Page 13 - State of Biodiversity 2018/19

4.2.2. Nature reserve proclamation
EM collaborated with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) to proclaim 11 municipal nature reserves in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act No. 57 of 2003) .The formal protection afforded by the proclamation of these reserves ensures the perpetual conservation of the biodiversity and ecosystem services of these areas. The areas proclaimed had varying levels of legal protection ranging from none to zoned Public Open Space, while there are a small number of sites ‘zoned’ Environmental Conservation Reserve. In order to correctly zone all proclaimed nature reserves (and those worthy of such proclamation) both municipal- and privately owned, the EPCPD is in the process of introducing a Nature Reserve Land Use zone.The zone integrates the intentions of the Environmental Management Plan, into the land use schemes to promote more efficient management of environmentally sensitive land. It permits land uses that are to the benefit and promotion of the local biodiversity of the land.The Nature Reserve Land Use zone will take cognisance of the environmental, economic and social importance of nature reserves by making proper economic use where possible, and to promote the importance of biodiversity awareness in making the City more resilient towards the impacts of climate change. For a detailed list of eThekwini Municipality’s nature reserves and proclamation status, refer to the 2017/2018 State of Biodiversity Report.
4.2.1. Land acquisition
As part of the Land Acquisition for Environmental Protection Programme, the EPCPD has since 2002/2003 financial year acquired over 730 hectares of critical biodiversity areas in the EMA. These properties were acquired for biodiversity conservation and are in line with Programme 3 of Plan 1 of the IDP, which outlines the requirement for ensuring the long-term sustainability of Durban’s natural resource base.
In the 2018/2019 financial year, EPCPD acquired over 52 hectares of land at a value of over R4.3 million. The focus of this financial year was on expanding the existing conservation areas and improving connectedness between them. One example is the acquisition of properties behind the Westville Prison linking the Paradise Valley Nature Reserve and Roosfontein Nature Reserves. Another example is the acquisition of an additional 26 hectares of land within the Giba Gorge Nature Reserve.These newly acquired properties will be rezoned appropriately into the newly Council-adopted Nature Reserve Land Use zone.
STATE OF BIODIVERSITY REPORT 2018/2019
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