The Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment
14 300 hectares of mostly grassland and wetlands between Belfast and Dullstroom was declared a Protected Environment by the Mpumalanga Government in April 2017.
Legislation in South Africa makes provision for different categories of formal protection for areas of great conservation value with National Reserves and National Parks in the top category and activities in them are strictly controlled.
The second level is the Protected Environment in which activities such as farming can continue but more destructive activities such as mining are prohibited.
The Greater Lakenvlei area is critical to biodiversity as it harbours all three of South Africa’s cranes as well as other threatened species such as the white-winged flufftail.
Much of the area is described as irreplaceable by conservation scientists and its massive wetlands are an invaluable source of good quality water for both the water stressed Olifants and Inkomati systems.
In addition, the protection afforded by this declaration will ensure that stock farming and the growing ecotourism hospitality industry will thrive which will all lead to greater job creation with the threat of mining significantly diminished.
The committee of the Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment (GLPE) Association met recently under the chairmanship of Andy Mills to discuss the implementation of the management plan.
Initially the focus will be on publicising the area as a tourist destination through the media and with signage at the entry points to the GLPE.
The committee will also investigate what assistance may be obtained from organisations such as Working for Water, the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency and other interested parties. It is important to note that donors automatically give preference to areas that are formally conserved such as the Greater Lakenvlei.
In the longer term it is proposed to expand the GLPE by incorporating land bordering the GLPE and to actively promote ecotourism in the GLPE.
There are already several mountain bike tracks and hiking trails in the GLPE while the area is also renowned for birding and wild flowers. Eradication of alien invasive plants and trees and problem animals will also be given priority.
Fortunately, the GLPE has the support of a very active and strong Dullstroom Farmers Association with all landowners currently members of this association. For further information on the GLPE contact Peter at mwardern@mweb.co.za.
