The nature reserve protects a good size of the Mooi River Highland Grassland, Eastern Temperate Wetlands, Highland Sourveld Grasslands and Drakensberg Wetland vegetation types. Plant species of importance which include succulent Euphorbia clavarioides and important fauna species include Oribi and Common Reedbuck.

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (No.57 of 2003) requires that Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife compile and implement Protected Area Management Plans in all of the protected areas under its jurisdiction. In preparing these plans it is important that participatory processes, involving local communities and other stakeholders are implemented in an effort to ensure that all key issues are considered and incorporated into the management plan.

This public participation report provides the background to the process followed in developing the management plan for uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve. It reflects the inputs and involvement of stakeholders in developing the plan and provides a summary of the key issues that have emerged from this process. This document will form a supporting document to the management plan, providing some of the details and context of how the plan was formulated.

1.1 The context of stakeholder consultation

In terms of Section 39(3) of the Protected Areas Act, consultation is required with municipalities, other organs of state, local communities and other affected parties, which have an interest in the area, when compiling a management plan for a protected area. Furthermore, the input and support of key stakeholders is considered vitally important in the management of protected areas and in the implementation of many of the actions set out in their management plans. For this reason a comprehensive public participation process has been undertaken in preparing the management plan for uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve.

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1.2 Approach and objectives of the consultation process

The approach to consultation in preparing the management plan for uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve has been to target communities in the area around the reserve together with municipalities, relevant government authorities and other key stakeholders. The process has been targeted at key representatives of stakeholder groups in an effort to enable meaningful input in the development of the management plan. The objectives of the public consultation process have been to:

 Ensure that the communities around the reserve are aware of its importance and the conservation imperatives that formed the basis for its proclamation.  Discuss and agree on the values of uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve in order to come to a common understanding of why it is important and should be protected.  Canvas aspirations, issues, concerns and conflicts associated with the reserve that must be resolved through the management plan.  Provide additional information that is required by individual stakeholders and to request input and pertinent information that may aid the process and the management of the reserve from stakeholders.

The list of participants who have been consulted and who have attended meetings as part of the public consultation process is attached in Appendix A and Appendix F.

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1.3 Consultation process

The public stakeholder consultation commenced in August 2012 when the stakeholder workshop was advertised in the Mercury, Isoleswe and the Witness on Thursday 02 August 2012, in the Sunday Times on the 05 August 2012 and in the August/September 2012 edition of the Mountain Echo. The stakeholder workshop took place at the Kamberg Rock Art Centre in the Kamberg Nature Reserve on 10 September 2012. Prior to the stakeholder workshop a background information document was made available to stakeholders on the Ezemvelo website and was also mailed to stakeholders.

Groups that were invited included district and local municipalities, neighbours, neighbouring communities and non-governmental conservation organisations. See Appendix F for the attendance register and Appendix E for the minutes of the meeting.

The draft protected area management plan was made available to public review for a period of one month. The draft plan was advertised in the Mercury, Isoleswe, Witness and the Ilanga on the 25th of October 2012. All stakeholders who attended the stakeholder workshop were informed either through e-mail, telephonically or through verbal messages to the various Traditional Authorities by the Community Conservation Manager and Conservation Manager.

Hard copies of the documents were made available at the Impendle Local Municipality, Umgungundlovu Municipality, Hilton Library and at various Traditional Authority offices within Impendle.

The closing date for comments was on the 26th of November 2012 and the document was available for review for a period of one month. The Park Planning Committee did not meet to develop responses to comments received and to consider them for incorporation into the draft plan because there were no substantial changes.

However the Park Planning Committee was introduced to the idea of integrating the requirements of the biodiversity stewardship unit during the draft stages of the management plan. Further review of the management plan was done via electronic mail upon integration of the expansion area as appendices.

This process and the overall process for the development of the protected area management plan are summarised in Table 1.1 below.

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Table 1.1 Summary of the protected area management plan development process

Date Activity

21 June 2012 Internal Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Site visit of uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve with the Conservation Manager, Conservation Manager South Ukhahlamba and National Department of Environmental Affairs.

