DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND TOURISM STATE OF WETLANDS IN THE LIMPOPO PROVINCE Directorate: Biodiversity Management C/o Suid & Voortrekker Street, POLOKWANE, 0700, Private Bag X9484, POLOKWANE, 0700 Tel: (015) 293 8300, Fax: (015) 295 4120 Website: http/www.limpopo.gov.za 1. Introduction Ramsar Convention on wetlands conservation and wise use was adopted in Ramsar city, Iran in 1971 as contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world. Ramsar Convention also works hand in hand with other convention such as Convention on biological diversity and other related organizations. As contracting party (country member) of Ramsar convention South Africa had designated about 12 wetlands as Ramsar site or site of international importance. Nysvley Nature Reserve and Makuleke floodplain are the two Ramsar sites in the Limpopo Province. According to Ramsar Convention wetlands are area of marshes, fen, peatland, wet grassland, lakes, estuaries, mangroves and coral reefs, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres. Wetlands have different names following the four dominant languages in the Limpopo province, nhlangasi (in Tsonga), Mohlaka or Monyuka (in Pedi) Maroroma or Matzhava (in Venda) and Vlei (in Afrikaans) Conservation, wise use and management of wetlands requires partnership of relevant government departments (e.g. Agriculture, Water Affairs and Forestry, Environmental Affairs and Tourism), local authorities (Municipalities and traditional), Non-governmental organizations (e.g. Working for Wetland, Mondi wetlands project) and other relevant research institutions. As a results wetland stakeholders in the Limpopo Province network and interact through the Limpopo wetlands Forum which is informally coordinated and chaired by SANBI (Working for Wetland) World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2nd of February throughout South Africa and international community. Each and every district in the Limpopo Province celebrated this day in a unique approach in such way that even the MEC become the part of celebration. World Wetlands Celebrations are aimed at promoting conservation and wise use of local wetlands through communication, education and public awareness and this substantiate Ramsar Resolution VIII 31 “Convention’s Programme on Communication, education and public awareness (CEPA). 2. Values of wetlands in the Limpopo Province Most of the local communities in the Limpopo province are directly sustained by wetlands resources to meet their daily socio-economic needs. Here under followed the socio-economic services of wetlands earned by the local communities in the Limpopo Province: Most wetlands in the Limpopo Province serve as the source of clean drinking water. In addition, wetlands plants and soils play a major role in purifying water from agricultural run-off nutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphoru) and toxic substances such as pesticide residue, industrial effluent and seepage from mining activities Noting that some part of Limpopo province are flood zones, presence of wetlands plays a crucial role in flood control. However, loss of floodplains due to agriculture and human habitation has lessen this capacity Although largely an unexplored, poorly documented subject some wetlands in the Limpopo Province have historical, archeological, cultural and spiritual significance locally. Lake Fundudzi in the Tshiavha village is serves as the place for cultural and spiritual activities more especially for Tshiavha clan who believed that spirits of their ancestors inhabit the depth of the lake. And the same applies to Mutlapodi wetland in Ga-Madisha village which is the place of worship for the Madisha clan The natural beauty of wetlands such Nylsvley Nature Reserve and others in the Limpopo Province attract the tourist locally and abroad and as a result the local economy is uplifted. In addition, some wetlands are informally centers of recreation for families and friends during major holidays and weekends. Majority of local farmers in the Limpopo depends on wetlands for crop cultivation and livestock grazing. Some of the wetlands are also serves as the source of proteins to local rural communities for example fishing Most of women in the rural areas of Limpopo use raw materials harvested from wetlands for making handcraft such as mat, bags and traditional hut roofing 3. Threats to Limpopo Wetlands Ecological state and productivity of wetlands in the Limpopo is threatened by the following human induced activities Draining and water abstraction from wetlands for cultivation and others purposes are seen as the major problems that threaten the existence of wetlands in