Panorama
 
 
 
 

MINISTER OPENS NEWS ACCESS ROAD AT ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK’S 75TH YEAR CELEBRATION


Environmental Panorama
International
August of 2006

TUESDAY, 15 AUGUST 2006: New areas for conservation and new opportunities for the communities living adjacent to the Addo Elephant National Park were opened up today by Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk with the official opening of the new southern access road in the Park.

Speaking from the 75th Year Celebrations of the Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) in the Eastern Cape, the Minister announced the opening of the new road linking the new gate at the AENP’s Camp Matyholweni, near the town of Colchester on the N2, to the existing tourist roads in the Park.

“The construction of this new access road was made possible by a R33 million poverty relief grant by the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism,” said Minister Van Schalkwyk. “Employment created through this construction directly benefited previously unemployed local community members and the community of Colchester will continue to benefit from this development with the influx of tourists through this southern access road.”

The opening of the new road signifies yet another achievement in the expansion and development of the Addo Elephant National Park. “Through new land incorporated into the Park, it has grown to one of the most biologically diverse protected areas in the country,” said Dr. David Mabunda , Chief Executive of South African National Parks (SANParks).

“Today we celebrate 75 years of success in the three core pillars of SANParks: conservation, tourism and people & conservation,” added Mabunda. “The Addo Elephant National Park has been transformed from an area proclaimed for the conservation of a single species to one conserving the unique biodiversity of the Eastern Cape, while providing real benefits for local communities and stakeholders.”

The Addo Elephant National Park stretches from the karoo near Somerset East to the coastal areas between Sundays River Mouth and Bushman’s River Mouth. In addition, the Park includes the Bird and St. Croix Islands in Algoa Bay, incorporating a vital marine component.

Five of South Africa’s seven biomes - or major vegetation types with associated animal species - are conserved within the Park, creating a myriad of habitats for wildlife, landscapes and experiences.

“From proclamation in 1931, the Park has grown from just over 2,000 hectares to 164 000 hectares today,” said Park Manager, Lucius Moolman. Moolman added that the Park had shown tremendous growth in tourism, attracting over 140 000 visitors annually and acting as a tourism hub for the region.

Plans for the future include an expansion goal of 236 000 hectares of terrestrial conservation area, with a proposed associated 120 000 hectare Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Algoa Bay. Plans for the proposed MPA will first be subjected to a rigorous public participation process to ensure concerns of local communities and stakeholders are taken into account.

Once expansion is complete, Addo Elephant National Park will be the third largest of South Africa’s National Parks with an unequalled offering of biodiversity and experiences.
Riaan Aucamp (Ministry)
Megan Bradfield (AENP)

 
 

Source: South African Environmental (http://www.environment.gov.za)
Press consultantship

All rights reserved

 
 
 
 

 

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