BY LOUISE DE WAAL - 12 MARCH 2018 - TRAVELLER24
Parliamentary wildlife colloquium ignores benefits of non-consumptive wildlife utilisation as ecological sustainability is obscured by the increasing commodification of SA’s wildlife resources.
Last week, the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) hosted a public colloquium at Parliament titled “Unlocking the socio-economic potential of South Africa’s biodiversity assets through sustainable use of wildlife resources”. A meeting that quickly turned into a rather one-sided pro-consumptive wildlife utilisation discussion.
According to MP Mapulane, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs, these public DEA colloquiums were created “as a platform for all contending views to be expressed and to engage in Parliament without taking one particular side”. However, it was very clear from the outset that the focus of this wildlife economy colloquium was on the consumptive wildlife utilisation.
No NGOs or stakeholders pro non-consumptive wildlife utilisation were given a panel discussion session at the colloquium to present an alternative view. Michele Pickover, Director of the EMS Foundation, voiced her concern that the “ethical and non-consumptive side of the discussion was completely silenced in the context of this colloquium. The discussion had mostly been about money and not conservation.”
Shonisani Munzhedzi, Deputy Director-General of Biodiversity and Conservation of DEA, defined the wildlife economy as a driver of rural development and prosperity through the sustainable use of wildlife assets, the socio-economic benefits of ecotourism, co-managed conservation areas, and related ancillary resources into secondary products that are consumed and traded domestically and internationally.
He stated that the current wildlife sector consists of three sub-sectors, wildlife ranching (breeding and live sale), wildlife activities (wildlife viewing, trophy hunting and biltong hunting), and wildlife products (game meat processing, skin and hide production and other products such as curio and decorations).
The sustainable non-consumptive wildlife economy, with a proven track record for bringing sustainable livelihoods to rural communities and especially to those living in close proximity of our protected areas for example through eco-tourism activities and nature conservation, was sadly disregarded.
The focus of the only presentation that was supposed to shed light on the value of this non-consumptive use of wildlife was changed at the last minute to what can only be described as a sales pitch by the Wildlife Biological Resources and Training Centre of Tshwane University of Technology.
Pickover also raised her concern on how “sustainable use” was being interpreted by the DEA, a term that was highly debated and contested.
Munzhedi indicated that 18.7 million ha (15.3%) of South Africa’s total land surface, often marginal land, is already occupied by wildlife ranching with significant potential for growth.
Xola Mkefe, Deputy Director-General of the DEA, said the aspiration of the Department was to promote an inclusive, sustainable and responsive wildlife economy that grows at 10% a year until at least 2030, while providing a foundation for social well-being and maintaining an ecological resource base. In terms of transformation, the aim of the sector is for 30% of wildlife businesses to be owned by previously disadvantaged individuals and in terms of sustainability for 5 million ha of non- protected areas to contribute towards the Aichi Conservation Target.
Subsequently, SANParks, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Wildlife Ranching South Africa, SA Hunters and Game Conservation Association South Africa, Exotic Leather Cluster of South Africa, Black Business Council, and Matsila Community Development Trust were all given the podium to present at the colloquium.
Dr Harriet Davies-Mostert, Head of Conservation of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, says we recognise “the critical importance of unlocking opportunities for job creation and poverty alleviation in South Africa and we believe that the wildlife economy has great potential to do this. We welcome the opportunity to engage with Parliament on this important matter.”
“We do, however, remain concerned that the principles of ecological sustainability have been obscured by the increasing commodification of our wildlife resources, as illustrated by several presentations delivered during the colloquium”, she continues. “It is our view that intensive wildlife production systems should not be evaluated solely on their socio-economic returns but should also demonstrate a net conservation benefit – thereby enhancing the persistence of wild, functioning wildlife populations.”
“We would welcome an opportunity to engage further with government and other role-players to define what we mean by the responsible and sustainable use of our country’s wildlife”, says Dr Davies-Mostert.
These concerns were echoed by other representatives from conservation and wildlife NGOs, who also felt the need for another colloquium to present an alternative perspective on economic transformation through eco-tourism and ethical conservation.
The Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa was in attendance, seven Portfolio Committee members representing the DA, ANC and EFF, as well as a range of public stakeholders.
Read original article: http://www.traveller24.com/Explore/Gree ... y-20180312
and if they think that building hotels will increase that draw they are wrong!! People from overseas want to stay in the thatched round or square or whatever bungalows. The kind of hotel that they are building in Skukuza, you can find all over the world 
Given up? They cannot find a partner? Is the Radisson still in?
