WATERBERG BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Southern Africa's first savannah biosphere reserve is a reality. The Waterberg Savannah Biosphere Reserve in Northern Province was awarded international status by the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in terms of its inter-disciplinary man and biosphere programme.
The reserve was established 11 years ago to maximise the Waterberg area's considerable potential for conservation, sustainable development and social upliftment. It comprises about 14 500sq km and includes private reserves Lapalala Wilderness, Touchstone Game Ranch, Kwalata and Keta as well as the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, incorporated into the SA NATIONAL PARKS earlier last year by Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Valli Moosa.
The Waterberg conservation community is actively involved in sustainable utilisation of wildlife, from eco-tourism and tourism generally through to hunting. "The area's economic base lies largely in the tourism sector and we fully expect the new status of the reserve to result in an increase in investment and work opportunities." Charles Maluleke, chairman of the Northern Province Tourism Board, sees the Waterberg Reserve becoming an "increasingly important component" of the province's overall tourism product. "The close proximity of the Waterberg region to the Gauteng metropolitan areas, the absence of malaria and solid tourism infrastructure already in place, make it an attractive destination for city dwellers."
Biosphere reserves are protected terrestrial and coastal environments of international importance in terms of both conservation and sustainable use of natural resources established within the framework of Unesco's man and biosphere programme. They are community driven with the assistance of government agencies. Additionally, biospheres reserves are internationally recognised nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the country in which they are located.
GENERAL UN INFO
Major ecosystem type: Tropical grasslands and savannas.
Major habitats & land cover types: Sweet & Sour Bushveld characterized by African Beachwood (Faurea saligna), Common Hook thorn (Acacia caffra), Red Seringa (Burkea africana, Terminalia sericea and Peltophorum africanum) etc.; steep slopes and cliffs, bare rock including the same tree species as mentioned above and with Albizia tanganyicensis and Combretum molle characteristic of the rocks; river-bank and freshwater habitats including wetlands, characterized by Mimusopz zeyheri, Clerodendium glabrum, Ficus thonningii etc.; cattle raising and game farming; irrigated tobacco cultivation; human settlements
Location 23°10' to 24°40'S; 27°30' to 28°40'E
Area (hectares
Total 414,571
Core area(s) 114,571
Buffer zone(s) 150,000
Transition area(s) when given 150,000
Altitude : (metres above sea level) +830 to +2,085
Year designated : 2001
Administrative authorities : The Waterberg Biosphere Reserve Committee The provincial Department of Land, Agriculture and Environment who coordinates the Provincial MAB Programme.
RESEARCH.
Brief description:
Monitoring of precipitation
Weather information
Research on the Laphalala and Mokolo Rivers
Annual or bi-annual grass monitoring
Bi-annual game census
Carrying capacity studies
Butterfly surveys
Bird and fish studies
Roan antelope, leopard and black rhinoceros
Stingless bees
Insect studies
Tree and plant identification
Rock art Cultural, history and archaeological studies
Socio-economic studies
Studies on the local skills, capacity and training needs in the rural communities within the biosphere reserve, where micro-enterprises need to be developed within the rural tourism industry (planned)
Sustainable utilization of natural resources monitored by the manager of the Provincial nature reserves
Biodiversity: Birds, fishes, freshwater systems, invertebrates, monitoring/methodologies, natural and other resources, plants, vegetation studies, wildlife.
Socio-economic: Archaeology, capacity building, cultural aspects, small business initiatives, social/socio-economic aspects, tourism.
Integrated monitoring: Carrying capacity, monitoring/methodologies, rural systems, sustainable development/use
The last 17 years have seen a major change, which has come about as a result of many land-use practices increasingly becoming unprofitable, especially in areas where there is a paucity of either surface or underground water. Wildlife conservation has taken the place of these early farming practices, and today vast tracts of the Waterberg mountain range and plateau have gone across to conservation in one form or another. A great deal of this is hunting, for here, farmers who have fallen on hard times in general farming have, during the dry winter months, turning to hunting, which has enabled them to hang on to their land. Others have given up, sold their properties at a good profit, and moved elsewhere, thus bringing in a new order and, with it, a new prosperity.
