the richtersveld cultural and botanical landscape - SAHRA

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape World Heritage Site Nomination 112
The Act specifies that disturbances to ecosystems, landscapes and sites that
constitute the cultural and natural heritage of the nation and the loss of biological
diversity must be avoided, and that “highly dynamic, sensitive, vulnerable or
stressed ecosystems, such as coastal shores, dolomitic land and ridges, estuaries,
wetlands, and similar ecosystems require specific attention in management and
planning procedures, especially where they are subjected to significant human
usage and development pressure” (the Act, 1999, p.10). These provisions of the
Act are supported in law by the National Environmental Management Act of 1998
and the Environmental Conservation Act of 1989.
The Act requires the Government to establish authorities to ensure the protection of
and responsible development in World Heritage Sites; to ensure the preparation of
integrated management plans for inscribed sites; and to ensure necessary financial
controls and auditing for management of the sites. An authority will be determined
for every World Heritage Site, and such authorities will work hand-in hand in an
integrated manner with local, district, provincial and national government and
controlling bodies.
National Environmental Management Act (1998)
The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) is the most important piece
of environmental legislation. It serves to provide for cooperative environmental
governance by establishing:
• principles for decision making on matters affecting the environment;
• institutions that will promote cooperative governance; and
• procedures for coordinating environmental functions exercised by organs of
state.
NEMA focuses on regulating the following main aspects: development, planning,
natural and cultural resources and their utilization, the control of pollution, and the
management of waste. NEMA is heavily founded in the principles of sustainable