Impendle Nature Reserve

Home , Impendle, Ingwe Local Municipality, Nature reserve, Umkomazi River

IMPENDLE NATURE RESERVE

Protected Area Management Plan: Public Participation Report 2012

Prepared by Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Protected Area Management Planning Unit

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION PROCESS 2 1.1 The context of stakeholder consultation 2 1.2 Approach and objectives of the consultation process 2 1.3 Consultation process 4

2) KEY FINDINGS OF THE STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION PROCESS 6

3) COMMENTS RECEIVED DURING REVIEW OF THE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN 7

REFERENCES

APPENDIX A LIST OF STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE PARTICPATED IN OR BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PREPARATION OF THE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR IMPENDLE NATURE RESERVE

APPENDIX B MINUTES OF ADDITIONAL MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS HELD ON 4TH SEPTEMBER 2012

APPENDIX C SCANS OF THE ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE PUBLIC MEETING AND PUBLIC REVIEW OF THE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN

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

APPENDIX E COPIES OF STANDARD INVITATIONS SENT TO KNOWN STAKEHOLDERS FOR THE PUBLIC STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP

APPENDIX F MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP

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1) STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION PROCESS

The Impendle Nature Reserve en route to the Southern Drakensberg is situated approximately 15 km south from the town of Impendle in KZN with the main R617 road to Underberg passing through the reserve. It falls within the Ingwe Local Municipality and the Sisonke District Municipality and Impendle Local Municipality abuts the reserve along its northern border. Despite these boundaries the reserve is closer to the Impendle Local Municipality and the access to the reserve falls within this municipal area.

The reserve comprises of 8759 hectares and supports a number of key habitats and contributes to the conservation of several threatened or protected fauna and flora species. It is recognised as an Important Bird Area with important bird populations including Blue Swallow; three crane species, Cape Parrot and Southern Ground Hornbill.

The reserve is also contributing to provincial and national targets for Eastern Mistbelt Forest and Midlands Mistbelt Grassland vegetation types. Plant species of importance include Drakensberg Cycad and Black Stinkwood and important fauna species include Oribi and Bourquin’s dwarf chameleon.

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 Impendle 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 Impendle Nature Reserve.

1.2 Approach and objectives of the consultation process

The approach to consultation in preparing the management plan for Impendle 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.

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 Discuss and agree on the values of Impendle 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.

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1.3 Consultation process

The public stakeholder consultation commenced in May 2012 when the stakeholder workshop was advertised in the Illanga, Isoleswe and the Witness on Thursday 10 May 2012 and in the Mountain Echo on Friday 18 may 2012. The stakeholder workshop took place at the Impendle Municipal Hall in the town of Impendle on 7 June 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 on request.

Groups that were invited included district and local municipalities, neighbours, neighbouring communities and non-governmental conservation organisations. Based on the outcome of the stakeholder workshop another workshop to explain the draft plan was held with the neighbouring communities. See Appendix B for the attendance register and minutes of the meeting. A separate meeting was also held with a representative from the Sisonke District Municipality on the 30th of August at the uKhahlamba Regional offices, Midmar Dam Nature Reserve. Discussions centred on the integration of biodiversity requirements into municipal planning documents.

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 llanga, Isoleswe and the Witness on 25th 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 Conservation Manager.

Hard copies of the documents were made available at the Impendle Local Municipality, Ingwe Local Municipality, Sisonke District Municipality, Bulwer library and at the following Traditional Authority offices.

Closing dates for comments was 26 November 2012 and the document was available for review for one month. Due to the fact that no substantial comments were received the Park Planning Committee did not meet but responses were prepared via e-mail.

