Comments on Kruger management Plan 2018/2028

[Richprins]

https://www.sanparks.org/assets/docs/co ... t-plan.pdf

[RogerFraser]

File attached

[RogerFraser]

Seems to be a very confused set of statements especially given the current developments taking place "Primary threats for large and mega herbivores, as well as large carnivores are poaching for
valuable wildlife products and non-sustainable contribution to the wildlife economy transformation
initiatives in South Africa. Other aspects, which could also influence the suite of mammal
species, include irresponsible tourism developments, inappropriate tourist densities in focal
areas, inappropriate fire and water management and potential consequences of climate change
(Endangered Wildlife Trust, 2017). Although the poaching of white and black rhinoceroses is a
key feature in the public domain, the legacy of social injustice remains as the primary challenge
to address in order to ensure the intactness of the park’s mammal assemblages in future."

[RogerFraser]

Also the budget shortfall is a worrying end note ,given the amount of negative experiences being reported with maintenance already :

R 247,780,655

An additional amount of R 179,189,937 is required to cover the current maintenance shortfall;
An additional amount of R 35,581,221 is required to cover operational expenses; and
An additional amount of R 35,187,497 is required for the replacement of assets.

Should the park be unsuccessful in securing the shortfall amount of R 247,780,655 then the following
programmes will be affected:
 Infrastructure programme: The park will be unable to maintain the current infrastructure to a
high standard;
Various programmes will be negatively affected, notably the Safety and Security
programme; and
 Assets: The park will be unable to replace assets that have reached the end of their life
span, operations could be adversely affected and thereby increasing the risk profile.

Pretty sure the annual park income exceeds the budget they are allocated so SANPARKS is using those funds elsewhere .SANPARKS needs to reinvest money spent in the park if they want to keep the visitor numbers happily coming back

[Richprins]

All focused on justifying moneymaking...

[Flutterby]

And yet they have money to build 'train hotels'!!

[H. erectus]

When last I spoke to B. Schrader, chief civil engineer, KNP, he
confirmed hardly to have any budget for road upgrades, let alone
new tar roads!!! With reference to Shangoni gate!!! Although the
management plan would like to show a positive situation(political)
regarding development hubs that would be socio- supportive, I doubt
there be any financial investment readily, outside the park that would
be conducive toward this ideology,...

Thus far the project on hold because of in-house fighting regarding
local governance, Limpopo province challenging Mpumulanga province
for the rights of the gate and where it will be situated!!

[Richprins]

This thing is extremely sad and I'm upset, to be honest. It is full of big words, again a bullshit baffles brains exercise underestimating the intelligence of the people of the world.

Reasons for commercialisation have been reshuffled a bit, seems they got the memo that poaching doesn't justify increased pay by all, hopefully. but now it is land claims again, an utter nonsense bugbear that has nothing to do with SANParks, and at the top of the list Maintenance!

FFS...maintenance, if done properly and on-site, is easily budgeted for!

Shame, SANParks, with your ESKOM approach to conservation!

It is time for a shakeup, no more trust.

[Richprins]

A choice extract:

5.2 Desired state for the park
In order for the current and future extent of the park to be protected and managed effectively, a
desired state for the park has been developed through an adaptive planning process to guide
park management in its daily operations. To formulate this desired state, focus was placed on
the mission, park context, operating principles and vital attributes that make this park unique, or
at least very special in its class. Each attribute was discussed along with important factors
determining / strengthening or threatening / eroding these attributes. Using this information
helped focus the exact formulation of the park objectives, which aim to strengthen positive
determinants and weaken or remove negative ones so that objectives are appropriate to the
uniqueness and special nature of this park. In this way, the management plan is customised
according to its local context, without detracting from some of its more generic functions along
with certain other parks. This framework forms a bridge between the CPF and its vision for the
park, and the medium term (10 years) priorities to attain the vision and mission in co-operation
with its stakeholders.

[Richprins]

Reading through the whole thing, it could have been summed up as "We need to make more and more money, and can find reasons at will, never mind logic."

End of story