South Africa's Drakensberg mountains have a new 6,500 ha nature reserve. The recently established Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve is working with communities and will preserve ancient rock art, vital grasslands, and water sources for millions of people. It connects a neighbouring World Heritage Site, the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu-Natal, to another nature reserve, the Sterkfontein Nature Reserve in the Free State, expanding a huge transnational protected area from South Africa to neighbouring Lesotho.
Most importantly, it will open a new and important wildlife migration corridor. Migratory animal populations will be able to recover as they'll no longer be isolated and fragmented.
It took six years for landowners and conservationists to get the new park formally declared, much faster than it usually takes to have land declared protected. It was only possible due to a high degree of consensus among landowners that a commitment to conservation was the best way to manage their land for future generations.
I research how land and ecological systems are governed across boundaries.
I believe the new reserve takes forward a commitment made by South Africa at the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties that it would protect 30% of its land (including mountains) and oceans by 2030.
So far, only 9,2% of South Africa's land is under protection and biodiversity loss is increasing. This is why strategic additions to protected areas are particularly important.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 05, 2024-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 05, 2024-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Tasty, nutritious beans come in many forms
Beans originated in Central and South America and have been domesticated for thousands of years
Can privately owned One Loft Races revive pigeon racing in SA?
In this article, part one of a three-part series on pigeon racing, Thomas Smit looks at the sport's decline in South Africa, and whether One Loft Races, with their attractive cash prizes, can revive it.
Managing macadamia production when margins are low
Macadamia nut farms have been in dire straits over the past two seasons as prices have dropped and input costs have risen. With little relief on the horizon, orchard management needs to be revised to maintain sustainability. Lindi Botha looks at the options available to farmers to reduce their costs.
Lessons on the importance of general herd management
Louis Steyl, CEO of the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the true value of effectively managing a Bonsmara herd in order to maximise profit.
Combating GBV scourge in rural communities
A ground-breaking programme is addressing gender-based violence in South Africa's rural communities and empowering young men to fight harmful stereotypes
The role of One Health in sustainable farming and well-being
A movement strengthening relationships between communities and the land and promoting a mutually beneficial relationship between agriculture, health and the environment is emerging in sustainable farming. Ntokozo Zitha, a PhD student in the Economics Analysis Unit at the Agricultural Research Council, writes.
Sustainable palm oil production in SA
Palm oil has been heavily criticised due to the unsustainable practices used in its cultivation. But this is beginning to change, says Jannie Myburgh, senior manager of trading oils procurement at SD Guthrie International SA. He spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee.
Western Cape avocado production on the rise
Avocado production is booming in the Western Cape, and new insights into the industry were shared at a recent grower day
Top Western Cape young farmer enjoys a challenge
Dean Barnard, a farmer from George in the Western Cape, was recently named the Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of the Year and will go on to represent the province at the Toyota SA/Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year competition later this year.
Guava association expects smaller 2024 harvest
The Guava Producers' Association (GPA) has adjusted its guava production estimate down from 25 200t to 22 500t, making the harvest 16% smaller than the 26 641t harvested last season and the smallest harvest in the past three years.
