"After careful consideration, the department of environmental affairs has decided to enter into negotiations with the Indalo Yethu Trust to discuss its dissolution," the department said in a statement.

This followed a review of the organisation's viability.

Indalo Yethu was established in 2006 by government and the Wildlife and Environment Society of SA (Wessa) to develop and implement a national environmental awareness campaign.

It was to serve as an endorsement brand, conduct a communication and outreach campaign, and generate the income needed to enable its running.

But a review found that the cost of compliance with statutory requirements and its operational expenses could not be supported from the funds allocated to it.

Indalo Yethu was expected to generate sufficient income to fund its operations within two years of its founding.

"As it was never the intention of the department to fund the operations of Indalo Yethu in perpetuity; it was decided to discuss the possible dissolution of the trust with its trustees."

The department would formally withdraw its funding from the trust, following Wessa's withdrawal, even if the trustees did not agree to the move.

"The department believes that the dissolution of the trust should not hamper the objectives for which the trust was set up. Similar work is already being done by the department and its partners and these might be expanded on in the future."