The Waterberg Mountains can be described as a large inverted saucer stretching from Nylstroom and Potgietersrus west as far as Thabazimbi. Within the central core is a vast basin dissected by numerous rivers, the principal being the Mokolo, which rises in the southern hills' watershed and flows in a northwesterly direction. It is here that the principal activity of tobacco farming takes place, owing to the good supply of water. The little town of Vaalwater services the needs of these activities. The outer perimeter of the mountain range is spectacular, the highest part being in the south and southwest and encompassing the Marakele National Park and the recently formed Welgevonden Game Reserve.
In 1982, two landowners in the north, the Lapalala Wilderness and the Dircksen family, formed a loose association which was called the Waterberg Nature Conservancy. By 1989, a number of farms surrounding these two areas had gone over almost exclusively to game conservation, and the stage was set for developing the Waterberg Nature Conservancy into an important association of landowners.
Today, the Conservancy has some 22 members, employs more than 900 people, and protects more than 150 000 hectares of the Waterberg habitat. This includes some 77 kilometres of the Lapalala River, on both banks. The Conservancy carries out a variety of activities that are important to the landowners, such as security, fire protection, improvement of staff housing, better wages, wildlife-related matters, alien plant eradication, representation to government, and community outreach programmes. These programmes include clinics, schools, teacher training, game farm management and tourism.
The concept of a biosphere reserve was first brought to my attention by Annemie de Klerk of the Department of Agriculture and Environment in September 1996, although I was aware of a number of reserves in South Africa that had loosely referred to themselves as biosphere reserves. What, one may ask, is a biosphere reserve. The biosphere reserve concept was first established in 1957 by UNESCO, and currently there are some 320 of these reserves around the world.
The parameters laid down for a biosphere reserve are as follows:
· There is a core or central area. This is an area within the total biosphere reserve system that has high status such as Marakele National Park. This must obviously be linked to some significant ecological factor, for example, the protection of very rare plants.
· One then has a buffer zone, and it is within this zone that general activities are practised, for example, hunting, tourism, environmental education. This implies that there is use of the land, and naturally this must be sustainable. The principal objective must still be conservation of the environment.
· The third factor is the transition zone, and it is within this area that one can accommodate the tobacco farmers and communities.
Fundamental to all three zones is a code of conduct, or a set of rules, which is laid down by the committee running the biosphere reserve. The important thing to bear in mind here is that while it may seem strange to include tobacco farmers, in all probability their farms are either adjacent to a river or they encompass part of the mountain range or possibly a wetland, and it will be incumbent upon them to ensure that the integrity of these components is maintained and that they practise farming in a responsible manner. Here I'm referring to the type of dip they may use, or whether they use DDT or some other pesticide for the tobacco, ground nuts or whatever farming activity they are involved in. The same applies to rural communities that are currently in the biosphere when it were established and their approach to the utilisation of the environment, i.e. overstocking with cattle and goats, which implies the need for an environmental education programme. Any form of further "shacking" and Land Claims are forbidden. Any Claim Lodged before the Establishment will be dealt with in an orderly manner. The Biosphere prohibit any further claims as a full history of the area has been done and therefore attracts the support of UNESCO.
As far as the Government is concerned, biosphere reserves play a facilitator and advisory role only. Ultimately, what does one achieve by the establishment of a biosphere reserve? A unified, co-operative and responsible approach to land management. In other words, instilling an ethic of caring for the earth. By virtue of the international recognition of a biosphere reserve, the value of an individual's land is considerably enhanced. Further-more, in dealing with the Government and issues that may be sensitive, a biosphere reserve will most certainly have legal thrust as a result of legislation protecting the biosphere reserve concept. One of the most important components of a biosphere reserve is research and environmental education - an activity that has been conducted for the past 13 years by the Wilderness Trust of Southern Africa, who have had no fewer than 40 000 children and teachers pass through their outdoor classrooms at Lapalala, and where numerous research programmes have been carried out.