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

Table 1.1 Summary of the protected area management plan development process

Date Activity

10 May 2012 Adverts for stakeholder workshop in Ilanga, Isoleswe and the Witness

18 May 2012 Advert for stakeholder workshop in Mountain Echo

7 June 2012 Stakeholder workshop

30 September Presentation to Sisonke District Municipality 2010

19 June 2012 Internal Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife meeting with the Impendle Nature Reserve protected area planning committee to finalise the draft management plan prior to public review

Draft protected area management plan for public comment

Public comment invited

26 November Consideration of public comment 2012

26 November Submit final document to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife committees for approval

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2012

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

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2) KEY FINDINGS OF THE STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION PROCESS

 The land claim in and around Impendle Nature Reserve is extremely complex in nature and the fact that it has not been resolved is affecting the relationship between Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the claimants. During the meeting a group of claimants walked out because they object to the non resolution of the claim. The acting Biodiversity Conservation Coordinator met with them outside and clarified that the settlement of the land claim is the responsibility of the Department of Land Affairs and that Ezemvelo can only implement the outcomes of the land claim process and as far as possible facilitate progress by inputting into the process of the Regional Lands Claim Commissioner. In order to facilitate this a delegation from the management team and Ezemvelo met with the Regional Lands Claim Commissioner (Mr Maswazi) on 11 July 2012 where we were informed that the Impendle process is now dealt with directly by the minister. This remains a challenge and needs to be resolved urgently to maintain the good relationship built up between the communities and the management team.

 The periphery of the reserve is not totally fenced and about 12 kilometers remains unfenced. A previous attempt to fence the area was unsuccessful due to raiding, damaging and stealing of the fence. It was acknowledged that this situation needs to be rectified before any consideration can be given to introduction of game into the reserve. Not only would the fencing have to be erected but there must also be evidence over time that the fence can be maintained without being seriously compromised.

 There is potential for species specific and/or other tourism development and/or activities in the Impendle Nature Reserve and there is a need to investigate this potential through a feasibility study.

 The importance of communicating an understanding of the protected area value through an environmental education and awareness programme has been highlighted. This could be done through supporting the Impendle Eco-school as well as through building capacity in the communities.

 Poaching in the reserve needs to be addressed and it was indicated that poachers were not fro the neighbouring community but further away. There is a need for interventions including environmental education and awareness as well as through increased law enforcement.

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3) COMMENTS RECEIVED DURING REVIEW OF THE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Name Comment received Action carried out Such a thorough document has so far only had a cursory reading by Thank You. me, but sufficient to enable me to say, “Well done" to the compilers. Deserving of a post-graduate degree, I reckon. I do hope something creative follows. 1. Ezemvelo should maintain overall management control to ensure The management plan’s intention is to allow the management team that the self-interests of other Stakeholders does not get out of line; to retain the overall management control necessary. The also provision of certain essential infrastructure can only be provided management plan and particularly the section on Operational by Ezemvelo, e.g. buildings and equipment; introduction of game and Management will facilitate the provision and maintenance of the overseeing of their health and safety. This entails being the providers infrastructure required for the effective management of the nature of game wardens and disciplinary action of all types relative to the reserve. It will also assist in prioritizing limited resources to the best proper running of the reserve; ensuring that bureaucratic obligations possible effect. The management of staff is dealt with under the are met and new influences and threats are met and dealt with Operational Management section of the management plan. The timeously. Other features will be identified as being Ezemvelo disciplinary procedures are part of management responsibilities and responsibilities. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s policies as listed in Appendix C of the plan makes provision for disciplinary procedures and performance Prof D Clulow management. In order to deal with an ever changing environment, new threats and pressures that may arise from time to time an annual management effectiveness assessment will be done which include the identification of new threats and pressures. An appropriate response to it will be developed through the annual management meetings, the new threats or pressures will be included into the annual plan of operation and if necessary be captured as an issue to be included in the annual and / or five year review of the plan. 2. Impendle Municipality All entrance points to the reserve as well as all tourism related Having first met with the municipal manager 15 years ago, and in developments or activities will be identified based on the tourism response to his request for suggestions, he was advised of the feasibility study. See Table 6.3, Page 45. In doing the feasibility immense potential of the Impendle Nature Reserve and its potential study relevant stakeholders including the municipalities will be tourism for bringing funds into the community, offering many consulted. opportunities for businesses - this opportunity remains largely