10 July 2012 Internal Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife meeting with the uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve protected area planning committee. 02 August 2012

02 August 2012 Adverts for stakeholder workshop in Mercury, Isoleswe and the Witness

02 August 2012 Advert for stakeholder workshop in August/September 2012 of the Mountain Echo

05 August 2012 Advert for stakeholder workshop in Sunday Times

29 August 2012 Internal Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife meeting with various non-governmental conservation organisations.

10 September 2012 Stakeholder workshop

25 October 2012 Draft protected area management plan - invite for public comment

25 October 2012 Adverts for public review of draft management plan in Mercury, Isoleswe, Ilanga and the Witness

28 October 2012 Adverts for public review of draft management plan Sunday Times

26 November 2012 Public comment closed

27 November 2012 – 04 Consideration of public comment February 2013

07 February 2013 Submit final document to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife committees for approval

Submission of final protected area management plan and supporting documentation to MEC for approval

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2) KEY FINDINGS OF THE STAKEHOLDER CONSULTA TION PROCESS

The uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve was recently proclaimed in Government Gazette No 799 of 2012 - this is one of the factors that has delayed the declaration of uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve as a Ramsar site and is still pending. On the outskirts of the nature reserve, there have been a few incidents of poaching and with a lack of human and financial resources; it has been difficult to deter poachers. Access to the nature reserve is not formalised which inhibits staff entering and carrying out patrols. Wattled Crane conservation is a key function of the reserve and there are currently no tourism initiatives in the area. Fire and grazing management is one of the main management tools of the reserve and the fire and grazing management plans needs to be updated to incorporate the requirements of the veld condition which has shown a decrease over the years.

The table below (Table 2.1) provides a breakdown of issues raised during the stakeholder consultation process and meetings with the park management committee.

Table 2.1 Breakdown of issues that were raised during the stakeholder consultation process.

Key performance Issue that must be addressed area

Legal Compliance . Poaching of wildlife around nature reserve. and Law Enforcement . Opportunity to integrate law enforcement activities and resources with surrounding expansion areas. . Access is unreliable and not formalized.

Stakeholder . Stakeholder Relationships need to be maintained. Engagement . Liaison forum needs to be established.

. Build and maintain relationships with organizations, stakeholders and stewardship sites.

Buffer Zone . Portion of the uMgeni Vlei wetlands still remains outside of boundary. Protection and Regional . Alignment with municipal planning documents including IDPs and SDFs to Management facilitate compatible land uses around the nature reserve. . Alignment with local and regional tourism initiatives in determining access roads to the nature reserve.

Eco-cultural . Inadequate information about tourism market. Tourism Development . Communication of the values with that of surrounding communities, stakeholders and stewardship sites.

Conservation . Soil erosion relating to grazing management. Management . Removal of Alien and Invasive species.

. Role of grazing and fire in maintaining Wattled Crane populations

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. The use of grazing and fire as an ecological management tool.

. Continued functioning of wetlands for water provision.

. Management of rare and endangered species that occur within the Nature Reserve.

Research Needs . Guidance on the conservation requirements of key rare and endangered species that occur within the nature reserve. . Guidance on the use of grazing by game and livestock and managing the ecology of the nature reserve’s wetland and grasslands. . Guidance on the ecologically optimal burning patterns in undertaking fire management within the nature reserve.

. Guidance on the conservation and management of the hydrology of the wetlands within the nature reserve.

Operational . Lack of on site field rangers to permanently patrol and carry out activities in Management the nature reserve. . Lack of Financial Resources

. Inadequate directional and corporate signage.

. Lack of communication with neighbouring farmers through communication devices.

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3) COMMENTS RECEIVED DURING REVIEW OF THE D RAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Name Biodiversity stewardship Comment received Action carried out unit / WWF

1. Consistency with naming – there are a couple of It is agreed to follow the spelling as stated in the proclamation. variations on how Umgeni can be spelt but perhaps the Noted and incorporated best is to stick with the spelling in the government

gazette for UVNR’s proclamation which is “uMgeni” and not “uMngeni” as you have it on the cover of the plan. We suggest a find and replace throughout the document for this. The titles on the maps produced will also need the spelling change.

