Scattering of ashes in the KNP

[Flutterby]

Media Release: Procedure regarding scattering of ashes in the KNP

Date: 30th October 2013

South African National Parks (SANParks) would like to remind the public to follow proper procedures if they wish to scatter ashes of their loved ones in the Kruger National Park (KNP).

This practice, which has been in place for years has reached a stage wherein management now finds containers, caskets/urns, small tombstones, crosses, memorials or other symbols of remembrance placed or attached against rocks, trees, look out points and other structures in the Park; which is not allowed in a National Park.

“We would like to inform people who place such items without permission from Management that their items would be removed as they contaminate the environment and detracts from the ambience of the Park. Not only is this a contravention of the National Environmental Management: Protection Areas Act No. 57 of 2003; but it is also disrespectful to other visitors to the KNP,” said the General Manager: Conservation Manager, Dr Freek Venter.

As per the policy, visitors are welcome to send in written requests to scatter ashes in the bush or to place plaques/benches in memory of their loved ones but permission must be granted by Management beforehand. The relevant staff will then find the proper locality for them, in line with the conditions and relevant legislation; as long as no item is left behind and there is no private ceremony that may impact on the experience of other visitors.

It must also be noted that approval for these requests does not constitute current or future unrestricted, free access to the park nor does it allow exclusivity for family members over any other visitor to the Park.


Some of the unauthorized urns, containers and photographs which were removed from the KNP’s Mathekenyane Look-out Point and Stevenson-Hamilton Memorial Site recently.


Illegal symbols and memorials attached against trees in the KNP.


Ranger staff removes one of the unlawful plaques attached on the rocks.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks), Kruger National Park Communications
Tel: 013 735 4262

Enquiries:
William Mabasa
General Manager: Communications and Marketing, Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363, Cell: 082 807 3919
Email: william.mabasa@sanparks.org

[Toko]

This has been brought to SANParks' attention by Gerhard.

Well done, Gerhard

[okie]

Sanparks should now invite all those people who had left the stuff there , to collect it , and then issue them with a heavy fine to help pay for the costs incurred

[Flutterby]

This has been brought to SANParks' attention by Gerhard.

Well done, Gerhard

They should have mentioned that!!

[Sprocky]

2013-10-30 14:41

Dane McDonald, News24

Cape Town – The scattering of human ash will not be allowed at the Kruger National Park without prior permission, park authorities say, as lookout points have become dirty.

“We have allowed people to scatter ashes over all these years, but some have even put plaques on top of rocks and trees”, Kruger National Park general manager of communications, William Mabasa told News24.

The situation has reached a point where the park management now finds little coffins, small tombstones, crosses, memorials or other symbols of remembrance placed or attached against rocks, trees, look out points and other structures in the Park.

“You can’t throw foreign objects in the park,” Mabasa said.

According to the Park’s conservation manager, Dr Freek Venter, the items contaminate the park and detract from its ambience.

“Not only is this a contravention of the National Environmental Management: Protection Areas Act No. 57 of 2003; but it is also disrespectful to other visitors to the KNP,” he said.

Visitors will now be expected to send in written requests to scatter ashes in the bush and relevant staff will then find a proper area, in line with the conditions and relevant legislation.

Mabasa said families can claim urns and other items but will be liable to a fine.


- News24

[Richprins]

Why don't they just scatter the ashes and duck? That's the way most used to do it? The memorial benches are great though!


I think mine will be in the Pafuri Wimpy, with a suitably frowny face in the writing!

Bit of double standards here though?

viewtopic.php?f=79&t=1246&hilit=numbi+grave

[Sprocky]

Just leave a pile of ashes in a corner in the late persons favourite unit. The way they clean, the ashes will be there for years.

[H. erectus]

The way they clean, the ashes will be there for years

[H. erectus]

Never scatter ashes near a braai facility,...

One will reincarnate very confused!!!

[Sprocky]

"Ashes to ashes" might currently be an apt saying, considering the way KNP is heading!