Re: Pilanesberg - Information
Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 4:35 pm
More interesting info:
Pilanesberg’s influence in the field of conservation
Pilanesberg was the first large protected area to have been deliberately created for local economic improvement and regional development. As the first “green fields” project with a socio-economic objective in the region, there was no proven model to draw on during its conceptualisation, planning and development. Innovative thinking amongst planners and policy makers, and the commitment of board members and management staff, was critical for success. Pilanesberg has contributed to conservation knowledge in fields such as: protected area planning; taking the socio-economic context into account; community participation; satisfying tourist needs; ecological restoration; introduction of professional management principles to wildlife management; and commercialisation of tourism. Through trial and error, innovative models were developed and many valuable lessons learnt which became valuable to other conservation agencies.
The Future
When the Pilanesberg Management Plan was reviewed in 2002, it was realised that the Park had become so popular, that it was under threat from over-utilisation by tourists. As a result, history was made on 8 April 2005 when the North West Province launched the Heritage park project: a vision shared by communities, land owners, government and other stakeholders to expand Pilanesberg to the north, ultimately linking it with Madikwe Game Reserve.
It is an ambitious plan expected to be achieved over a period of fifteen to twenty years. The goal is to change the land use in the identified area from marginal agricultural – mostly cattle farming – to a nature-based tourism and conservation area of more than 250,000 ha. This initiative has the potential of bringing new economic hope to one of the poorest and remotest parts of the North West Province.
Key stakeholders in the are committed to one of the most important conservation and socio-economic upliftment programmes in recent times. The incorporation of Black Rhino Reserve in the northwest of the Pilanesberg was the first step taken to achieve this vision.
Source: Pilanesberg National Park Map & Guide Book
Pilanesberg’s influence in the field of conservation
Pilanesberg was the first large protected area to have been deliberately created for local economic improvement and regional development. As the first “green fields” project with a socio-economic objective in the region, there was no proven model to draw on during its conceptualisation, planning and development. Innovative thinking amongst planners and policy makers, and the commitment of board members and management staff, was critical for success. Pilanesberg has contributed to conservation knowledge in fields such as: protected area planning; taking the socio-economic context into account; community participation; satisfying tourist needs; ecological restoration; introduction of professional management principles to wildlife management; and commercialisation of tourism. Through trial and error, innovative models were developed and many valuable lessons learnt which became valuable to other conservation agencies.
The Future
When the Pilanesberg Management Plan was reviewed in 2002, it was realised that the Park had become so popular, that it was under threat from over-utilisation by tourists. As a result, history was made on 8 April 2005 when the North West Province launched the Heritage park project: a vision shared by communities, land owners, government and other stakeholders to expand Pilanesberg to the north, ultimately linking it with Madikwe Game Reserve.
It is an ambitious plan expected to be achieved over a period of fifteen to twenty years. The goal is to change the land use in the identified area from marginal agricultural – mostly cattle farming – to a nature-based tourism and conservation area of more than 250,000 ha. This initiative has the potential of bringing new economic hope to one of the poorest and remotest parts of the North West Province.
Key stakeholders in the are committed to one of the most important conservation and socio-economic upliftment programmes in recent times. The incorporation of Black Rhino Reserve in the northwest of the Pilanesberg was the first step taken to achieve this vision.
Source: Pilanesberg National Park Map & Guide Book
