THE Eastern Cape's Addo Elephant National Park and the Northern Province's Vhembe/Dongola National Park have increased in size, following the signing over of land from the respective provincial authorities to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEA&T).
This was announced by DEA&T Minister, Mohammed Valli Moosa, at a press conference held earlier this week.
Moosa said the incorporation of the two provincial parks - Greefswald Farm into Vhembe/Dongola and Woody Cape Nature Reserve into the Addo - would allow for "significant conservation management plans to be implemented in both parks."
According to him, the incorporation of the Greefswald Farm is significant in that it houses the world-renowned Mapungubwe and K-2 archaeological sites on an ancient Iron Age civilisation and is earmarked for upgrading to be listed as a World Heritage Site.
"The Northern Province's decision to allow the incorporation will pave the way for preparing Mapungubwe for listing by UNESCO as a World Heritage site." said Moosa.
Woody Cape Nature Reserve's schedule 1 status will bring Addo's terrestrial area to 104 000 hectares and award it highest conservation status, making it the most diverse park in South Africa.
(Adele Mackenzie)
