iSIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK: INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLAN (2017 – 2021) iSimangaliso Wetland Park Integrated Management Plan (2017 – 2021) Draft IMP Minister’s Foreword ii © - iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority iSIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK: INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLAN (2017 – 2021) TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF FIGURES...................................................................................................................................................vi LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................................... vii ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................................... viii 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Purpose of the Integrated Management Plan................................................................................. 1 1.2 Enabling Legal Framework ............................................................................................................ 2 1.2.1 World Heritage Convention and Operational Guidelines ................................................. 2 1.2.2 World Heritage Convention Act, 1999 (Act 49 of 1999) ................................................... 4 1.2.3 National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act 57 of 2003) ....... 4 1.2.4 Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act 18 of 1998) ...................................................... 4 1.2.5 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of 2004) .............. 4 1.2.6 Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999) .................................................. 5 1.2.7 Name, Location, Extent and Status of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park ........................... 5 1.3 The iSimangaliso Integrated Management Plan (2017 – 2021) ..................................................... 8 1.3.1 The IMP Process ............................................................................................................. 8 1.3.2 Focus of the 2017 – 2021 IMP ........................................................................................ 9 1.3.3 Structure of the IMP ...................................................................................................... 10 2. OVERVIEW OF THE iSIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK ........................................................................... 11 2.1 Biophysical Environment .............................................................................................................. 11 2.1.1 Climate .......................................................................................................................... 11 2.1.2 Oceanographic Features ............................................................................................... 11 2.1.3 Geomorphology ............................................................................................................. 11 2.1.4 Geology and Soils ......................................................................................................... 12 2.1.5 Hydrology and Geohydrology ........................................................................................ 12 2.1.6 Ecosystems ................................................................................................................... 14 2.1.7 Vegetation ..................................................................................................................... 15 2.1.8 Fauna ............................................................................................................................ 16 2.2 Socio-Economic Environment ...................................................................................................... 16 2.2.1 Population ..................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.2 Land use ....................................................................................................................... 19 2.2.3 Regional Infrastructure and Services ............................................................................ 19 2.2.4 Economic Opportunities (Tourism and Agriculture) ....................................................... 21 2.3 Cultural Heritage .......................................................................................................................... 23 2.4 Land Restitution ........................................................................................................................... 24 IMP Table of Contents iii © - iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority iSIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK: INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLAN (2017 – 2021) 3. STRATEGIC ANALYSIS OF THE iSIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK ....................................................... 25 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 25 3.2 Significance of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park ............................................................................ 25 3.2.1 Conservation Significance ............................................................................................. 25 3.2.2 Cultural Heritage Significance ....................................................................................... 30 3.2.3 Economic Significance .................................................................................................. 31 3.3 Challenges and threats facing the iSimangaliso Wetland Park .................................................... 33 3.3.1 Threats to the natural values of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park ................................... 33 3.3.2 Constraints to poverty alleviation and empowerment .................................................... 42 3.3.3 Constraints to tourism development .............................................................................. 44 3.4 Proposed interventions ................................................................................................................ 46 4. POLICY AND STRATEGIC PLANNING FRAMEWORK AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ......................... 58 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 58 4.2 Planning cycle and reporting requirements .................................................................................. 58 4.3 Vision ........................................................................................................................................... 59 4.4 Mission ......................................................................................................................................... 59 4.5 Management goals ....................................................................................................................... 59 4.6 Implementation plan (2017-2021) ................................................................................................ 60 4.6.1 Detailed implementation plan ........................................................................................ 61 4.6.2 Implementation Plan Budget ......................................................................................... 78 5 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK: TOOLS FOR INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT ........ 79 5.1 Spatial Planning Measures and Controls ..................................................................................... 79 5.1.1 Zonation ........................................................................................................................ 79 5.1.2 iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area ............................................................................. 98 5.1.3 Boat Launch Sites and Controls .................................................................................... 98 5.1.4 Beach Driving Sites and Controls .................................................................................. 98 5.1.5 Sensitive Areas/Sites .................................................................................................... 98 5.1.6 Development Node Framework ..................................................................................... 98 5.1.7 Visitor carrying capacity .............................................................................................. 102 5.1.8 Permissible Activities Framework ................................................................................ 110 5.1.9 Non-Permissible Activities ........................................................................................... 113 5.1.10 Development and Management Blocks ....................................................................... 113 5.1.11 Zone of Influence (Buffer Zone) .................................................................................. 114 5.2 Policies, strategies and plans ..................................................................................................... 116 5.2.1 Conservation Operational Plan (COP) ........................................................................ 116 5.2.2 Species Management Plans .......................................................................................