African Wildlife and Environment Issue 65

GENERAL

EDITORIAL The resurrection of African Wildlife & Environment has been met with approval by many members of WESSA. Thanks to those who provided feedback on how we could improve the layout and content. We are pleased to present issue 65 which contains a variety of articles and features that will provide much interesting (and sometimes concerning) information, with some good news stories and superb photographs. A concerning thread that runs through several of our stories is how government departments are failing to do their jobs properly, or are taking decisions that seem to be based on political and economic reasons rather than a proper evaluation of scientific and environmental priorities. Firstly, read about the battle to save the Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA) which comprises 3 000 ha of prime agricultural land in Cape Town, and the main recharge source for the Cape Flats Aquifer, a massive underground reservoir that could help the city’s chronic water shortages. The national Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries made a ruling that plans to destroy the PHA and build a massive housing development on top of the aquifer cannot be allowed. But this ruling has been ignored (twice) by the City of Cape Town. A concerned group is fighting for the PHA, and some of our readers may want to join them. Our water expert, Professor Anthony Turton, describes some ‘alternative facts’ quoted by government concerning the management of Acid Mine Drainage AMD. The Minister of Water Affairs claimed that her Department would be producing ‘fully treated water that will significantly increase water supply to the Vaal River System’. However, while the acid is neutralised, the salt is not removed. “The harsh reality is that water security for the Gauteng economy will only be possible by 2030 as claimed if both Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and the full desalination of the neutralised effluent currently being discharged from the three AMD ‘treatment’ plants takes place on schedule.” The Sani Wildlife Branch of WESSA participated in the EIA process for the proposed upgrading of the Sani Pass to a tarred surface. A strong case was made for a hard gravel road instead, which was initially accepted by the Minister. However, two provincial

Dr John Ledger

government departments objected, and the Minister then approved the tarring of the road, and would not allow an appeal against this ruling. In so many cases the EIA process seems to be a formality, and unless interested parties are prepared to go to court, the political expedience wins the day. The role of the Department of Environment Affairs (DEA) is a curious one, for it has a split personality that in human terms would be called a psychological disorder. On the one hand the DEA is responsible for safeguarding the nation’s biodiversity, yet on the other, the Department also makes decisions on developments that impact the environment. The Tsitsikamma National Park Marine Protected Area (MPA), which has been a ‘no-take’ zone since 2001, last year had certain areas opened to fishing, as an example of human wants and political expediency trumpingwell-researchedand long-termconservation management imperatives. The DEA’s primary responsibility for biodiversity protection and conservation is also compromised by it also being the agency that approves the construction of wind farms, knowing full well from studies in other parts of the world that these industrial-scale developments will kill numbers of birds and bats. If and when that turns out to be the case, can the DEA be held responsible for failing to execute its primary function? WESSA is also fighting proposals to mine coal just outside the fence-line of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (HIP). This would contravene the Department of Mineral Resources’ own 2013 Mining and Biodiversity Guidelines. The DMR should have rejected the initial application on the grounds that it would be impacting on a Wilderness Area of international importance, and that it would set an unacceptable precedent for allowing mining within buffer zones around Protected Areas. It would seem that where there is money to be made, the environment pays the price.

For more about the amazing work done by Vulpro visit page 62

So how does the government get held to account for these bad decisions against the environment and biodiversity? Hopefully by a strong political opposition in parliament that vigorously opposes poor decision-making and offers better alternatives from the environmental and biodiversity viewpoint. But let’s move on to lighter matters, and some uplifting reading… The Gauteng Conservancy Association is going strong, with 60 conservancies now registered in the province. This is encouraging evidence of active citizens getting involved in environmental protection. We feature two wonderful destinations that readers may want to follow up; uMngeni Valley and Twinstreams. Both sound like places that would be marvellous to visit. Readers will enjoy our regular Game Ranger Stories from the entertaining pen of Bryan Havemann. In this issue he shares some of his exciting encounters with predators while working in the Kruger National Park – some rather hairy and exciting adventures he experienced at first hand! Most readers will enjoy a great article on gardening for birds, with some very good tips about what plants will attract some feathered diversity to your garden.

The magnificent yellowwood trees are of great attraction to anyone interested in nature, and we have a good feature on South Africa’s yellowwoods in this issue. While on the natural history theme, we even take you to the Okavango Delta for an update on crocodiles. Environmental education is covered by features on the concept of ‘Sustainability Commons’ and the Eco-Schools programme. The ‘WESSA Eco-Schools is a school-based environmental management, certification, and sustainable development education programme implemented in no less than 64 countries worldwide.’ Finally, we have our birding feature, this time the Southern Carmine Bee-Eater, with stunning photographs by Albert Froneman, as well as news about Vulpro, an organisation doing excellent work to provide a helping hand to vultures in distress. Please help to spread the word about their existence and their service to vultures.

Dr John Ledger Consulting Editor john.ledger@wol.co.za

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