2. In the Executive Summary under the section Tourism development would not be encouraged as this would impact on “Managing the issues, challenges and opportunities’, the conservation of protected species. The feasibility study has been the key management intervention mentioned first is removed as it was agreed that the reserve would focus on the control of visitors. that a study is needed to determine the feasibility of tourism infrastructure and activities for the reserve. Is this really the most important management issue to be addressed in UVNR? We suggest this is removed and something else regarding the dire need for more staff/field rangers & law enforcement is included instead.

3. A copy of the current grazing MOU needs to be This has been taken note of and the park ecologist has been contacted to

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included in the appendices. Please source this as it is a provide the grazing MOU. very important doc. Noted and incorporated

4. The administrative structure for the Stewardship sites This has been incorporated by the stewardship unit. needs to be included and so this has been inserted (see Page 54 section 5).

5. A section on Sourveld ecology has also been inserted in This has been noted. the preceding section at the end of section 2.6.6 on Vegetation.

6. A section on Grazing is needed within Section 2 as this The park ecologist has been contacted and notified of the extent to update is an extremely important aspect of how the reserve is the section on fire and grazing management as there both are inter-related managed. Some suggested text has been inserted as and is one of the most important tools used in the nature reserve. section 2.6.9Section 6.6.5 on Grazing Management is very thin. Has a section been cut out by mistake as the last sentence looks incomplete? It says “The uMngeni……….” and then stops. We suggest that Sonya writes a summary of the key findings &management recommendations from the last Veld Condition Assessment conducted by EKZNW at the reserve in 2010, and includes this in 6.6.5. The actual objectives around allowing grazing in the reserve need to be described in more detail.

7. We will be including a summary of the Veld Condition This has been noted Assessment findings from the stewardship sites in the

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appendices.

8. A buffer zone map was included in the last version of This has been noted and corrected. the plan. Is there a reason why this was removed in the current version?

9. Regarding the zonation map – there is a small section The reserve management team requested this zone as a potential area to to the south-east of the reserve marked as Moderate introduce a field ranger’s outpost. Use, but the rest of the reserve is low use. Any idea as Page 50 to what is driving that section to be zoned Moderate use? In the text in 4.2 it says it will be used for management purposes. Please provide more detail.

10. Appendix C needs to be replaced with the recent Gov This has been noted and incorporated into the plan. Gazette proclamation (Aug 12).

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APPENDIX A LIST OF STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE PARTICPATED IN OR BEEN INVITED T O PARTICIPATE IN THE PREPARATION OF THE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR UMGENI VLEI NATURE RESERVE

NAME ORGANISATION / POSITION EMAIL ADDRESS TELEPHONE CELLPHONE Magda Goosen EKZNW [email protected] 082-8248 971 Steve Mckean EKZNW [email protected] 033-2391 512 John Crowson EKZNW SCMSU [email protected] 033-7021 205 Mica Khoza EKZNW CM UVNR [email protected] 033-2666 444 Brent Corcoran WWF [email protected] 084-5004 737 Sue Viljoen WWF [email protected] 074-1140 848 Ntombifuthi Khumalo EKZNW CCO [email protected] 079-2718 559 Tamara Hiltunen EKZNW BSP [email protected] 084-4044 683 Oscar Mthimkhulu EKZNW UDP WHS co-ord [email protected] 082-4577 174 Sonja Kruger EKZNW REWU [email protected] 033-239 1516 Andy Blackmore EKZNW [email protected] Greg Martindale EKZNW BSP [email protected] Irene Hatton EKZNW [email protected] Siphiwe Mncwango EKZW CM- Kamberg [email protected] 033-2677 312 Kim Gillings EKZN DCO Lions River [email protected] 084-5777 066 M. Madlala EKZNW- Local Board Member 076-2801 533 Rosanne Clark UDP WHS Local Board [email protected] 082 3596736 Hynock Zuma UDP WHS Local Board 072 6115 701 Napier and Verna Dibb Watersong farm 033-2666 812 Ian Robinson Ivanhoe farm 079 - 9546685