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untapped. Here again is an opening being created. The possibility for well-controlled tourist premises at the present gate, provided it is situated at least 300 meters before the entrance and to one side only, can be developed. 3.1 Community to Impendle side of reserve Ezemvelo embraces the concept that protected areas cannot It is vital to the success of any management plan that the community function in isolation. The process to develop management plans for become an integral part of the reserve. It must be seen to generate these protected areas are therefore consultative in nature. In the funds which are deployed for the benefit of the community. Here case of Impendle Nature Reserve a community request for an there must be an agreement which defines the benefits for AND the additional explanatory session led to an additional workshop with responsibilities of the community. Ezemvelo has the experience to the community to discuss and source input into the draft plan. deal with this aspect. Roads and fences must be the responsibility of There after the draft plan was again made available for comments the community and there must be penalties for failure to meet these by stakeholders. The management plan also makes provision for responsibilities, e.g. if Ezemvelo pays for these items, then the continual stakeholder engagement during the implementation of community receives that much less from income. Part of the income the plan. The section on Stakeholder engagement facilitates specific derived from the reserve could be set aside to pay community mechanisms such as the liaison forum that will facilitate future members who are responsible for the maintenance of roadworks and collaboration with stakeholders and communities. The question of of fences. A system of inspection by Ezemvelo would be ongoing to generation of funds will be explored through the feasibility study to establish that the tasks are being fulfilled. identify potential sustainable eco-cultural tourism products as indicated in Table 6.3, Page 45. It is also important to communicate the other important values of the protected area such as the provision of ecosystem goods and services, cultural and spiritual values and to promote an understanding of these. The park management team is currently responsible for the various maintenance projects and as projects are developed staff members can be employed from the neighboring communities either permanently, on contractual base or through an entrepreneurial venture to facilitate these projects. Once eco-cultural tourism has been established and implemented the funds will be employed to more effectively manage the reserve as well as to benefit communities as per the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife policies. 3.2 Community to Umkomaas Side of Reserve. The management of Impendle Nature Reserve is working closely This aspect requires serious attention. This community cannot be with the communities and improving relationships is a priority. allowed to sabotage for their own selfish purposes any management Together with communities and with increased and more effective

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plans which are to be implemented for the greater good. law enforcement the abovementioned compliance issues are The ongoing poaching, hunting with dogs, damage to the indigenous continually addressed. See Table 6.1 page 40 for the requirements forests, threats of personal violence to game wardens, theft of for law enforcement. The recommendation of rustic camp sites will fencing, both wire and poles, must be controlled and eliminated. By be considered as part of the tourism feasibility study. See Table 6.3, whatever means Ezemvelo determines, using police, with possibility Page 45 for requirements for eco-cultural tourism. of arrests, or of army personnel, it is critical to the management plan that this be brought under control. The eventual building of rustic campsites for visitors at this situation, spread out evenly, can place the necessary emphasis for such an achievement. 4. Public Use of the reserve All entrance points to the reserve as well as all tourism related Here lies incredible opportunity for raising funds. developments or activities will be identified based on the tourism The current entrance to the reserve is not now convenient nor the feasibility study. See Table 6.3, Page 45. most attractive, given the erection of the sheds in full view. While it should be retained as an access point to a campsite to be built for visitors, and to be located above the Seven Mile Bush (The Seven Mile Bush campsite) at a point where already certain degradation of the grassland has occurred in the past; and so will not do further harm. A new and second entrance to the western reserve from the R617 at a position which will not be dangerous for traffic, to lead to a view site camp on the hill above the valley (The Valley View Campsite). This will capture a huge market, is easily accessible and should be a priority The possibility of trails for accompanied hikes to see wildlife: as animals, wildflowers, indigenous trees, birds, all of which abound in this reserve and offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to help the public to enjoy in a controlled manner. 5. Education of Youth Currently the education center (hall at the entrance of Impendle The eastern section of the reserve need not be immediately Nature Reserve) urgently requires maintenance. This facility is used developed other than the establishment as soon as possible of an from time to time for environmental education and there is also Education Centre (advice from WESSA is highly to be recommended), currently a process to provide resource materials such as posters entrance being also of the R617. This is a fabulous opportunity to and displays in the facility for educational purposes. This existing

