Potter, D., 1994. Update on the current situation of rhinos in Natal: pp. 25-30
 | In: Penzhorn, B.L. et al. Proceedings of a symposium on rhinos as game ranch animals. Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa, 9-10 September 1994: pp. i-iv, 1-242 |
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| Location: |
World |
| Subject: |
Conservation |
| Species: |
All Rhino Species |
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Information and general support from neighbours is more readily given if parks are seen to be omevant and, in order to achieve this, the Natal Parks Board has launched an extensive series of programmes to make conservation in general and protected areas in particular more relevant to neighboring communities. These are
1. To encourage participation in protected area management and planning by creating Neighbour's Forums to
(a) create trust;
(b) discuss boundary and land issues;
c) create wildlife resource harvesting programmes;
(d) provide controlled free access;
(e) formalise and honour commitments.
2. To foster economic and social development thus contributing to an improved quality of life by
(a) addressing basic social needs of neighboring communities;
(b) encouraging preferential employment;
c) involving local entrepreneurs;
(d) developing wildlife resource areas on periphery of protected areas;
(e) undertaking appropriate training of staff.
3. To enhance environmental awareness by
(a) developing environmental education and interpretation programmes;
(b) creating an appropriate problem animal policy;
c) undertaking training of staff;
(d) creating a Neighbourhood Trust to fund such actions.
Neighboring communities are encouraged to create forums with the park staff and external funding is obtained from institutions such as the Independent Development Trust to fund projects such a community markets, school buildings, water schemes and market gardens. The Board acts as a facilitator in these projects.
Due to the fairly high requirement for manpower in protected areas, the resultant salary outflow from the parks is large. From Natal parks alone R37 million was earned by staff from communities neighboring the protected areas.
Neighbours benefit from the harvesting of natural resources such as wood, thatch, 'muti' plants, sand, meat, bait and fodder. During 1992 some R2,25 million in retail value was collected in the Natal Parks by neighbours.
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Update on the current situation of rhinos in Natal
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