WITHDRAWAL OF DECLARATION OF PART OF NATIONAL PARK

(ADDO ELEPHANT AND VAALBOS NATIONAL PARKS)

Presentation to Portfolio Committee13 February 2007

In terms of Section 21(1)(a) of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 as amended which reads as follows:

“21(1) A declaration under section 20 may only be withdrawn –

(a) by a resolution of the National Assembly.”

ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK

Background:

• On 17 October 2003, Portion 1 of the farm Henderson 410, in extent 817.25 ha was proclaimed as part of the park.

• An agreement was reached between SANParks and members of Eastern Cape Commercial Agricultural Union that the northern boundary of the park would not extent northwards beyond the R400 provincial road, for ecological and logistical reasons.

• The northern section (the remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Henderson 410, in extent 706.52 ha) is to be exchanged for

private land south of the R400 provincial road.

•Portion 5 (a portion of Portion 1) of the farm Henderson 410, in extent 110.72 ha (southern portion) remain part of the park.

ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK

ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK

Approval is requested for the withdrawal of the remainder of portion 1 of the farm Henderson 410, in extent 706.52 hectares (the northern section) from the Addo Elephant National Park.

Allows SANParks to consolidate its boundary and enhance its ecological integrity.

VAALBOS NATIONAL PARK

Background

• On 19 September 1996 the following farms were declared part of the Vaalbos National Park: Portion 1 of the farm Mozib 279, in extent 2 044.72 ha, the farm Droogte Veldt 292, in extent 6 450.80 ha and portion 1 of the farm Than 280, in extent 9 626.30 ha.

• Land claim by the Sydney-on-Vaal claimants against the three properties was gazetted and validated.

• The Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs approved the claim and relocation of Vaalbos National Park to Wintershoek Safaris.

VAALBOS NATIONAL PARK

Deproclamation of Vaalbos while a new park is established

Approval is requested for the withdrawal of Portion 1 of the farm Mozib 279, in extent 2 044.72 ha, the farm Droogte Veldt 292, in extent 6 450.80 ha and Portion 1 of the farm Than 280, in extent 9 626.30 ha.

Title to be transferred to claimants

Settlement of a large land claim & the Northern Cape get another national park.