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bring wildlife and an appreciation for the environment to infrastructure has been identified as a capital project requiring schoolchildren and other suitable groups. major maintenance as stipulated on page 70 in the Protected Area Management Plan. There is also collaboration with WESSA in terms of the Impendle Eco School project. See also Table 6.3 Page 46 for requirements for environmental education and awareness. 6. W ildlife: Game, Birds, Grasses, Wildflowers, Trees Re-introduction of game has been dealt with in Table 6.8 page 58. The re-introduction of game will be necessary, but only once the It is acknowledged that this will improve the tourism potential of communities plus hunters with dogs from much further a field (e.g. the protected area but there is also a range of requirements that the South Coast of KZN) have been brought under control. needs to be put in place before this could even be considered. Birds, wildflowers and indigenous trees there are in profusion. CREW These include the fencing of the 12 kilometres that are currently not has long regarded this reserve a mine of wildflower opportunity and fenced and the sustained maintenance and integrity of the fence rare Asclepias discoveries have been made recently, with visitors line. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has recently developed norms and from academia taking a studied interest. The cutting and baling of standards for resource utilization policy and the management of indigenous grasses for the local community will have to receive Impendle Nature Reserve will implement this. Any resource use attention and this has to be handled with great care. The only danger that is requested will be assessed by the management committee as I see it is that the valuable red grasses which are found quite rarely and approve/ not approved based on this policy. The process also nowadays, must be allowed to seed and thus not be eliminated as makes provision for monitoring and reporting on any resource elsewhere in the KZN Midlands. The community will be much more utilization taking place in the reserve. See Table 6.6 Page 53 for the sympathetic to the reserve being out of bounds for local cattle and specific requirement for resource utilization. horses and other stock if they continue to receive hay from the grasslands of the reserve, but this has to done with caution and care. 7. Researchers Research station A research station near the current sheds or at the present entrance to the reserve would be a wonderful innovation. Facilities to This suggestion will be investigated with the assistance of possible encourage research could make this a widely-known and often- stakeholder partners as there are not currently funding to develop visited area by local and overseas researchers. The use of currently such a centre. unused facilities at the present entrance could be considered for this purpose.

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REFERENCES Impendle Nature Reserve: Management Plan. Version 1.0 (2012), Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Pietermaritzburg.

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APPENDIX A LIST OF STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE PARTICPATED IN OR BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PREPARATION OF THE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR IMPENDLE NATURE RESERVE

NAME ORGANISATION / POSITION EMAIL ADDRESS TELEPHONE CELLPHONE Chief Zuma Kwa-Nxamalala tribal authority 0726115701 Chief Hlongana eMangwanini tribal authority 0827309349 Deputy Chief Phewa eMaqadini tribal authority 0766662975 Mr. Zuka Madlala Impendle Labour tanants 0827929824 Mr. Muntu Madlala Impendle Claimants 0833738708 Mr. Buhlungu/Mr. Zuma Impendle Commercial farms 0829394982 (Mr.Zuma) Mr. Zuma Impendle State farms 0829394982 Mr Lucky Sonde Sisonke District Municipality +27 (0)39 834 8600/ 8700 Glynn Bullock Impendle Eco-school [email protected] [email protected] Underberg Farmers Association [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] WESSA [email protected] WESSA [email protected] [email protected]

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NAME ORGANISATION / POSITION EMAIL ADDRESS TELEPHONE CELLPHONE Rosanne Clark WESSA Advocate Mcintosh Gliding fraternity [email protected] Department of Works [email protected] SAPPI [email protected] SAPPI [email protected] Rory and Sue Brighton Tourism venture [email protected]

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APPENDIX B MINUTES OF ADDITIONAL MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS ON 4 SEPTEMBER 2012

NOTES FROM THE MEETING HELD AT THE IMPENDLE NATURE RESERVE TO DISCUSS THE MANAGEMENT PLAN WITH THE COMMUNITY AT A SPECIAL STAKEHOLDER MEETING ON TUESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2012 AT 10H00

PRESENT : As per attendance register

1. There would be a draft document for them to take back to those they represent. They would then have till the end of October 2012 to come back with their comments as the document would go out for public comment towards the end of September 2012. There would then be a 30 day period for comments to be sent back to the organisation for incorporation into the final document.