Paul & Elize Martens Wuthering Heights farm 033-2666 814 George & Justine Laurence Mt le Sueur farm 033-2666 811 033-2666 361 Vos Breet & Roda Breet White Rocks farm 033-2666 817 Russel Hobday & Jan The Spinney Farm [email protected] 033-2666 446 Mawson Andrew Poole Brooklyn farm 033-2666 816 Elsabe Zagt Merionadale farm 033-2666 401 Hentie Martens Merionadale farm 033-2666 401 Peter Anderson Snowdon farm [email protected] 082-0805 383 Kobus Krueger Lake Lyndhurst [email protected] 033 3471283 0823720977 John Cambel Ivanhoe [email protected] 082 4152708 Chris Maloney Castle Howard Farm [email protected] 033-2666 193 083 777 7251 Barry Leitch New Forest [email protected] 033-2349040 Lawrence Stuart-Hill Shear Down farm [email protected] 083 3000820 Pierre Le Seur le Sueur Farm 033 2666 632 082 8000 660 William Bryant 033 996 0710 082 566 1935 Z. S. Zuma (Induna) Impendle (Inzinga area) 072-7801 287 CAPT – Hlongwane SAPS – Impendle 033-9960 621 S.N. Mshengu SAPS- Nottingham Road 071-5283 623 H.P.Khumalo ( Induna) Impendle ( Quthsini area) 072-2720 071 B.Z. Mabizela Impendle Induna None 078 179 6055 Nkosi Molefe Isiminza Traditional Authority [email protected] 076 9229 226 Nhlanhla Ndlovu None 033 7021271 Nkosi N.F.Ndaba None 072 446 1614

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Khulekani Zulu Impendle Local Municipality [email protected] 033 9960771 082 2959259 B. Coverdale Wattled Crane Foundation [email protected] 033-2636 268 Mr J S Mennie Nottingham Road Farmers Association 033-263 6911 Penny Rees DUCT (Duzi-Umgeni Conservation Trust) [email protected] Lindy Dusi Umgeni Conservation Trust (DUCT) [email protected] 033-3441 446 Dr Mark Graham Ground Truth Environmental [email protected] 082-3777 089 Damian Walters Mondi Wetlands Project [email protected] 033 3305831 083-084 8000 Mr A Stratford Mooi River Farmers Association 033-263 1404 Mrs M Tweedale (Sec.) Kamberg Farmers Association 033-263 7421 Mr P Greene Nottingham Road Village Committee [email protected] 033-263 6141 082-556 3674 [email protected] Mr J Zondi Nottingham Road Development Committee 033-2636442 033-263 6011 (School) Sindi Luthuli Umgeni Water 033-3411 407 079-899 6880 Mrs M Thakurdin DWAF - KwaZulu-Natal Regional Office [email protected] 031-336 2750 082 808 1191 Lucia Motaung National DEA [email protected] 012-310 3911 switchboard Wilma Lutsch National DEA [email protected] 012-310 3694 Dr Geffeory Cowan National DEA [email protected] 012-310 3911 switchboard Mr F Brookes Dept. of Traditional & Local Government Affairs 033-395 2172 Ian Felton KZN DEA - Cascades [email protected] Kim van heerden KZN DEA - Cascades [email protected] Bongani Department of Forestry 082 809 6437 Bernadet AMAFA [email protected] 033 3946 543 082 3920 495 Cyndi Jonker WESSA - Berg Watch [email protected] 082 7813476 Tanya Smith EWT-African Crane Conservation Programme [email protected] 0823947476

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Vaugh Koopman Mondi Wetlands Programme [email protected] Doug Mac Farlane Working for Wetlands (Rehab consultant) [email protected] Carol M Goge Working for Wetlands KZN Manager [email protected] 072 819 4895 Peter Thomson Upper Umgeni Catchment Management Forum [email protected] 0849884011

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APPENDIX B SCANS OF THE ADVERTI SEMENTS FOR THE PUBLIC MEETING AND PUBLIC REVIEW OF THE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN

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DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN:

