Workshop with Portfolio and Select Committees, DEAT and Public Entities 7-8 February 2005 BRANCH: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION

Commitments in 2004/2005 Promulgation and implementation of legislation Development of NBSAP Establishment of SANBI Inscription of newly identified WHS

Commitments in 2004/2005 Expand and consolidate PA’s Establish and implement TFCA’s People and Parks declaration CITES compliance

Achievements in 2004/2005 NEM: Protected Areas Act into force on 01 Nov Draft regulations to NPA’s finalised NEM: Protected Areas Amendment Act passed by the NA in Sep and NCOP in Oct NEMBA promulgated in June 04 National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment developed; draft action plan developed and circulated for comment NBF published by April 2005 SANBI launched on 2 Dec 2004; Board appointed Cape Floral Region inscribed on the World Heritage List People & Parks Programme launched by Deputy Minister, action plan in place

Achievements in 2004/2005 Electronic system developed for CITES permitting and being piloted in KZN Additional 66 000 ha proclaimed as national parks Mapungubwe National Park launched Draft policy framework for the ‘norms and standards’ for proposed Blyde National park 174 new beds established in TFCA’s Construction started on 70km road leading to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park GLTP Border Post completed Wild Coast Project: reactivated – consensus (stakeholder) – cabinet approved approach IUCN Presidency: African candidate elected

Gaps and challenges Alignment of provincial ordinances Development of an alien invasive species control programme NAP – lack of inter governmental co-ordination Inter & intra governmental co-ordination TFCA’s commitments by other countries Capacity to implement legislation effectively Settlement of land claims Community land as part of the park system

Medium Term Strategy 2005/06 – 2007/8 1. Effective system of managing trade and utilization of threatened, protected and commercial species 2. Create new commercial opportunities 3. Maintain and restore the optimal health and integrity of ecosystems and their processes

Medium Term Strategy 2005/06 – 2007/8 4. Expand the conservation estate Integrated Information Management System 6. Build scientific capacity for biodiversity management (SANBI)

Medium Term Strategy 2005/06 – 2007/8 7. Develop and implement regulatory systems for terrestrial resources 8. Combat illegal trade

Priorities for 2005/2006 Implementation of NEMBA and NEM: Protected Areas Act Expansion of national Protected Areas TFCA’s Marketing strategy Opening of GLTP border post Signing of MoU for Limpopo Shashe Wild Coast SDI Establish PMU – Consolidation of present PMU’s Land Use Plan – SEA finalised by Aug 2005 Establishment of Biosafety Directorate Establishing Bioprospecting Trust Fund

Priorities for 2005/2006 Publish and implement National Biodiversity Framework Implementation of NAP and Bioregions Expand electronic CITES permitting system to other provinces Develop ABS regulations Co-hosting of the 29th session of the WHC with DAC in July 2005, Durban Inscription of Makapans, Vredefort and Taung WHS on the World Heritage List Finalise regulations and establish WH Management Authorities for 4 sites BEE scorecard or BEE charter for the Hunting Industry

Capacity requirements to deliver on strategy Skills required: skills available in Branch – need to redeploy staff Organisational structure: Consulted and finalised Internship programme should be needs based; head hunting, bursaries Additional posts required: Biosafety Directorate Protected Areas e.g. International related matters and policy implementation

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