Riverbed cycle challenge in Kgalagadi

[annie]

It would be very interesting to know how much in supporting finance this project of Kanabo Conservation Link had behind it. It would make a mockery of the stated imperative to raise funds through the cycle event if we were to discover that an equal or greater amount was turned down from this no-extra-impact activity...

[Toko]

Can someone please explain this project and give some detail info?

Isn't it a research project rather than a tourism project

I can not see any connection between this and the MTB challenge

[Wolf Avni]

Can someone please explain this project and give some detail info?

Isn't it a research project rather than a tourism project

I can not see any connection between this and the MTB challenge

The connection is this;
1. The cycle challenge, which will see 50 cyclists cycling down a fossil riverbed which is in the NO GO zone of the kgalagadi, by virtue of the maps that are part of the management plan of the park, plus guards, plus, guides,plus somewhere between 70-~100 vehicles all clogging the roads, including the low impact areas north of NOSSOB is justified, more, it is a good thing because it will raise funds and "market" the park

but an initiative to log carnivore movements and densities which is part of a bona fide scientific research program, and which requires nothing more than for flyers to be handed to guests when they book into the park (no additional impacts, no precedents being set, no intrusion into undeveloped parts of the part, no impact on a highly sensitive fossil riverbed... is rejected because it involves a tourism component which may be in conflict with some future tourism directive or policy that SANparks is currently researching with a view to discovering

what tourists expect and how visitors experience
natural and cultural heritage associated with National Parks.

So on the one hand we have this cycle event with a bus load of negatives (including impacts in contravention of the stated objectives in D.J. Pienaar's official letter) ,,, and that's fine... but on the other a legitimate scientific study with ZERO untested environmental impact is rejected... on the grounds stated in that letter, ,, (and because, as stated in a separate letter... KNP isn't reliant on 3rd party donations and they don't really need sponship or donor money attached to that scientific research program.)

AS Dylan says;
"I don't know if I'm smart,
but I think I can see
when someone is pulling the wool over me"

Just an idle ponder while we wait for SANparks to make good on their promise to re-assess the desirability of their cycle event, and to revert with their findings to stakeholders as pert the thread on the SANparks forum

[Toko]

Wolf

[BunnyHugger]

Wolf thank you so much for that explanation.

When I chose to play devil's advocate and debate the issue, I was not aware of the finer details and set out to state an opinion that perhaps the cycle event would not be as evil as perhaps seen by most.

With the new facts in mind however, I think I've changed my opinion.

the whole affair though convinces me more and more that the current management have no idea of what conservation really is.

Now would someone please hand me that high powered rifle so I can go and shoot the silly tart who conceived this idea.

[Lisbeth]

Thank you Wolf Even HB has been convinced that it is not the case to make challenges even on bicycles in KTP (which is very different from KNP and other Sanparks)

[Richprins]

Thanks, Wolf!

(I've never been to KTP either, Lis! But I have a lot of experience in dealing with SpManagement... )

Dr Pienaar is very highly respected within and outside SanParks...

[Mel]

Thanks Wolf!

And BH - I'm happy to hear you changed your mind.

[Bushcraft]

Thanks Wolf

[BunnyHugger]

Thanks Wolf!

And BH - I'm happy to hear you changed your mind.

Well Mel, if the truth be known, I would still love to ride a bike through a nature reserve. It is still not a high impact activity but given the sensitivity of the proposed areas, I'm mystified as to how rangers (even honorary rangers) can plan something so daft. Seriously, they would have to know its a No-Go area. (Some mothers children ...... )

I've just changed my mind about support for this particular one. Now if anyone hears about a ride through Kruger, lemme know so I can jump in riding shooz and all.