Page 43 - UGU Dstrct Mun IDP Report '21-22

Protected area expansion planning has been undertaken at both a National and Regional level to help direct conservation programs (Figure 3.2.2.1). Unfortunately, these plans have led to little formal action on the ground apart from the conceptual development of a Big 5 Reserve associated with the Mzimkhulu priority area identified in the national plan. Priority areas are also quite different with little alignment between the existing plans. It is hoped that the outcomes of the BSP will help to provide further focus for future conservation efforts.
Table 3.2.2.1: Formal Protected Areas within Ugu District
Site
Date Proclaimed
Extent (Ha)
Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve
1950
1745.7
Skyline Nature Reserve
1986
17.1
Mbumbazi Nature Reserve
1986
2022.9
Mehlomnyama Nature Reserve
(Managed by DWA)
1908
160.6
Umtamvuna Nature Reserve
1971
2653.0
Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve
1973
2188.9
Mpenjati Nature Reserve
1985
94.9
Total
8883.1 (1.76%)
Marine Protected Areas
Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area
2004
12461.5
Trafalgar Marine Reserve
1979
552
3.2.3 Management Effectiveness and Pressures Facing Protected Areas
An assessment of the management effectiveness of protected areas managed by EKZNW was undertaken in 2010. This assessment was based largely on the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) developed by WWF and the World Bank (WB) in 2007. The results of the assessment are summarised in Table 3.2.2.2, below. This clearly shows that all the sites assessed fell short of the 77% minimum standard which was set by the Management Effectiveness Task Team with sites ranging in scores from 53% to 64%. This suggests that further efforts are required to improve management of existing protected areas and so ensure that the few biodiversity assets within such areas receive the protection required. The level of pressure facing different protected areas is also worth noting (see Table 3.2.1.3.2). Of relevance, is the very high pressure associated with Umtamvuna Nature Reserve which ranked highest in the Province. This suggests that special attention needs to be given to this area to ensure that these pressures are appropriately mitigated and managed.
Table 3.2.3.2: Summary results of the METT assessment
Site
Extent
Effectiveness
Pressure
Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve
1745.7 ha
60 %
Medium
Skyline Nature Reserve
17.1 ha
63 %
Medium
Mbumbazi Nature Reserve
2022.9 ha
53 %
Medium
Mehlomnyama Nature Reserve (Managed by DWA)
160.6 ha
No Data
No Data
Umtamvuna Nature Reserve
2653.0 ha
60 %
Very High
Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve
2188.9 ha
59 %
Low
Mpenjati Nature Reserve
94.9 ha
64 %
High
Source: Draft EMF, 2013
IDP REVIEW 41