CALL FOR PUBLIC REVIEW UMNGENI VLEI NATURE RESERVE RAMSAR AND PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (Ezemvelo) is the appointed Management Authority for the uMngeni Vlei Nature Reserve nominee RAMSAR site. The organization is responsible for the compilation of the Protected Area Management Plan for this nature reserve in accordance with the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, No. 57 of 2003 and in accordance with the RAMSAR Convention (1971). This management plan provides an overarching framework for the management of this protected area and the vision, management objectives, strategic outcomes and management activities have been developed through a public participation process. This draft document is the result of both management and stakeholder input and has been prepared for submission to the provincial MEC and National Department of Environmental Affairs respectively. Before submission, Ezemvelo would like to invite further public review and comment on this plan, which are available at the following locations: . The Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife website at www.kznwildlife.com (Pathway is “Conservation” > “Public comment” > “uKhahlamba region” with the file name: . uMngeni Vlei Nature Reserve Draft RAMSAR and Management Plan 2012 . Printed copies for viewing of the draft uMngeni Vlei draft plan will be available at the Impendle Local Municipality, uMgungundlovu District municipality and the Hilton library.

Closing date for comments: 26 November 2012 Written comments must be submitted to: [email protected] or Shiven Rambarath Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife PO Box 13053 Cascades 3202

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APPENDIX C BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT CIRCULATED PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP

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UMNGENI VLEI NATURE RESERVE PREPARATION OF A RAMSAR AND PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN

BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT

Purpose of this document The Ramsar and protected area management plan  Inform stakeholders of the proposed Ramsar and protected area management plans protected area management plan. are intended to ensure compliance with the  Invite stakeholders to participate in the National Environmental Management: Protected process. Areas Act (No.57 of 2003) in managing protected areas and promoting the conservation of The Nature Reserve wetlands through Ramsar convention guidelines. The uMngeni Vlei Nature Reserve (UVNR) is Furthermore, they are designed to be high-level situated en route to Drakensberg approximately documents that provide a tool to assist 22 km South-West from Nottingham Road in Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in the strategic planning Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) with the Nottingham Road- and management of the protected area under its Sani Pass road (P 27) passing adjacent to the control. reserve. Key management issues The reserve falls within Impendle Local Municipality and comprises 958 hectares which A detailed review of ecological, cultural and supports a number of key habitats and social issues and management of the nature contributes to the conservation of several reserve has revealed the following: threatened or protected fauna and flora species.  There is a need to improve relationships with uMngeni Vlei Nature Reserve is situated at the stakeholders in general and improve headwaters of the uMngeni River which interaction with local and district meanders its way down to the Coast of KZN. municipalities. However the uMngeni River plays an important  Ecological challenges within the nature role in many lives along its journey to the sea, reserve that require management and hence is therefore a great deal of pressure intervention are the rare and endangered to conserve its natural value. species as well as the protection of the source of the uMngeni River. The Reserve also forms part of an Important Bird  Operational management challenges within Area with important crane species, Ground the nature reserve that require management Woodpecker and Yellow-breasted Pipit intervention include sufficient staff and populations. equipment to effectively patrol and The nature reserve protects a good size of the undertake law enforcement as well as Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland, Eastern maintenance of infrastructure. Temperate Wetlands and Drakensberg Wetland Stakeholder consultation process vegetation types and plant species of importance which include succulent Euphorbia A principle of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s in clavarioides and Highland Sourveld grasslands preparing protected area management plans is while important fauna species include Oribi and collaboration and transparency. Stakeholders Common Reedbuck. will be canvassed and their inputs will be facilitated in the development of the plan. A stakeholder workshop has been advertised and

will be held on the 10 September 2012 at the Kamberg Rock Art Centre (10:00) to discuss the vision and any management issues that needs to be addressed.

Once the draft protected area management plan has been prepared, it will be made available for public review and comment prior to its finalisation and submission to the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Board, MEC and National Minister.

If you or your organisation would like to participate in this process or would like any further information, please contact:

Shiven Rambarath [email protected] (033) 845 1464

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APPENDIX D COPIES OF STANDARD I NVITATIONS SENT TO KNOWN STAKEHOLDERS FOR THE PUBLIC STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP

APPENDIX E MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC STAKEHOLDER WORKSH OP

The meeting was held on the 10th of September 2012 at the Kamberg Rock Art Centre at Kamberg Nature Reserve which commenced at 10:00 Am.