2. The community was not happy with their land claim and we, as an organization, need to follow this process. Dennis Mkhabela advised that EKZNW is the driver of the process but was not responsible for this part of the process, as the organisations’ main concern was Biodiversity. The Department is responsible for driving the whole process and they are the ones who should be approached with regards to the claims the communities may have with their land and its suitability.

3. The Protected Area Management process was an obligation by law to manage the protected area and to abide by the laws that exist.

4. Management Plan of these Protected Areas was part of that process.

5. The community made the request that when they left their areas they left their ancestors graves and they asked the organization to ensure that the graves were not damaged and that they are respected and that the community is allowed to visit those graves from time to time.

6. When Gxashi came last year – there was a fence – now the fence is gone – if we had a budget we could get a new fence but what would happen to a new fence? The community indicated that they would assist in making sure that the fence is not vandalised again.

7. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife needs to urgently workshop the community to educate them on the work it does and that it is here to look after the environment and not disrupt the community. There must be an awareness to advise them of this.

8. The community felt that the organization needed to advise them on what its plans were and why and that perhaps locals could be employed to keep the fence in a good state.

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9. The community wanted to thank Gxashi for everything he has done. They wanted the organization to know that he was making the community a part of what happens in the reserve and they need to spread the understanding of what the organization is doing. The reserve is there to help the community and more people need to understand that.

10. It is important that people are educated on the importance of the reserve but it needs to be completely fenced off. The community understands that the reserve is an asset but that the fence needs to be in place so that they can see where it is and that people from the community can enjoy some employment opportunities that may exist, as they wanted to become part of the force that ensures that the fence does not get stolen or damaged.

11. Regular meetings need to be held to then create opportunities for the community to become involved in such as the alien plant programme and others that may arise from time to time.

12. The community wanted to know if they could deal with Bush Pigs with their own unique expertise, they were advised however that they would have to work with the DCO’s and get a permit.

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APPENDIX C SCANS OF ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE PUBLIC MEETING AND PUBLIC REVIEW OF THE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN

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

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APPENDIX E COPIES OF STANDARD INVITATIONS SENT TO KNOWN STAKEHOLDERS FOR THE PUBLIC STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP

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APPENDIX F MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP

STAKEHOLDERS WORKSHOP AT IMPENDLE MUNICIPAL HALL ON 7 JUNE 2012 AT 10H00 TO DISCUSS THE IMPENDLE NATURE RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN

1. OPENING AND WELCOME

The meeting was opened by the Chairman Mr Dennis Mkhabela. He informed those present that they would be taken through the whole process of writing the Management Plan for the Impendle Nature Reserve by Mrs Magda Goosen. The proceedings were translated by Ms Khumbu.

2. ATTENDANCE

As per the attached Attendance Register.

3. THE PROCESS

The whole process of producing the management plan was explained.

4. VALUES OF THE PROTECTED AREA : GROUP DISCUSSION

It was explained that the values of a place are those remarkable attributes that exemplify it and are largely the reason that it has been proclaimed as a protected area. The values are important in planning and management, as they are the aspects of the place that must be protected.

The Impendle Nature Reserve comprises 8759 hectares and supports a number of key habitats and contributes to the conservation of several threatened or protected fauna and flora species.

The reserve is an Important Bird Area (Blue Swallow, various Crane species, Cape Parrot and Southern Ground Hornbill populations). The reserve protects a good size of the Eastern Mistbelt Forest and Midlands Mistbelt Grassland vegetation types and plant species of importance which include the Drakensberg Cycad and Black Stinkwood, while important fauna species include Oribi.

The discussion was then opened to the floor.

