Page 5 - State of Biodiversity Report 2022/2023

FOREWORD
BY DEPUTY HEAD: BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT
The Rise of Biodiversity Stewardship as a Model for Inclusive Biodiversity Protection and Climate Action
There has never been a more crucial time to scale up
efforts to protect urban biodiversity than the present as
the global call to achieve a net-zero carbon world by 2050 intensifies. Cities are already grappling with consequences
of a warming world as the frequency of biophysical events such as heatwaves and floods increases. The role played
by robust ecological infrastructure in building resilience of property and infrastructure against some of these impacts
has been embraced by cities worldwide. A massive shift of
key ecosystems is expected with devastating impacts on biodiversity and protection efforts employed so far. EThekwini Municipality continues to advocate for biodiversity protection in the face increased challenges brought by climate change and an increasingly urbanising world. The annual reporting through the State of Biodiversity (SOB) Report is a valuable advocacy tool that raises awareness, educates, monitors trends and most importantly, enables various sectors to focus their efforts where intervention is most needed.
During the reporting period, we have observed the emergence Biodiversity stewardship as a front runner and viable alternative to the complex process of acquisition of conservation worthy land under private ownership. Specialist Ecologists have really gained traction working with traditional leadership to secure stewardship with communities that bring valuable traditional and local knowledge to such biodiversity management processes. The City’s climate change response also recognizes the stewardship approach as a model that will
Ms Chumisa Thengwa (Deputy Head, Biodiversity Management Department)
facilitate adaptation action through the very custodians of land that are grappling under the twin challenges of climate change and inappropriate development.
In this SOB, we proudly present achievements by various interventions and recognise stakeholders that played a role, however small. The BMD’s Biodiversity Planning function maintained the Durban Metropolitan Open Space system (D’MOSS), which is a layer showing priority natural assets within the municipal area. This was done through the inclusion of datasets from various reliable sources. Furthermore, eleven properties were acquired for environmental protection via donations, and biodiversity assessments were undertaken
on three conservation areas to strengthen the outcomes for a nature reserve status as part of the proclamation process. To date, the Municipality has conservation worthy
STATE OF BIODIVERSITY REPORT 2022/2023 3