1. WELCOME

The Chair, Mrs Magda Goosen, welcomed all those present. It was agreed that Mr Micah Khoza would act as the Zulu Translator. All Attendees introduced themselves, the organisation they represented and the reason for their interest in the uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve.

The workshop was advised that the reserve was in the process of being declared a Ramsar Site. This Ramsar section would be slotted into the Management Plan once it had been declared a Ramsar Site by the Department.

The document was still in draft form and would be discussed in full at the workshop. The sourced information obtained at the workshop would then be collated and included into the document prior to its going out for Public Review.

2. ATTENDANCE

The attendance at the workshop was as per the Attendance Register with an apology from Mr John Crowson.

3. THE PROCESS

The process involved in producing the Management Plan for signature by the MEC and the National Minister, as a RAMSAR Plan, was discussed in detail.

4. BACKGROUND

A brief summary of the location of the reserve was given. The uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve is situated at the headwaters of the uMgeni River which leads to a great deal of pressure in conserving its natural value.

The Reserve also forms part of an Important Bird Area with important crane species, Ground Woodpecker and Yellow-breasted Pipit populations.

The Reserve protects a good size of the Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland, Eastern Temperate Wetlands and Drakensberg Wetland vegetation types. It is also home to important plant species which include the succulent Euphorbia clavaroides and Highland Sourveld grasslands. Important fauna species such as the Oribi and Common Reedbuck are found in the Reserve.

This Plan incorporates the requirements of a Ramsar Plan and is seen as the Ramsar Plan for the uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve.

A Ramsar Site is a site that is viewed as an internationally important wetland site, and is recognised both nationally and internationally as an important wetland. In terms of management, the organisation needs to make sure that all the risks are identified that could

impact on that wetland so they can be addressed in order to protect the wetland for international purposes. There is a reporting process should the area be declared a Ramsar Site. Management would be required to report on the status of the wetland to ensure that the integrity of that wetland is maintained.

5. VALUES

The Management had drawn up a draft of the Reserve’s Natural Values as follows :

 Despite its relatively small size uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve has a rich biodiversity and a number of key species including threatened, protected and endemic species.

 The Reserve contributes to the conservation of the Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland, Eastern Temperate Wetlands and Drakensberg Wetlands.

 The uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve provides a natural biodiversity refuge in an extremely transformed and degraded area.

 As a component of an internationally recognised biodiversity “hotspot” and a part of the most important water source area in the province (the Drakensberg Mountain System, which includes the Impendle Plateau), the natural and cultural values include the following :

 An exceptional and diverse system of fully functional wetlands, largely in their natural state.

 The Nature Reserve and the surrounding areas are regarded as the most important breeding area of Wattled Crane in the country.

 The Nature Reserve is a protected area situated within an area that is internationally recognised as an Important Bird Area.

The value of water production was drafted as follows:

 The Nature Reserve protects the principal source of the uMgeni River, which is of major significance for downstream users, including the two largest cities in the province. The management of the Nature Reserve strives to ensure that the water resources are conserved thereby sustaining a yield of high quality water.

The discussion was then opened to the floor and the following points were raised:

 It was felt that it was extremely important to stress the value of the Oribi more.

 Water was the most important one.

 Cultural Values need to be incorporated in this new version of the MP, such as it’s sense of place and the uniqueness which was less tangible.

 The subject of reed harvesting was raised and the zonation plan does allow for controlled harvesting of reeds. There was a mechanism within EKZNW to assess requests for resources and this would have to be considered by the Management Committee of the Reserve. The assessment would be based on ecological requirements and the sensitivity of the area.

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 Bequest values being those values that need to be conserved and preserved for future generations should be considered for inclusion in the Management Plan.

 The question of the need to protect plants and animals outside the reserve was raised, but this will be discussed when the management issues are covered later in the meeting.

 It was suggested that under the heading Cultural Values that the preservation of Bushmen paintings should be reflected, should they appear in the Reserve.