The question of land tenure was raised and when it was explained that the purpose of this meeting was to obtain input for the Management Plan for Impendle. The reason for the current meeting was explained and dissatisfaction was expressed at this information. Those present were advised that this meeting was not the forum for this discussion. The Department of Land Affairs had been invited to attend the meeting but had not replied to the invitation and had not arrived at the meeting. Our role with regards to this issue would be to facilitate in whatever way possible to make the Department aware of the issues that they needed answers to.

A few of those present felt they needed special recognition as they were residents within the reserve and should not be classified as neighbours.

The Acting Biodiversity Conservation Co-Ordinator said that we should note the issue of land tenure and meet at a later date to discuss it. He then took over the discussion in Zulu to facilitate progress of the meeting and clarification of this issue.

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The people indicated that they were aggrieved when the land was proclaimed and that their needs were not met.

The community felt that if the meeting went ahead that it would lead to more problems regarding their gaining ownership of the land.

They want Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to set up a special platform to address the issues regarding land tenure at a later date. This would be facilitated by the Management Team.

Bhekatini Memela indicated that these were social issues and they were very important to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

The community wants Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to state that they are committed to attending to these issues.

The people felt that they were living in poverty because they were moved off their land when it was proclaimed a reserve.

The following attendees left the meeting to caucus outside and did not return to the meeting : Mr Zuka Madlala, Chairperson of the Farm Tennants Mr Jetro Ngcobo Mr Sanele Ngcobo Ms Mbali Mthembu, member of Impendle Conservation Liaison Forum Ms Zonke Sibiya Mrs Sizani Mchunu and Ms Nini Mchunu

The Acting Biodiversity Conservation Co-Ordinator facilitated a short meeting with them outside to pave a way forward on the issue. This is a parallel process to the Management Plan development and will be facilitated by the Management Team and Community Conservation

After the abovementioned party left the venue, the following points were raised by the remaining Stakeholders as values needing to be preserved in the Management Plan:

 Preserve the natural bush  Breeding site for Blue Swallows  Preserve the grassland as it is of critical importance  Biodiversity and preservation of the veld flowers  Resource harvesting – wildebeest skin made available to the community when we slaughter an animal to make traditional items  Job opportunities  Peace and tranquility  Protect the waterfall, the location of which still has to be established

The following values had been recognised by the organization as values that needed to be preserved:

NATURAL

 Unique natural beauty  Habitats for threatened or protected species (Black Stinkwood, Red Hot Pokers, Blue Swallows, various Crane species, Cape Parrot, Oribi etc)  Contributes to representative portions of threatened vegetation types including Eastern Mistbelt Forest, Moor River Highland Grassland, Southern KwaZulu Natal Moist Grassland and Midlands Mistbelt Grasslands  Rich biodiversity  Component of number of threatened discontinuous indigenous forests in Southern KwaZulu Natal

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 Provides a core area for protected area expansion or stewardship agreements with surrounding priority areas eg for consolidation of Blue Swallow habitats and breeding sites  IBA contributing to the conservation of various species

NATURAL (ECOSYSTEM SERVICES)

 Protection of the hydrological system including a series of wetlands which form part of the catchment of the uMkomazi River  Soil stability, ground water recharge, water supply regulation and storage linked to the uMkomzai River  Climate change mitigation  Other (Provisioning, Regulating and Supporting)

CULTURAL

 Grave site in the protected area – undocumented

SOCIAL

 Provides employment in an area of rural impoverishment  Opportunity for controlled resource harvesting  Important potential for species interest tourism and potential to provide an environmental education destination

5. VISION : GROUP DISCUSSION

The vision describes the overall long-term goal for the operation, protection and development of the Impendle Nature Reserve which then equals the desired state. The following principles were listed, as seen by the Management Team:

 An adequately resourced nature reserve  Effectively managed  Sustainable protection of ecological integrity and important biodiversity  Provides sustainable flow of eco-system services  Supported by the community  Provides opportunity for environmental education  Contributes to local economic growth

The discussion was then thrown over to the floor and the following were to be added to the above list, where possible:

 The community would like a lodge in the reserve so that they could benefit from tourists using the facility  Mondi and local farmers are wanting to be part of the whole management of the area and become part of the stewardship programme, where possible  Tilletudlem and corridor could become part of the whole stewardship programme – the corridor being state owned land.

