NORMS AND STANDARDS: INCLUSION OF PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE IN PROTECTED AREAS OF SOUTH AFRICA REGISTER
Title: Norms and Standards for the inclusion of Private Nature Reserve in the register of protected areas of South Africa
Government Gazette number: GN 209 in GG 40402 of 4 November 2016
Commencing date: Not yet specified
A private nature reserve is an area which is in communal ownership or privately owned by a single land owner or multiple land owners and which has been declared, or is designated as a private nature reserve in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 (NEMPA).
The Minister is required, in terms of section 10 of NEMPA, to maintain the Register that contains a list of all protected areas. The Register is the only legally recognised database on protected areas for South Africa and the inclusion of private nature reserve into this database is integral to the maintenance of the Register.
Comments on the draft norms and standards must be submitted within 30 days from publication of the notice to the addresses specified in the notice.
So what for my operation?
The purpose of these norms and standards will be, amongst other things, to provide for the recognition of the private nature reserves as bona fide protected areas in terms of NEMPA. All declared private nature reserves, including the management thereof, will have to adhere to the draft norms and standards as included in this notice.
