The Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) held a provincial World Wetlands Day at Shawela Village's JB Chauke Stadium in Giyani that falls under the Mopani District on 25 February 2010. More than 300 people attended the one-day seminar that was held on the day as part of the celebrations and listened to different speakers from the following institutions, LEDET, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Limpopo Department of Agriculture and South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).
Presentations at the seminar were on different wetland related topics such as "Indigenous knowledge on the conservation of Baleni Wetland" by Mahumani Traditional Council. LEDET Senior Manager for Biodiversity Mr D. Mabogo gave a presentation on "Conservation and wise use of wetlands in the Limpopo Province" whereas the Department of Agriculture made a presentation on how to contribute and manage wetland land care. The Department of Water Affairs raised a concern on the drying out of wetlands in their presentation while the South African National Biodiversity Institute's presentation was promoting the 2010 Ramsar Convention slogan "Caring for wetlands an answer to climate change".
The purpose of the seminar was to educate and create awareness to the community on the importance and responsibility of caring for wetlands for sustainable development of the present and future generation. After the presentations, guests made a site visit to the Baleni Wetlands which are just 7 km from JB Chauke Sports Ground with the blessings of Acting Hosi Mahumane.
The Baleni Wetlands are also a major tourist attraction in the area because there is an Ivory Route tourist camp, which acts as the reception to the wetlands. The wetlands are regarded as sacred by the surrounding communities who still observe and perform certain traditional rituals before and after interacting with the wetlands. Salt is also produced in Baleni.
The Ramsar Convention introduces a new theme every year for World Wetlands Day celebrations and the theme for this year is "Wetlands, biodiversity and climate change." The theme is derived from the fact that 2010 is United Nation's International Year of Biodiversity. It all began in 2001 when the European Union agreed that the biodiversity decline should be halted with the aim of reaching this objective by 2010.
As adopted at COP10 (2008), the climate change resolution provides brief information on the major implications of climate change for present and future wetlands ecosystem health. Therefore, the Ramsar Convention slogan for this year is "Caring for wetlands an answer to climate change".
The Ramsar Convention treaty provides a framework for national action and international co-operation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and wetland resources.
It is very important for communities to take part in wetlands celebrations as this not only emphasises the importance of sustainable development but assists in the education and creation of awareness to citizens of the big responsibility of taking care of wetlands and preserving them for future generations.
Issued by: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Limpopo Provincial Government
30 March 2010
Source: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.ledet.gov.za/)