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6. MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS : GROUP DISCUSSION

It was explained to the Workshop that various items had been identified as pressures and threats:

PRESSURES

 Arson Fires  Alien Plants  Poaching  Land invasion and disturbance (unlawful occupation of land/illegal grazing

THREATS

 Climate Change  Poaching  Alien Plants  Exotic Diseases

The Objectives, management issues and strategic outcomes as seen by the organisation were:

 Legal Compliance and Law Enforcement Comply with and enforce legislation and policies pertaining to the protection, development and management of the protected area Issues to be addressed - Unresolved land claim - Thoroughfare of the Protected Area by the public to be formalised - Poaching of animals, birds and wood - Compromising of fence line - Arson fire - Livestock in the nature reserve

Strategic Outcomes - Demarcation of reserve boundaries and formal agreements of access with neighbouring communities - Implementation of outcome of land claim settlement and related agreement, once claim is settled - Ensure that there is adequate law enforcement in Impendle Nature Reserve to protect the reserve’s integrity

 Stakeholder Engagement Establish good neighbour relationships through collaboration and open communication channels Issues to be addressed - Community relationships need to be improved - Lack of formalized strategic partnerships to achieve the reserve objectives

Strategic Outcomes - Establish and maintain a liaison forum for Impendle Nature Reserve to facilitate constructive community involvement - Investigate and effectively communicate the value of Impendle Nature Reserve’s ecosystem goods and services to the relevant stakeholders - Investigate the development of strategic partnerships which could assist with the achievement of the reserve objectives.

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 Buffer Zone Protection and Regional Management Protect the biodiversity of Impendle Nature Reserve from activities, processes and land uses outside its boundaries that may threaten it Issues to be addressed - Liaison and interaction with the municipalities (Local and District) must be improved - Municipal planning documents should buffer requirements - Access road to the Protected Area (ownership, responsibility, maintenance budget, current condition, especially should any tourism activities be developed) - Blue Swallow habitat and breeding sites outside of Protected Area

Strategic Outcomes - Sustainable access to Impendle Nature Reserve in order to provide safe access to tourists - Determination of the buffer zone requirements around the nature reserve - Incorporation of the Impendle Nature Reserve buffer requirements in Municipal and Regional planning documents - Prioritisation of Blue Swallow habitat and breeding sites in the Protected Area Expansion Plan/Stewardship process

 Eco-Cultural Tourism Promote opportunities for eco-cultural tourism and environmental awareness Issues to be addressed - Lack of tourism facilities and/or products - Ad hoc environmental education - Cultural heritage (grave sites) have been identified but additional information was required

Strategic Outcomes - Determine a market profile for Impendle Nature Reserve through a feasibility study to identify tourism opportunities - Preparation and implementation of a Concept Development Plan outlining the tourism products and facilities that will be developed for the nature reserve - Corporate signage should support access to the reserve and any tourism/education activities that are developed - Investigate the opportunity to expand the nature reserve’s use for environmental education (with partners) - Develop sufficient knowledge on which to base management decisions and management activities around the cultural heritage in the reserve

 Conservation Management Protect the ecosystem functioning, ecological integrity and biodiversity through adaptive management Issues to be addressed - Wildlife introduction programme - Black Wildebeest’s genetic integrity needs clarification - Lack of viable Oribi population - Management of threatened species - Problem animals on Hazeldene section (i.e. Bushpig) - Alien Plant invasions - Soil erosion - Controlled and sustainable resource use - Legal compliance i.e. fire management

Strategic Outcomes

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- Develop a strategy for the introduction and management of wildlife in Impendle Nature Reserve - Implement Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife policy on damage causing animals - Develop and implement strategies for the management of threatened and protected fauna and flora species - Develop an invasive plant control plan - Reduction of levels of infestation of alien plant control and maintenance of cleared areas - Implement procedures to identify and rehabilitate areas that have been impacted by human caused erosion - Ensure that resource harvesting takes place in a sustainable way in compliance with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife policy - Develop a fire management plan for Impendle Nature Reserve - Ensure that critical ecosystem processes and functions are maintained - Establish process to determine the effectiveness of management interventions in Impendle Nature Reserve (monitoring and reporting)

