The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), in collaboration with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) will on Friday 5 December 2014 launch the People & Parks and Wildlife Economy projects worth over R256 million in Arconhoek, Bushbuckridge Municipality, Mpumalanga.
It is anticipated that more than 2,200 jobs will be created through the People & Parks and Wild Life Economy projects to be implemented in the Mpumalanga Province alone. These projects will not only provide work opportunities but will also create the necessary infrastructure in the protected areas as well as encourage greener environmental management practices. The projects will lead to, amongst other things, construction and upgrading of accommodation units for staff and visitors, administration management buildings, ablution facilities, safari tented camps and erection of perimeter fence.
The People and Parks Programme invests in infrastructure development and biodiversity conservation for economic benefits by ensuring that local communities are involved in the management of protected and surrounding areas, by promoting biodiversity values in the proclaimed protected and surrounding areas. On the other hand, the Wildlife Economy Programme fosters community participation to a sustainable beneficiation of wildlife.
These projects are implemented through the DEA’s Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme (EPIP), which funds the implementation of various projects aimed at protecting integrity of the environment in South Africa. The programme has grown from a budget of R28 million in 1999/2000 financial year to a current budget of just less than R900 million.
Over and above the Wildlife Economy and People and Parks projects that have been funded, the Mpumalanga Province has benefited with projects approved with a funding commitment over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework in almost all the EPIP focus areas. This has taken the total commitment for funding by the department in the province to the value of R345 522 890.
Members of the media are invited to attend the launch and the gala diner as per the details below:
Date: 5 December 2014
Time: 09h00
Venue: Andover Nature Reserve, Arconhoek, Mpumalanga
To RSVP, contact:
Ernest Mulibana
Tel: 021 405 9439
Cell: 082 263 7372
E-mail: EMulibana@environment.gov.za
For media queries, contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
