Controversial rezoning approved?

[Richprins]

Interestingly, this media release does NOT seem to appear on the SanParks website!

Surely it should, if it is such wonderful news?????

[Flutterby]

Missed all of this last night!! What a way to start the day!!!

[Lisbeth]

Gerhard wrote:

Radio 702 is planning an interview with the Minister of Environmental Affairs about the approval of the PDZ for the KNP.
Hopefully I will also be involved.
The interviews will be between 12:15 and 12:30 today.

[Lisbeth]

Here is an extract from Hansard:


Ref: 02/1/5/2


MINISTER

QUESTION NO. 1395 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

A draft reply to Mrs M Wenger (DA) to the above-mentioned question is enclosed for your consideration.

Dr Monde Mayekiso

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)

DATE:

DRAFT REPLY APPROVED/AMENDED

MRS B E E MOLEWA, MP

MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

DATE:

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

(For written reply)

QUESTION NO. 1395
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14 NW1645E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 May 2012

Mrs M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) What is the purpose of the proposed peripheral development zone (PDZ) for the Kruger National Park that is currently developed by the SA National Parks (SANParks);

(2) whether there was any consultation with the public in the development of the PDZ; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether she has approved the establishment of the PDZ in the Kruger National Park; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) whether the proposed PDZ is consistent with the provisions of the Biodiversity Policy and Strategy for South Africa: Strategy on Buffer Zones for National Parks (details furnished); if not, what will be done to rectify the situation; if so, how was this conclusion reached?


Mrs M Wenger (DA)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

1395. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) The purpose of the peripheral development zone (PDZ) is as follows:

· To create a conservation corridor which will, among others, serve as a mechanism to reduce poaching incursions into the Greater Lebombo Conservancy( GLC) and the Kruger National Park ( KNP) through establishing and operating a joint task force

· To use the conservation corridor to facilitate harmonisation of management policies and practices

· To secure the eastern boundary line of the GLC to prevent or minimise human-wildlife conflict

· To use the conservation corridor to facilitate cross border tourism, to stimulate investment into the corridor as well as into the neighbouring communities in Mozambique

· To generate socio-economic opportunities such as jobs, community facilities like schools and clinics for the benefit of local communities in Mozambique


(2) Yes, there were consultations with key stakeholders in Mozambique and South Africa including members of the GLC, the Ministry of Tourism in Mozambique, the South African National Defence Force and the South African Police Services.


(3) Yes, the Minister approved the establishment of the PDZ and this will be followed by a memorandum of understanding that will be signed between the Government of the Republic of Mozambique and the Government of the Republic of South Africa.


My notes:

Please note that NO mention is made of any public particip[ation whatsoever.

Where will the schools and clinics be built, please read the reply and explain it to me.

There are so many contradictions that I am now more confused than before.

Indeed a sad day for conservation in OUR heritage.

(4) Yes, the proposed PDZ is consistent with the provisions of the Biodiversity Policy and Strategy for South Africa in that it promotes the management of the KNP and the GLC as a contiguous conservation area. The GLC comprises natural areas of high biodiversity value which are critical for the long-term persistence of biodiversity in the KNP. The reduction in the incidences of rhino poaching through the buffer zone development will significantly contribute towards the conservation of this globally threatened iconic species

[Richprins]

Ja, that was added to the initial Scoping Report by V&L, so doesn't answer their additional queries regarding the Malelane Hotel specifically, and they are waiting for a written statement re. additions made to the PDZ submission by SanParks after the initial submission... (Note date is 25 May)


Neither the EIA consultants nor Kruger Park were aware of the Minister's statement this morning.


All very confusing at the moment!

[Lisbeth]

With the Zoning Plan approved IMO there should not be need for a EIA anymore The Malelane Hotel is inside the so-called "Conversation Corridor" (that name is a joke ).

[Lisbeth]

From the Sanparks Forum:

A further extract from Hansard:


Dr Monde Mayekiso

DIRECTOR-GENERAL (ACTING)


DATE:

DRAFT REPLY APPROVED/AMENDED

MRS B E E MOLEWA, MP

MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS


DATE:

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

(For written reply)


QUESTION NO. 1323
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 13 NW1566E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 May 2012

Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) How many (a) hotels and (b) lodges does SANParks intend to build in the Kruger National Park until the end of the 2017-18 financial year;

(2) whether any (a) hotel and (b) lodge developments other than the Malelane and Skukuza developments are being planned; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) what is the current status of the proposed Malelane development?


Mrs S V Kalyan (DA)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

1321. Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) The following hotels and lodges are planned, and depending on funding and feasibility, may be built in the Kruger National Park (KNP) in the next five years:

a) Hotels:
· Malelane Safari Lodge
· Skukuza Conference Lodge
b) Lodges:
· Shangoni Lodge (the site is still to be determined but will be on the periphery of the park and possibly outside the KNP boundary)
· Smaller rustic tent camps with between 5 and 8 tents per camp are planned for the following sites:

§ Shingwedzi
§ Letaba
§ Talamati
§ Satara
§ Orpen
§ Berg-en-dal

(2) The Shangoni Lodge and smaller rustic tent camps as detailed above.

(3) The Malelane Safari Lodge: The detailed planning is progressing well with the final scoping report to be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in due course. It is anticipated that the environmental impact assessment will be completed towards the end of 2012. Should a positive record of decision be obtained, construction will commence thereafter.

The proposed hotel-style accommodation facilities are part of the Commercialisation Strategy and justified by the need to diversify the product range offered. The target market is the South African business sector (for conferences), a section of the middle class (all races) that prefers a full service (without bringing the whole grocery shop to the park or cook for oneself). Families with children prefer to have some form of modern conveniences to keep their children happy. The target market will be South Africans and therefore the pricing of the hotels will accommodate both the local and overseas markets. The new developments will in total create between 600-700 jobs from the conceptualisation through the construction to the operational stages. These jobs are vital in the Lowveld region where unemployment runs up to 70% of the regional population. The proposed hotel developments enjoy the support of 181 communities living around the KNP (estimated at 3 million people), 7 district municipalities in the region, traditional authorities, the South African Tourism Business Council (representing the entire tourism industry), the Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism, organised labour and many sections of the silent majority living in townships, rural areas and the informal settlements of our country. In addition to this, additional revenue for the funding of conservation would be generated.

There is no empirical or scientific evidence that suggests that these developments will have any negative impacts on biodiversity or ecosystems. The private party will be required to adhere to all applicable responsible tourism standards as well as the “greening” principles and criteria derived from the existing standards set by SANParks for the concessions as reflected in the SANParks Management Plan Policy Framework, the KNP Management Plan, the Concession Operations Manual as well as the National Responsible Tourism Guidelines of the DEA. No exclusive traversing has been granted to the private operator and the Safari Resort development will be operated from the Malelane Entrance Gate Park and Ride Facility minimising the traffic on the roads. The building style and structure will be in harmony with the environment including the local culture and physiognomy.


I have been asked why I found it necessary to go to Parliament to get the answers to my questions as per the two above Hansard extracts. The answer is very simple - because the SANParks management refused to answer them.

[mposthumus]

A , day in the "history" of KNP!!!

[lowveldboy]

I have decided that in the next 2 years I have to visit and photograph every camp in KNP, because after that all will be lost. The end has started

[Mel]

We were also discussing to go for a last time to see and remember it the way it is.
But we won't be making it before October 2013 and that could already be too late,
as far as I gathered...