most rural areas of Limpopo province. Due to the pressure of water scarcity most of perennial rivers in the Limpopo are dammed. This cannot only change its hydrological state of the river but also the ecological functioning of associated wetlands Erosion and sedimentation of wetlands due human activities such roads construction, residential development and etc. are the daily concern to most areas in the Limpopo Province Unsustainable cultivation in and around wetlands have major impact on the biological diversity of wetlands. Also unsustainable harvesting of wetlands raw material can increase evaporation of water and promote soil erosion as well The impact that alien plants and forestry plantations have on the quantity of water in the wetlands of Limpopo cannot be avoided since the shortage of water in the supplied rivers even threaten livelihood of the surrounding communities 4. The roles Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Nationally the wetlands issues were delegated to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). Since LEDET is provincial extension of DEAT is obligated to take the following responsibilities to ensure conservation and wise use of local wetlands: Participated in identifying and prioritizing wetlands for rehabilitation, conservation and management Co-ordinate the wetland inventory in the Limpopo province Assist in the implementation of Ramsar Convention in the Limpopo province Provide scientific inputs to any wetlands related applications (Permits/EIA’s) and any wetlands issues raised by public Participated in the Limpopo wetlands Forum and related networks 5. Updated state of wetlands in the Limpopo Province More than 375 wetlands identified and recorded across Limpopo province through wetlands inventory programme (both inside and outside protected areas) 76% of all the wetlands recorded in Limpopo Province are perennial wet, 20% seasonal and 4% temporal wet More than 50% of identified wetlands are in critical state About 16% of all recorded wetlands had been rehabilitated across the province through working for wetlands programme Delineation of wetlands in Makapan valley (World Heritage site) in currently underway and the assessment and delineation upstream of Dorp river inside Makapan valley completed Two Ramsar sites (Nylsvley & Makuleke Floodplain) are still in good condition despite being threatened by long dry season, overgrazing, alien invasive plants and other related disturbances. They also serve as the educational and tourist centres. Public awareness & capacity building conducted every year through world wetlands day celebration held in the local & Districts Municipalities across the province 6. Status and threats of prioritized wetlands per District Municipalities 6.1. Vhembe District 6.1.1. Tshakhuma 2, '-23.05022 30.28519, Makhado Local Municipality Tshakhuma 2 Figure 1. Map showing the locality and status of the Tshakhuma wetland The wetland falls middle-stream of Luvuvhu river catchment area. The type of wetland is valley bottom depression. The hydrological regime of the wetland is perennial wet. The dominant vegetation covers on wetlands comprised of reeds, sedges and bulrush. The wetland is mainly threatened by road, bridge, residential, water abstraction, cultivation, alien invasive plants. The overall impact of disturbances on wetland is critical 6.1.2. Maungani 1, '-22.98345 30.44323, Thulamela Local Municipality Maungani 1 Figure 2. Map showing the locality and status of the Maungani wetland The wetland falls middle-stream of Luvuvhu river catchment area. The type of wetland is valley bottom floodplain. The water regime of the wetland is perennial wet. The dominant vegetation covers on wetland comprised of reeds, sedges, bulrushes and rushes. The wetland is mainly threatened by road, bridge, residential, water abstraction, cultivation and brick making. The overall impact of disturbances on wetland is critical 6.1.3. Musina 7, -22.37459 30.06196, Musina Nature Reserve Musina 7 Figure 3. Map showing the locality and status of the Musina wetland The wetland falls within the Limpopo river catchment area. The type of wetland is hillslope seepage. The water regime of the wetland is perennial wet. The dominant vegetation covers on wetland is sedges. The wetland is mainly threatened by road, erosion, sedimentation and animal trampling. The overall impact of disturbances on wetland is serious. 6.2. Capricorn District 6.2.1. Ga-Rankuwa 1, -23,58739 29,2532, Polokwane Local Municipality Ga-Rankuwa 1 Figure 4. Map showing the locality and status of the Ga-Rankuwa wetland The wetland falls within the Mokgalakwena river catchment area. The type of wetland is valley bottom depression.