Cooperation with Reunion

[Richprins]

Media Release: France and South Africa join forces to protect biodiversity in South Africa and on Reunion Island, with the support of AFD

30 May 2021

Pretoria - A bipartite agreement between South African National Parks (SANParks) - the public institution managing South Africa's national parks, and the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) was signed today. The ceremony was held in presence of Mr Remy Rioux, Chief Executive Officer of the AFD, and of Dr Luthando Dziba, Acting Chief Executive Officer of SANParks, as a limited audience event due to COVID restrictions. The funding is allocated to support the sharing of experiences between SANParks and the Reunion Island National Park (PNR) to preserve biodiversity in South Africa and Reunion Island.

The implementation of this project is part of the cooperation agreement signed on 28 February 2019 in Pretoria (South Africa) between Reunion Island National Park and SANParks. The project will benefit from 1.85 million Euro in financial support from AFD, including 1,2 million Euro to SANParks and 0,65.million Euro to Reunion Island National Park.

"Biodiversity conservation is one of France's priorities. France will host the World Conservation Congress in 2021. Through this exemplary regional cooperation project, France is providing concrete support for the preservation of biodiversity in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean," Aurelien Lechevallier, Ambassador of France to South Africa.

The project focuses on territory-to-territory cooperation between Reunion Island National Park (PNR) and Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) in Cape Town. TMNP, nominated as the main project partner, is managed by SANParks, an internationally recognized reference for protected area management. SANParks oversees the management of 67% of the country's terrestrial protected areas. TMNP covers 25,000 ha of natural areas located in the heart of Cape Town, stretching to the tip of the Cape of Good Hope. The Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004 and is the most visited park in the SANParks network with five million visitors per year. The PNR was created in 2007 and is a French public institution. Its territory covers 70% of the island's surface area, with a central zone that houses 94% of the island's endemic biodiversity. The Park attracts around one million visitors per year and manages the UNESCO World Heritage Site. "Pitons, cirques and ramparts of Reunion Island".

The two parks face similar challenges in terms of management and conservation of fragile ecosystems. Both parks are located in urban environments, which stretch from the mountain to the sea, with a presence of invasive and vulnerable species, and high numbers of tourists. Both SANParks and PNR will contribute expertise and collaborate on improving park management. In addition, the project will mobilize partner research bodies, including the University of Reunion, CIRAD and the University of Cape Town.

According to SANParks Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr Luthando Dziba, this peer-to-peer project will allow the teams of the two parks to strengthen their capacity by exchanging experiences around park management. "The main project activities include developing strategic plans and sharing tools for invasive species management, vulnerable species management, fire management and climate change preparedness, training, pilot field interventions, awareness-raising activities and joint studies and research."

Dr Dziba said the expected project impacts include a strengthening of know-how and skills for the biological control of invasive alien species and associated restoration (for example, integration of new detection tools from aerial images), anti-poaching, and analysis of risks. In addition, project outputs will address management of vulnerabilities related to the effects of climate change and its consequences for the territories of PNR and TMNP, governance and dialogue with stakeholders involved in the management and use of the parks, and management of the World Heritage site.

Media enquiries:
AFD
Southern Africa Regional Office
Erica Penfold: penfolde@afd.fr

AFD
Indian Ocean Regional Directorate
Severine Barde Carlier: bardecarliers@afd.fr

Reunion National Park (PNR)
Julie Lebihan: julie.lebihan@reunion-parcnational.fr

SANParks
Reynold "Rey" Thakhuli
SANParks Acting Head of Communications
Cell: 073 373 4999 or email: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org

[Lisbeth]

[Klipspringer]

Probably pretty useless

[Richprins]

They had better look after the money...