 Operational Management Provide adequate human resources, equipment and funding to enable effective management of Impendle Nature Reserve. Issues to be addressed - Lack of sufficient financial resources - Lack of human resources - State of infrastructure (staff housing, roads and fences) - The reserve is not completely fenced

Strategic Outcomes - Develop a five year financial plan to address the resource requirements needed to achieve the nature reserve’s objectives - Development of annual plans to set targets for operations with detailed budget requirements - Ensure adequate staff to effectively manage Impendle Nature Reserve - Ensure that all facilities, infrastructure and equipment are available and maintained to ensure effective management of the reserve - Implementation of service infrastructure, especially waste management that will not be harmful to the environment - Implement a programme to secure the boundary of the reserve with an appropriate fence

The following topics were raised when the discussion went to the floor :

 It was felt that a rationalised education programme was needed for the community so that they have a full understanding of the value of the reserve and what we were trying to protect. This needed to be basic but well thought out so that the community would know exactly what the Ezemvelo staff were doing and what their work is about  We, as an organization, need the communities immediately surrounding the reserve to be involved and in this way prevent communities far away from the reserve coming in to the reserve to hunt with packs of dogs and take what was not theirs to take  Educational tours were needed to give the community a more hands on and practical approach  Teaching the value of tourism and the wealth creating opportunities to the community were considered of paramount importance. The community needed to understand the importance of creating a welcome space that will encourage tourists into the area  The reserves in the area need to be marketed as a whole  Road maintenance would definitely need to be looked at as a priority and both the community and the reserve would benefit from this

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 An employment programme needs to be in place that encourages youngsters from the area into the reserve. Use local people in alien control. Look at the local communities for the staffing needs  Problem animals and their control needs to be addressed with the relevant interventions in place  Communication with the community needs to be formalized and a forum needs to be created which defines each of the communities roles and takes into account their specific needs and their issues  Commitment from some community members to work better with the organization once more education was provided to them  A feasibility study would need to be done to see what was sustainable with regards to supporting a more sustainable tourist industry in the area  It was thought that a Hiking route through the area (as in Matatiele) showing the various features in the area with rural bed and breakfasts producing local food would encourage the community to get involved and would provide tourists with an insight on how the locals really live  Eco Cultural tourism was a big buzz word and a strong marketing programme needed to be in place to market the area as a whole – not just Impendle Nature Reserve  It was of paramount importance to address the accommodation issue before we do the above  There was a need to focus on the communities who are outside the neighbouring communities who may be involved in poaching and the use of hunting dogs  The community members present were starting to buy into the having tourists in their home following on from an idea that had been suggested earlier in the workshop  Fire management was discussed and the membership to a Fire Protection Association based at Impendle was raised as Impendle was subject to arson attacks  Mr Mbuyiselo Gxashi, of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, was working in collaboration with the communities and Municipalities to get the Fire Association off the ground  A certain amount of environmental education was required here to educate the communities in the thinking behind membership of this association  Looking at the possibility of introducing new species into the area to raise the tourism aspect in the area but feasibility studies would have to be done first  Establish a nursery for medicinal plants in the area – further encouraging tourists into the area  Land Affairs needs to be involved in the education process as the group that left the meeting have major issues with Land Affairs  The community felt that it is essential to fence off the reserve as it demarcates the boundary and prevents trespassing. It was felt that once the reserve was fenced off that it would make law enforcement of the protected area a lot easier

THE WAY FORWARD

 All input from the workshop would be taken back and a draft management plan will be developed. This would then be made available to all those present and the draft plan will be advertised again for perusal.  There would be a 30 day period to consider the plan.  Any comments on the plan would have to be in writing.  This would be the last opportunity to comment.  The suggestion was made to workshop the draft with communities to facilitate understanding and input in the draft plan. It was agreed that the workshop would be facilitated by the reserve management team once the draft is available.

Meeting formally closed at 13h15

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