Taking off: SANPark's new strategy, Vision 2040, aims to reduce economic inequality through conservation. (Photo by: Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
South African National Parks (SANParks) is moving from a position of fortress protection, where national parks are “islands of privilege, often in a sea of poverty'', to a position where protection is inclusive and a catalyst for improved livelihoods.
“We are intentionally becoming more inclusive, but it is not easy to do so. Easier said than done,” said CEO Hapiloe Sello in the recently released SAN Parks Vision 2040. , which is much more difficult to implement.”
Vision 2040 took 18 months to develop and included consultation with park neighbors, traditional leaders and healers, young people, conservationists, tourism and other businesses, and heritage and marine experts. It was done.
This strategy rethinks the role of conservation as a catalyst for relief, economic development and job creation, as well as the institutional suitability of SANParks.
“This conservation model promotes social justice and inclusion by ensuring that all communities, especially disadvantaged and marginalized people, have fair and equitable access to opportunities and resources,” and all of South Africans have a “stake in conservation”, SAN Parks said.
Theroux said Vision 2040 is “the culmination of dialogue and consultation with more than 1,600 people from across the country.” People from all walks of life. So this is not a vision created by SANParks on its own in the boardroom. It's truly a collaborative vision. ”
7 scenarios
Seven scenarios were created for different future situations.
Scenario 1 was the worst-case scenario, with SANParks collapsing by 2040 due to lack of funding and corruption at all levels.
“Most parks are neglected, leading to large-scale poaching and development, causing significant biodiversity and heritage loss. SANParks' activities only benefit selected areas and individuals. A key factor is the lack of political will and support for conservation.
“As this story unfolds, we will see a decline in conservation progress, biodiversity loss, staff departures, inefficiencies and reduced public support. This scenario will have negative impacts on people and nature. therefore, it is not viable,” SANParks said.
Scenario 2 focused on maintaining the status quo and was characterized by a lack of agility and planning. “Climate change means more droughts and more pressure on water resources.
“While other conservation organizations are fighting poaching and using new technology to manage their parks, SANParks is not, and as a result poaching is on the rise. They are discouraged because they have better technology than they do, and SANParks is not able to respond to the changing needs of tourists, leading to a decline in tourism and revenue.”
In this scenario, invasive species spread, ecosystems are destroyed, and nearby communities are not benefited. This scenario is driven by resistance to change and lack of innovative financing strategies.
SANParks said: “Signs that we are heading down this path include stagnant performance, unmotivated staff, and deteriorating tourism services. This scenario is detrimental to the organization, with conservation efforts slowing. and is in decline, so it is not viable.”
Scenario 6 centers around a “pay it and keep it” approach. By 2040, SANParks will prioritize profits over conservation and ignore their obligations to local communities and conservation. “The focus on profits will lead to the dominance of private parks managed by powerful groups, and the sidelining of smaller organizations.”
The preferred scenario, Scenario 7, is that by 2040, all South Africans will live in harmony with nature and “our country will become a model for other countries to follow.” It builds unity within and within communities and builds strong partnerships that extend far beyond the national park grounds.
“Nature, heritage and conservation are important to all South Africans and connect healthy people with a rich natural environment. , uniting communities even in areas where there is no legal or formal protection covering heritage sites.”
At its heart is the development of mega-living landscapes, vast interconnected areas that “aim to break down the myth that conservation is only a playground for scientists and environmentalists,” SAN said. Parks said. Protected areas are no longer islands.
“This approach will promote coexistence, inclusiveness and sustainable development and ensure that most South Africans can participate in conservation efforts.”
strengthen connections
Traditional healer Amanda Kavashe praised the “groundbreaking” process behind the strategy. She said SANParks was intentional and purposeful in its “inclusivity to make sure we open the door to people who don't normally have access to policy discussions.”
“For the first time, someone went out of their way to ask, what do you think? Where do you think we should go?”
SANParks Board Chair Pam Yaco said: “We interact with nature and conservation in a variety of ways. There are also many other ways in which conservationists, including SANParks staff, park neighbors, private reserves, and even the communities surrounding the parks, are actively involved in conservation. I'm participating in it.
“But some people just want to come to the park to relax and take a break, and some people need to come to the park for a spiritual connection.”
According to Yaco, Vision 2040 was born out of a “deliberate effort to bring all of us, who are diverse and have different interests, toward a common vision. Dare I say it, it's a little ambitious, but it's… It's achievable.”
Narend Singh, deputy minister in the Ministry of Forests, Fisheries and Environment, praised the “very comprehensive exercise” and said other government departments and state-owned bodies should “use the SANParks book to emulate this kind of comprehensive discussion.” I hope that you will use it as a reference.” .
Vision 2040 is not just about strengthening the country's conservation efforts, which “we have to do,” Singh said. “It’s also about how we can leverage the unique and huge diversity of this beautiful country to meaningfully contribute to improving people’s lives and create social cohesion… It’s about economic growth. It's also about reorienting society in a way that promotes sharing and job creation.''A stronger embrace of nature. ”
He said Vision 2040 is part of South Africa's contribution to elements of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which expands conservation areas to ensure 30% of land and 30% of ocean are protected by 2030. said.
SANParks said it would incorporate Vision 2040 into its plans and as part of its performance reporting.