 Would it be possible for the EKZNW to agree to the planting of Incema (sedge grass) in the Reserve so that it would be protected as there was no one in the community who would monitor it or protect it. The Ecologists attending the workshop felt that it was far better for the community to plant the Incema outside the Reserve. It was felt that the community needed to be informed about keeping the natural systems in the Reserve bearing in mind the sensitive nature of the area.

 It was vital to get the Novuka Vlei or wetland area under a stewardship programme then the Incema would be protected.

 It was felt that the organisation needed to look at the economic value of the water supply and storage and the services that come from that. It was thought that the water production was disproportionate to its size and therefore the value could be underestimated.

 UVNR could be used as a driver for attracting stewardship sites in the area because without UVNR there would be no stewardship in the area.

 UVNR could be a draw card for people to come to the area therefore increasing the possibility of ecotourism through the stewardship programme and this would then bring in much needed funding into the area.

 How does the size of UVNR compare to the other wetlands in the province – UVNR is one of the larger wetlands but Ntsikeni is the biggest. If UVNR is the second perhaps that information could be marketed as being on of the bigger catchment areas.

 It was thought that there should be a clause in the plan that covers the subject of when users down stream start using these services. Steve McKean said that there was no working model that was in place in the country and it was very early to start this process but it would be best to bare it in mind.

 The members of the community would like to visit the reserve as they were not aware of what it looked like etc. They were advised that this was listed under the educational aspect of the plan. Local Board Members must tell Micah when and how many of them would like to go and see the Vlei and then Micah would make the necessary arrangements to get there as permission had to be obtained from several farmers to travel through their properties to get there.

6. VISION

The new draft vision was presented :

A Ramsar site set aside for the provision of a range of benefits that include the sustained flow of the uMgeni River, conservation of the biodiversity resources and threatened wetland species and compared to the old vision that appeared in the original management plan :

A protected area which is securely protected in law, which has the support of the people of South Africa and which is set aside for the provision of a range of benefits that include the 32 UMGENI VLEI NATURE RESERVE A N D G R EATER UMGENI VLEI EX PA N S I O N AREA PROTECTED AREA MANAG EMENT PLAN – P U B L I C PA R TICIPATION REPORT

sustained flow of the uMgeni River, and conservation of the biodiversity resources of an internationally recognised “hotspot”, and threatened species such as Wattled Crane.

The discussion was then opened to the floor and the following points were raised:

 Something needs to be included in the plan that covers sites and possible sites that would/could be covered by the stewardship programme.  The wording should be changed in relation to the threatened species in the reserve as there were species that were threatened but were not only wetland species.

 Include/incorporate cultural values in the vision also.

 The sustainability of the resources needs to be addressed but not in a 70 word sentence please.

 The community asked the organisation to send someone to assess their land and see whether they have anything that needs to be protected. This item would be discussed under the management issues later in the workshop.

 The workshop was advised that the site had been valued and there were no cultural values only historical values and this needed to be captured in the plan.

7. MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND INTERVENTIONS

A draft of the Management Issues and Interventions was presented and discussed.

 An integrated law enforcement force was needed that protects not only the reserve but also the stewardship sites.

 Micah Khoza is totally understaffed and he needs Rangers and many of them to maintain the high standard he has set.

 Micah Khoza has done a wonderful job and he needs support from the organisation.

 Visibility needs to be a priority and the organisation needs to support him and his efforts to prevent and stop poaching not only in the Reserve but also the stewardship sites and the neighbouring farms.

 Micah Khoza has to have the resources so security can be maintained.

 This needs to be cross referenced to the staffing component.

 Ranger outposts need to be in place not just investigated.

 The item covering investigation of field ranger posts referred to finding suitable sites for these posts.

 Constructive engagement with the communities surrounding the reserve was considered a priority.

 DUCT needs to be included on the list of organisations EKZNW needs to interact with.

 It was essential to extend the protection to the uMgeni foot bridge near Wakefields as there was a lot of pristine vegetation that needed this protection.

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 The intention was to protect those areas and phase them into stewardship programmes at a later stage, as the forest presented a problem as the land was for sale at the moment.

 It was essential to promote compatible land uses and avoid environmentally harmful land uses. Not all properties will become part of the stewardship programme.

