University of Aarhus ECOTOURISM AS A WAY TO PROTECT ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Ecotourism as a sustainable way to protect nature as ‘savages’ or barbarians, and thus unable to ‘appreciate’ European refinements such as notions of ‘cruelty’ or ‘pleasure hunting’” (Carruthers, 1995). The situation was kept as explained until 1980 when African parks were opened to all races although these parks were divided into black and white areas. In 1990, the real change came with two milestones in Africa’s history: the legalization of the African National Congress and the liberalization of Nelson Mandela. Even thought the African Natives have felt a very deep hate to the ‘white idea’ of national parks because of all they meant to the blacks, Nelson Mandela saw in them an opportunity for development of the nation. However, he believed that some changes had to occur, as for example a revision of the management of these national parks (which were at that point carried out by landowners), employment of local people, and equal division of revenues between locals and others. 3.2.2. Management of South African National Parks South African National Parks (SANParks) is the organisation which manages all the twenty parks in South Africa taking into account: flora, fauna, landscape and culture. Its main goal is: “National parks should be the pride and joy of all South Africans” (SANParks, 2002). To achieve that, the organisation has to follow a mission: “To acquire and mange a system of national parks that represents the indigenous wildlife, vegetation, landscape and associated cultural assets of South Africa for the pride and benefit of the nation”. The main legislation was proclaimed in 1995 and in the Land Restitution Act whose outcome is “the restitution of land rights to people or communities who were dispossessed by racist laws of the past” (SANParks, 2002). Under this 60
Ecotourism as a sustainable way to protect nature Act several agreements have been achieved as for example between Makuleke community and the organisation. The 1995 law obligates institutions to restore their possessions to the different communities. The Makuleke has agreed to giving up exploitation of their areas for the next 50 years in favour of ecotourism. The conservation program includes management of biodiversity and social ecology: “The SANParks will continue to fulfil the reason for its existence…namely the conservation and management of biodiversity and the protection of the beautiful scenery that South Africa is blessed with. But we want to do more then that by introducing the vital element of people into conservation- for without people, conservation could not be said to be taking place. By doing this, we shall bring our parks to life, rejuvenate them. We call this approach social ecology” (Mavuso Msimang, Chief Executive SANParks) Three main points in ecotourism are implemented in the management of African national parks: • The conservation of representative sample of the biodiversity of the country. • To maintain a relationship of community upliftment and capacity building amongst people living in and around the park areas. • To provide a recreational outlet to the public to experience and enjoy the wonders of the parks. 61
Page 1:
University of Aarhus Environmental
Page 4 and 5:
Ecotourism as a sustainable way to
Page 6 and 7:
Page 8 and 9:
Page 10 and 11:
Page 12 and 13: Ecotourism as a sustainable way to
show all

University of Aarhus ECOTOURISM AS A WAY TO PROTECT ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?