SANBI PLANNING FORUM

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1 SANBI PLANNING FORUM SPATIAL PLANNING IN PROTECTED AREAS AND THEIR BUFFERS (South Africa) Ms Jayshree Govender, Dr Mike Knight and Mr Russell Smart 22 June 2017

2 OUTLINE 1) Introduction 2) Protected areas (legal protection) 3) Buffer zone (no legal protection) 4) Buffer zone methodology 5) Spatial planning in protected areas and their buffers (Results and products) 6) Challenges 7) Conclusion

3 INTRODUCTION

4 Nearly 7.2 million hectares or 5.9% of South Africa s surface area is recognised as protected areas.

5 PROTECTED AREAS Definition: A protected area means any kind of protected area defined in the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (has legal protection).

6 PROTECTED AREAS: TYPE AND SUB-TYPE

7 Approximately 56% of the total area (7.2 million hectares), comprises of our 19 national parks, ranging in size from about ha (Kruger NP) to 3383 ha (Bontebok NP), with a total area (excluding marine areas) of ~ 3.8 million hectares. Kruger NP

9 BUFFER ZONE

10 WHY BUFFER ZONE AROUND A NATIONAL PARK

11 cont National parks are isolated impaired by development. This has led to the values of several of the parks being impacted negatively from activities outside the parks, e.g. loss of species and habitats, excessive disturbance in a park due to a development on its border.

12 GROWTH RATE DEVELOPMENT EXPANSION

13 cont In an attempt to integrate Parks into the greater landscape the concept of a buffer zone around national parks is used in planning.

14 Although without legal teeth, we use buffers to protect the integrity of the park, their purpose and values whilst endeavouring to encourage sustainable development around the park.

15 BUFFER ZONE SANParks Definition: Provides an additional layer of some degree of protection (or awareness about the park) to a park as well as to increase the dynamics and conservation productivity.

16 cont It acts as an insulation layer between the protect areas and the potentially negative influences outside the park, i.e.: - Protects the purpose and values of the national park, which is to be explicitly defined in the management plan submitted in terms of section 39(2) of the Act. - Protect important areas of high value for biodiversity and/or to society where these extend beyond the boundary of the protected area. - Assist adjacent and affected communities to secure appropriate and sustainable benefits from the national park and buffer zone area itself by promoting a conservation economy, ecotourism and its supporting infrastructure and services, and sustainability through properly planned harvesting.

17 cont SANParks definition of a buffer zone defers from the NEMA EIA Regulations Listing Notice 3 definition as it does not necessary extend 10 kilometres from the proclaimed boundary of a world heritage site or national park and 5 kilometres from the proclaimed boundary of a nature reserve, respectively, or that defined as such for a biosphere.

18 BUFFER ZONE METHODOLOGY A detailed assessment was undertaken, which included a combination of various layers. Some of the layers included (not limited to) the priority natural areas, viewshed, catchments, landscape, park and surrounding uniqueness, experts and users input, park expansion plans, park tourism and operational requirements, etc. with sound reason with realism. From the assessment, established three categories to comprise the buffer zone.

19 SUMMARY OF BUFFER ZONE CATEGORIES Zones Zone Description Development Guidelines Priority Natural Areas Catchment Protection Areas Viewshed Protection Areas Key areas for both pattern and process that are required for the long term persistence of biodiversity in and around the park. The zone also includes areas identified for future park expansion. These are areas important for maintaining key hydrological processes within the park. These are areas where development is likely to impact on the aesthetic quality of the visitor s experience in a park. Inappropriate development and negative land-use changes should be opposed in this area. Developments and activities should be restricted to sites that are already transformed. Only developments that contribute to ensuring conservation friendly land-use should be viewed favourably. Inappropriate development (dam construction, loss of riparian vegetation etc.) should be opposed. Control of alien vegetation & soil erosion as well as appropriate land care should be promoted. Many sites within this zone may be suitable for development but there is a need to ensure that developments do not impact excessively on the aesthetics of the park.

20 Cont Using GIS software the categories were mapped. - Priority natural areas; - Catchment protection areas; and - Viewshed protection areas. Mapping example.

Zones Priority Natural Areas Catchment Protection Areas Viewshed Protection Areas Zone Description Key areas for both pattern and process that are required for the long term persistence of

25 Zones Priority Natural Areas Catchment Protection Areas Viewshed Protection Areas Zone Description Key areas for both pattern and process that are required for the long term persistence of biodiversity in and around the park. The zone also includes areas identified for future park expansion. These are areas important for maintaining key hydrological processes within the park. These are areas where development is likely to impact on the aesthetic quality of the visitor s experience in a park. Development Guidelines Inappropriate development and negative land-use changes should be opposed in this area. Developments and activities should be restricted to sites that are already transformed. Only developments that contribute to ensuring conservation friendly land-use should be viewed favourably. Inappropriate development (dam construction, loss of riparian vegetation etc.) should be opposed. Control of alien vegetation & soil erosion as well as appropriate land care should be promoted. Many sites within this zone may be suitable for development but there is a need to ensure that developments do not impact excessively on the aesthetics of the park.

26 SPATIAL PLANNING IN PROTECTED AREAS AND THEIR BUFFERS (RESULTS AND PRODUCTS)

27 PRODUCT EXAMPLE

43 CHALLENGES Buffer zone makes one think beyond our boundaries. Emphasises the need to engage with others. No legal teeth. No collective definition of a buffer zone. Constrained in planning over other peoples lands.

44 CHALLENGES There is a need to entrench the buffer zone concept into local government SDFs and IDPs- essential. SPLUMA conflict. Also other departments such as DMR need accept as our mandate. Need engage with the departments with reference to mining issues as potentially affecting park integrity.

45 CONCLUSION Reviewing the buffer zone concept, taking into consideration contemporary scientific data and information, CBAs layers, etc. Buffer zone provides an additional layer of some degree of protection (or awareness about the park) to a park as well as to increase the dynamics and conservation productivity. Guides decision-making on how best to expand the park, taking into consideration areas of high value for biodiversity, priority natural areas, catchment protection areas, viewshed protection areas as well as the social, political and economic dynamics within the buffer zone.

46 THANK YOU Contact: SANParks: Park Planning and Development Unit Ms Jayshree Govender

The KwaZulu-Natal 2012 Critical Biodiversity Areas Map. Boyd Escott GIS Analyst (Terrestrial) Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

The KwaZulu-Natal 2012 Critical Biodiversity Areas Map Boyd Escott GIS Analyst (Terrestrial) Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife KZN Systematic Conservation Plan (i) Marine, (ii) Estuarine (iii) Freshwater, and (iv)