the richtersveld cultural and botanical landscape - SAHRA

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape World Heritage Site Nomination 117
Environmental Conservation Act. However, in order to create a management
system for heritage resources any one of a number of options for ‘formal protection’
has to be gazetted by the appropriate heritage authority. In the case of the
Richtersveld Community Conservancy Heritage Area status is considered by the
community and its advisers to be the most appropriate such measure (See
discussion below).
The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (2004)
This Act recently became part of South African law in order to support NEMA
(1998) in regards to the conservation of biodiversity. It outlines its main purposes as
to the management and conservation of the components of biodiversity, their
sustainable use, and their equitable use. It stipulates that the methods of such
conservation and management be supported by cooperative governance and to
give effect to ratified international agreements relating to biodiversity. Finally it
creates the South African National Biodiversity Institute to assist in achieving the
Act’s objectives.
The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (2004)
This Act (Act No 57 of 2003) was amended by Act No 31 of 2004 to create revised
Protected Areas regulations. The Act serves to provide:
• for the protection and conservation of ecologically viable areas
representative of South Africa’s biological diversity and its natural
landscapes and seascapes;
• for the establishment of a national resister of all national, provincial and local
protected areas;
• for the management of those areas in accordance with national norms and
standards;
• for intergovernmental co-operation and public consultation in matters
concerning protected areas;
• for the continued existence, governance and functions of South African
National Parks;