Another very important aspect that I see in the establishment of the Waterberg There is no other area within the country with comparable attributes and potential for conservation. Most other areas have constraints in one form or another, such as pollution, forestry, over-population and, most important, size - the Waterberg is vast. It's unexplored, it's largely unknown and, in my opinion, it will be able to meet the growing needs of tourism. The Waterberg enjoys close proximity to the metropolitan area of Gauteng, has no malaria, and has an excellent infrastructure that will cater for the needs of the discerning tourist. If the project is to be attained, it will depend on numerous factors, not least the cooperation of all concerned.
UN okay for Waterberg Reserve
A big boost for local economy
Southern Africa's first savannah biosphere reserve is a reality. The years of hard work put in particularly by Lapalala's Clive Walker with able assistance from other Waterberg residents finally bore fruit last week. The Waterberg Savannah Biosphere Reserve in Northern Province was awarded international status by the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in terms of its inter-disciplinary man and biosphere programme.
Mr CliveWalker, who serves as chairman of the Waterberg Reserve committee, said the initiative to obtain international status for the reserve started more than four years ago. "What we have now is the culmination of a tremendous amount of hard work from all relevant stakeholders - conservationists, government at all levels and more than 20 local communities and tourism business in the Waterberg.
"The granting of international status is a milestone in development of the entire Waterberg region." They predict that this area will soon be: South Africa's biggest overseas currency attraction location.
Biosphere reserves are protected terrestrial and coastal environments of international importance in terms of both conservation and sustainable use of natural resources established within the framework of Unesco's man and biosphere programme. They are community driven with the assistance of government agencies. Additionally, biosphere reserves are internationally recognised, nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the country in which they are located.
The region has become one of the major conservation and tourism areas in the country and was awarded international biosphere status by UNESCO during 2001. It is the first savannah biosphere reserve to be recognised in Southern Africa. This area is a unique paradise, which boasts, "audible" silence, diverse bush and mountain scenery in unsurpassed wilderness, which will entice visitors back for more. It is one of the few remaining areas still unspoiled by pollution and over population.
The Waterberg with its many privately owned game reserves, game lodges and commercial agricultural farms, has been a well-kept secret for a long-long time and is becoming the destination of preference for local and international guests.
The Waterberg Mountain Range, so called because of the many rivers, streams and fountains flowing from it, is the collective name for the Sand River Mountains, the Hoekberg, the Swaershoek mountains and the Moepel Range.
Welgevonden Game Reserve forms part of the Waterberg Biosphere and encompasses 37 000 hectares (soon 100 000 hectares) of magnificent mountain wilderness which is also home to an amazing variety and abundance of indigenous flora and fauna (including the Big Five).
This very private, exclusive game reserve with its breathtaking views and scenery provide guests with a glimpse of how our ancestors must have felt upon discovering the Waterberg. The true beauty of Welgevonden lays in its tranquillity and diversity, its fantastic views and scenery, its game viewing opportunities as well as the exclusive, luxurious private lodges and its pure sense of wilderness.
Welgevonden Game Reserve is an easy 2½-hour drive from Johannesburg International Airport and is malaria free. With two private landing strips on the reserve and private helicopter pads at most of the lodges guests can land directly on the reserve. Transfers to and from Johannesburg International can be arranged.
Developments to follow in the near future is the establishment of a 15000 ha Golf Course Estate. This will be in the Lapalala, Kwalata and Welgevonden area. Because of the BIG 5 in the area, and because it is a Malaria free area and not to far from JHB int. Airport, and because it is a UN recognised Biosphere, this area's economical growth, has more than doubled since the Biosphere's announcement.
Investment means a good return on your money. This is the right place, time and opportunity.
END.
