2005/2006 - SANParks

2006South African National ParksPEOPLE AND CONSERVATIONCommunity RelationsThe establishment of a Park Forum is pending. Various talks regardingthe park and the Garden Route Initiative, took place at various clubsin the area.Environmental EducationThere are ongoing programmes with the local schools. A total of281 kids were hosted during the period under review. A group ofgirls from Afrikaans Meisies Hoërskool visited the area for an intensive“nature experience”. The group had to produce projects for a nationalcompetition sponsored by the National Youth Development Foundation.A number of gold and silver awards were won for projects generatedduring their visit to Knysna.Marketing InitiativesRelationships were fostered with the local tourism bureau and jointinitiatives were undertaken to market the area with the idea of hostingovernight visitors in the Wilderness National Park.PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONSA national media tour to the area was done in conjunction with KnysnaTourism. An exhibition stand with a forestry theme was erectedat the offi ce on Thesens Jetty during the Knysna Oyster Festival.Competitions were held and many visitors who came to see the SANaval ships visited the stand.THE FORESTRY SECTIONOVERVIEWOn 1 April 2005 the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF)Area offi ce in Knysna and three forestry estates, namely Farleigh,Diepwalle and Tsitsikamma, as well as the adjacent mountain catchmentarea, totalling more than 100 000ha, were transferred to SANParkson a delegation basis.A total of 126 personnel from the (DWAF) were transferred. Twentyoneof these offi cials were temporarily seconded to the Department ofEnvironmental Affairs and Tourism until their pension benefi ts could beresolved. The seconded personnel received their appointment letterson 1 March 2006, after the pension benefi t, totalling R6.2 million, wastransferred to the SANParks provident fund.Two successful timber auctions were held during the 2005/06 fi nancialyear. The demand for Australian Blackwood and Yellowwood was veryhigh and good prices were realised for these species. The demandfor the lesser species is generally very poor and the fi nancial viabilityof harvesting of these species will be investigated. The three Forestryestates are FSC certifi ed and the annual audit in August 2005 wentexceptionally well.The Tsitsikamma mountain catchment areas burnt during November2005, totalling almost 40 000ha. The senescent fynbos was ignitedby lightning.The exhibition was a success as visitors were made aware of thefact that the Knysna Protected Natural Environment and the ForestrySection in the area forms part of SANParks.61