THE REVISION OF BLACK AND WHITE RHINO BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLANS YIELD POSITIVE RESULTS
30 November 2023
iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
invited a number of stakeholders around iSimangaliso for a consultation session on the revision of the
Black and White Rhino Biodiversity Management Plans. This session was held at Mkhuze section of
iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This session was planned for 5 provinces that are KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo,
Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and North West. This comes few weeks after iSimangaliso through GEF-7
project and DFFE conducted site visit to all iSimangaliso areas that have Rhino’s, with a purpose of
inspecting and updating the Law enforcement equipment to ensure the safety of Rhino’s.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment decided to embark on this stakeholder
consultation to ensure that inputs from all stakeholders on the development of Black and White Rhino
Biodiversity Management Plans are included. This is also because the existing plans were developed by
the panel of experts and Scientists with little if not non consultation of communities living in and adjacent
to protected areas that are home to these creatures.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment appointed a specialist to facilitate the
session. Stakeholders that were invited are Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and
DFFE. iSimangaliso extended the invitation to communities and traditional leadership to come participate
to this meeting. It was vital to invite communities as they are key role players considering that they are
living adjacent the Mkhuze Game Reserve which is habit of the Rhino. It is also a significant conservation
value to have local communities proximal to Rhino’s who are aware of the importance of protecting
Rhino’s as our heritage. The turn-up on the side of the communities was great and leadership was well
represented. About 50 Community representatives who honoured the invitation and attended this session
coming from Nsinde, Ngwenya, Jobe, Makhasa and Mnqobokazi Traditional Council.
During this session, four groups were created and given 3 sets of questions to answer. Groups were
requested to appoint chairperson, scriber and one person who is going to report back during reporting
session. They were asked questions such as what is the value of Black and White Rhino, Are they having
any challenges or constraints in realising the value of Rhino and what can be the solutions to help
communities realise the value of White and Black Rhino’s.
This was a fruitful session as the communities were given an opportunity to give their comments on the
revision of the Black and White Rhino Biodiversity Management Plans. the interaction between the
participants was very progressive and informative. Communities were able to express themselves freely
on the significance Rhino’s have in their lives, citing issues of heritage, income generation through
tourism, creation of job opportunities, education and awareness for their children. The interaction of
participants was very progressive and informative. Communities were pleased as they felt involved on
how best government seeks to protect these creature through their involvement in the crafting of the
plans.
The last session will be between The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and other
affected stakeholder which is going to take place online or through virtual platform. The whole process
will culminate to the revised draft of Black and White Rhino Biodiversity Management Plans which is
going to be submitted to the minister for the approval.
End
Statement issued by iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority
Media enquires:
Mr. Bheki Manzini
Call/WhatsApp: 060 533 2082
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