programme provides a platform for conservation institutions across the country, communities affected by protected areas, potential funders, research

institutions and non-governmental organisations to discuss issues of common interest under the theme "conservation for the people by the people". A roadmap action plan is in place and guides the multi-stakeholder relationship.

The department through the Branches: Biodiversity and Conservation (B&C) and the Environmental Programmes projects has significantly changed the livelihood of communities and providing adequate infrastructure towards socio-economic beneficiation within the nature reserves. It has also created work opportunities to the unemployed of local communities, small medium and micro enterprises were utilised during the project to provide protective clothing, painting, construction materials, catering, plumbing, as well as transports for participants that are living as far as 20kms away from the projects' sites. The participants have also gain knowledge and skills through the training conducted for non-accredited and accredited training.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

• To ensure that biodiversity is conserved, protected and threats mitigated.
• To ensure fair access and equitable sharing of benefits from biological resources promoted.
• To ensure biological resources are utilised sustainably and regulated.
• To improve socio-economic benefits within the environmental sector.

a. INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT TYPES

• Development and upgrading of infrastructure in and around protected areas

• Erection of perimeter fence and associated security infrastructure.
• Upgrading/Construction of dilapidated infrastructure (offices, staff accommodation, overnights accommodation).
• Construction of environmental education and environmental information centres.
• Construction and upgrading of roads.
• Development of hiking trails.
• Heritage centers (incl. interpretation centres, sacred/burial sites).

• Visitor/recreational facilities e.g. campsites, viewing decks and caravan park, etc.
  
  

• Development of commercial assets for communities living around parks and protected areas

• Development of community owned accommodation / hospitality establishments and associated support infrastructure.
• Infrastructure development for viable establishments.
• Development of amphi-theatres for local groups as entertainment centers.
• Building of curios and display centers for community products.

Note:

• Infrastructure development within the protected areas will require consultation with the land claimants, Community Property Associations (CPAs) and conservation management authority.
• Infrastructure development requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) other special study as most of the deliverables have impact on the environment.