The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa, in collaboration with the Limpopo Tourism Agency, will on Saturday 11 April 2015, launch the People and Parks projects worth over R208 million at Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, in Tzaneen, Limpopo province. The launch forms part of the Government’s National Imbizo Focus Week, which enables Government leaders to closely interact with communities in different parts of the country.
It is anticipated that at least 2 300 jobs will be created through the People and Parks projects to be implemented in the Limpopo province alone, over a period of two years. These projects will not only create 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 of chalets, rehabilitation of old and dilapidated infrastructure with a particular emphasis to staff accommodation, overnight visitor accommodation, erection of perimeter fences, upgrading of management roads as well the development of an entirely new community owned Nature Reserve in the province.
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.
These projects are implemented through the Department of Environmental Affairs’ (DEA), Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme (EPIP), which funds the implementation of various projects aimed at protecting the integrity of the environment in South Africa.
Members of the media are invited to attend the launch as per the details below.
Date: 11 April 2015
Time: 09h00
Venue: Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, in Tzaneen - The Downs, Trichardsdal
To RSVP, contact:
Ernest Mulibana
Cell: 082 263 7372
E-mail: EMulibana@environment.gov.za
For media queries, contact:
Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483
