out developments in the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site
22 February 2006
On 13 February a high-level exploratory meeting between the heads of
departments (HoDs) of the North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation
and Environment and the Free State Department of Environment, Economic Affairs
and Tourism took place. The HoDs reviewed progress to date regarding the
implementation of the World Heritage Committee resolutions.
Among others, they discussed management structures, a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) for Vredefort Dome and agreed on the way forward. Key in
this regard is preparing for a meeting for the respective environmental MECs in
the Free State and North West and the signing of the MoU.
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment has appointed a
Project Manager who will be responsible for overall project co-ordination, site
administration, management and infrastructural development of the Vredefort
Dome in respect of North West province.
The Project Manager will commence duties from Wednesday, 1 March 2006, at
the Dome. The immediate task will be to establish an office in the Dome and
facilitate the acceleration of the integrated management plan for the site. The
recruitment of other posts that will form part of the Project Management team
is in progress.
As part of the development to create jobs and alleviate poverty in the areas
of the Vredefort Dome the department has proposed two conservation related
projects, namely the Fire Prevention Plan as well as the Eradication of Alien
Vegetation Plan which will commence soon.
The Provincial Treasury has allocated almost R15 million over the Medium
Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) in the departmentâs operational budget. The
current allocated budget has started to bear fruit as among others critical
projects are being implemented, such as a Strategic Environment Assessment
conducted by the African Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and also a sense
of place study conducted by the University of North West.
Both of these projects are critical in developing the integrated management
plan for the Vredefort Dome as required by the World Heritage Convention (WHC)
Act.
Enquiries
Motlalepula Rosho
Head of Communication
Tel: (018) 389 5768
Cell: 082 806 7326
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, North
West Provincial Government
22 February 2006
Source: North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation and
Environment
(http://www.nwdace.gov.za)
