2005/2006 - SANParks

2005South African National ParksGARDEN ROUTE CLUSTERCONSERVATION IN THE PARKRainfall for the area was signifi cantly down on the long term average andwater restrictions have been in put place in both the Knysna and Georgemunicipal areas due to the extremely low levels of the supply dams in thearea. Both the mouths of the Swartvlei estuary and the Touw River areclosed berm construction has taken place at both mouths.The Protected Areas Amendment Act has been in effect since 1 November2006 and a list of approved fi nes and regulations has been submittedto the George and Knysna magistrates for approval. The new Act hasalso withdrawn all regulations pertaining to the Wilderness Lake Area,which leaves park offi cials with no regulations to use and enforce in theadjacent areas of the park.The park staff assisted the Municipality in extinguishing a fi re burning inadjoining land on the upper plateau near Hoekwil. This was one of manyfi res occurring simultaneously in the Garden Route in November 2005.A wild fi re that is believed to have been started by an overhead powerline broke out on an adjoining property on the 23 December 2005 andspread into the park on 25th December 2005. Personnel spent severaldays fi ghting the fi re and were assisted by the District Municipality and theGeorge Municipality. The extent of the fi re still has to be determined.The Coast Care project is on course to meet its targets with four teamsworking in the area. One of the teams is being managed jointly by thepark and the adjoining Cape Nature Reserve of Goukamma.TOURISMThe park has experienced a consistent growth in occupancy. This is theresult of a good marketing campaign aimed at raising awareness of thepark. The profi le of the visitors is still not representative of the broadersociety; however measures are being put in place to rectify this. All themajor maintenance and planned infrastructure upgrades of the touristaccommodation units were done.The 50% off discount offered during August and September proved tobe effective as it had a signifi cant impact on increasing the occupancyfi gures in the park. The camping facilities of the park were awarded athree star grading.PEOPLE AND CONSERVATIONCommunity RelationsThe establishment of a Park Forum was postponed pending the integrationof DWAF areas. The Kransvlei community resource centre is up andrunning and has been well attended by at least 40 children and adultsfrom both the Kransvlei and Kleinkrans areas.58