Conservation milestone benefits Chrissiesmeer
These areas will add 73 000 ha of important grassland habitat to the network of protected areas in the province.
The MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Ms Pinky Phosa, declared five new protected areas in Mpumalang on 22 January.
These areas will add 73 000 ha of important grassland habitat to the network of protected areas in the province.
An area of 60 203 ha has been allocated to Chrissiesmeer.
“Chrissiesmeer is an important tourism hub within the province and the protection of this site will enable the continued development of tourism opportunities in this area,” Mr Jacque Modipane, CEO of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, said.
Wetlands support large populations of water birds and The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) focuses on the conservation of threatened species and their habitats.
The Chrissiesmeer pans and surrounding grasslands are immensely important for water birds and threatened grassland birds, such as the African Grass Owl.
Ursula Franke, Senior Field Officer for the EWT’s African Crane Conservation Programme, expressed her excitement over this conservation milestone, especially in the light of the development pressures the areas are facing.
She also extended the EWT’s appreciation to the MEC for her commitment to biodiversity conservation.