 Discussion revolved around thoughts that the potential for tourism was huge and this is a subject that needs to be tackled carefully because it could cause complications at a later stage.

 There needs to be press coverage so that the Ramsar accreditation is made known and it would therefore encourage an interest in the site.

 It was felt that there was a desperate need to develop controlled access and outings to prevent people just running all over the place – this could be through bird clubs, the various interest groups etc.

 Many felt that should be no press coverage unless it was controlled – if not it could cause major problems.

 EKZNW needed to communicate the values of the Plan to the communities.

 There was a need for formal agreements to be in place if limited access is agreed upon so that the places can be accessed by means of servitudes etc.

 People need to pay something to see the Reserve.

 It was felt that it needed to go further than the rare and endangered species and burning and grazing management. It was felt that the ecosystems value of the uMgeni Vlei as the source of the uMgeni River has huge implications for the various municipalities. The eThekwini Municipality seems to be quite keen on the payment of eco services. The whole question of the economics of this area and the services it provides to the country and the province needs to be considered as a priority.

 Alien plant management was raised - this is addressed further in the plan.

 Research needs to be carried out to monitor the aspect of boreholes in the Reserve – all hydrological aspects need to be researched.

 There was the potential for research to be conducted into an assessment on climate change adaptation research in this area as there appear to be various species cropping up.

 The question was asked as to why the research cannot be completed first before the Plan is finalised. It was explained in detail that this Plan was in line with the legal compliance aspect of the process. As soon as new results from research projects became available then that new information would be added to the Plan.

 uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve and uMkhomazi belong to the Lions River FPA.

 EKZNW could face a legal liability if it does not comply with the regulations regarding fire fighting and cross reference this to the staff compliment.

 There was a need to incorporate the care of Crane and Oribi in the Fire Fighting section.

 The word “maintain” needs to be removed as it creates the impression that we want to maintain some alien species.

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 There is a need to very carefully clarify the funding issue in the plan.

 There is no budget in for alien plants for the uKhahlamba Region.

 Erosion refers only to stewardship sites and not to the Reserve and there is an urgent need to include areas that are sensitive to soil erosion in an around the Reserve.

 Reword the whole section on wetland management.

 A veld assessment was done in 2010 and the findings will be included in the Plan.

 There was a need to define alien animals and domestic stock.

 The workshop was advised that a veld assessment was done every 2 years for the organisation’s reserves to assess grazing impacts.

 The stewardship veld assessments will be done every 5 years.

 A monitoring strategy plan was in place to monitor each key species. These were continuing to be developed. Cranes (all 3) had their own plan and one was being developed for Oribi and these plans then need to be implemented. Others will come on board as and when they were complete. Include the information that Atholl Marchant has on the Oribi.

 Part of the section needed to be reworded and Mr Shiven Rambarath would need to discuss this with Mr Steve McKean.

 With regards to the free movement of Oribi etc it may be necessary to take away some of the strands in the fencing, but it would be necessary to liaise with Mr Atholl Marchant in this regard.

 It may be useful to use other stakeholders with regards to the Management Effectiveness of the Reserve.

 It was essential to cross reference the staff compliment to the budget as there is a large cost involved. Mr Micah Khoza does not have any permanent staff and agreements need to be formalised with neighbours so that if there are fires – they will help - this liability needs to be included in the management plan – there is a need to cross reference this to the fire management protocol.

 Roads need to be included in the Plan and maintained.

 Mr Micah Khoza was battling to sort out the radio communication connections with the FPA, the farmers and EKZNW. The whole issue with licences etc needs to be attended to as a matter of urgency as it made the Reserve extremely vulnerable.

 It was felt that the Plan addressed the personnel – but did not stress the importance of the personnel on site.

 The question was asked “How do you protect the actual sources of the uMgeni – for example if a farmer were to sell to a person who is not conservation orientated - what would happen to this reserve?” Careful thought needs to be given to this. There is more than enough legislation protecting the sources it just has to be enforced.

The meeting closed at 13h35.

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APPENDIX F

ATTENDANCE REGISTER OF THE PUBLIC STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP

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