Closure of Water Points in Kruger National Park

[Richprins]

Getting this back up to speed!


Kruger artificial watering holes to close
May 22 2013 at 04:44pm
By SAPA
Johannesburg - Four artificial water holes in the Kruger National Park will be demolished to prevent ecological problems, the park said on Wednesday.
“Artificial water holes, where water did not previously occur, have led to numerous ecological problems such as erosion and other environmental degradation,” spokesman William Mabasa said.
The water holes to be destroyed are N’watimhiri and Nhlotini, both on the S21 tourist road, and Manyavula and Bejwane, along the southern side of the N’waswitshaka River and west of the S65 gravel road.
The holes would be demolished next week, Mabasa said.
When the holes were destroyed the surrounding areas would be cleared for safety reasons and all nearby roads temporarily closed.
“Management of the Kruger National Park's diverse ecosystems is in line with the current approach to wildlife management in the park,” Mabasa said.
The park had been closing artificial water points for the past six years, with the last closures having taken place near Mopani Rest Camp in October 2012.
“With the continuous research data at our disposal we have gradually changed our outlook on biodiversity management over the years.
“With this data available, policies and procedures can be revisited and revised, and this is evident in the change in policy regarding water distribution in the park,” Mabasa said. - Sapa

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/ ... kKhgdKBldw

[Richprins]

Date: 23rd October 2012

The Kruger National Park (KNP) will demolish its artificial boreholes and dams near Mopani Restcamp in the northern part of the park today (Tuesday, 23 October 2012). Explosives will be used to demolish these structures. The area around the target structure will be cleared to ensure that animals and human beings are safe.

“This is in line with the current approach to wildlife management in the park. KNP has been closing all artificial water points since the last five years” said the Head of Communication and Public Relations, Mr William Mabasa.

Artificial water holes where water did not previously occur have led to numerous ecological problems. This resulted in a negative consequence to the rare herbivore species such as roan and sable antelope. Conservation management has taken drastic steps to rectify these negative consequences by demolishing certain artificial water holes. These will be replaced by naturally occurring water holes in the area.

Issued by:
Public Relations Department,
Kruger National Park, SANParks
Enquiries:
William Mabasa
HOD: Public Relations and Communication
Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919 or
email: william.mabasa@sanparks.org


http://www.sanparks.co.za/about/news/de ... p?id=55351

[Richprins]

The scary one:


http://www.sanparks.org/assets/docs/for ... placed.pdf

[Richprins]

Really worth the read:

http://www.bwa.co.za/Articles/Borehole% ... 20Park.pdf

[Richprins]

http://celtis.sanparks.org/parks/kruger ... _ISmit.pdf

http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/co ... .Water.pdf

[Richprins]

The point is, as the latest pollution threat has hit the Olifants river, and all the major rivers entering Kruger get hit by threats from siltation to agricultural overutilisation to sewage problems etc. it is not prudent to obliterate water points, rather just close the tap or open a slipway in case water is required in future?

We also have an extended wet cycle now, but who knows when that may be reversed, as in Zimbabwe and Northwest province recently?

Just my opinion.

[Flutterby]

KNP to close more Artificial Water Holes

The Kruger National Park (KNP) will demolish three artificial water holes in the southern part of the Park in the week of 8-12 December 2014. Explosives will be used to demolish these structures; after which the rubble will be removed as part of the rehabilitation process.
Three of the six water-holes to be closed will be either: N’wanetsana concrete weir – found at Mutlumvi concession, Rhino Walking Safaris. Bejwane – located along the southern side of N’wasitshaka River, in the Skukuza Section, far from tourist roads. Matlhari and Olienhoutfontein - both along N’wasitshaka River, far from tourist roads in the Pretoriuskop Section. Also N’watindlopfu South (Olifant Drinkgat) and Manzimahle North – both in the vicinity of Mantimahle Dam.

“The area around the target structures will be cleared to ensure animals and human beings are safe; all roads in the areas will also be temporarily closed. Specific information with regards to which roads will be closed when will be communicated closer to the time. KNP has been closing artificial water points for the past seven years, with the last closures having taken place in May 2013,” said the General Manager: Communications and Marketing, Mr William Mabasa.

Artificial water holes where water did not previously occur have led to numerous ecological problems such as erosion and other environmental degradation. This also resulted in a negative consequence for the rare herbivore species such as roan and sable antelope, increasing grazing competition by the more abundant herbivores. Conservation management has taken steps to rectify these negative consequences by closing and demolishing certain artificial water holes. These will be replaced by naturally occurring water holes in the area, where possible and where negative ecological consequences are not likely.

“With the continuous research data at our disposal, we have gradually changed our outlook on biodiversity management over the years. With this data available, policies and procedures can be revisited and revised; and this is evident in the change in policy regarding water distribution in the Park” concluded Mabasa.


Issued by:
Communications & Marketing Department - Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4262, cell: 082 807 1441 or email: laura.mukwevho@sanparks.org

Enquiries:
William Mabasa, GM: Communications & Marketing, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919 or email: william.mabasa@sanparks.org

[nan]

maybe the water will be... for the new hôtels

[H. erectus]

I just cannot for the life of me understand why dynamite
needs to be used,. For goodness sake???

Just cap the darned well and remove the ugly structures!!!

Geesh are we here trying to prove a point by means of
overkill!!! For goodness sake Sanparks most of those
structures come from generous donation,.....

[H. erectus]

Hey Sanparks, your'e gonna need that dynamite in the
distant future, in fact a lot more, when you come to
realize that the hotel venture was a flop!!!