Molewa reveals conservation funding gap

13 October 2011 - 15:44 By Sapa
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An owl. File picture
An owl. File picture
Image: Bruce Gorton

Nature conservation in South Africa receives between about a half and two-thirds of the funds it needs to be managed properly, according to Environment Minister Edna Molewa.

In a written reply to a parliamentary question tabled on Thursday, she said a 2009 costing exercise found a total conservation funding shortfall of about R3.4 billion, or 47 percent.

Further, a study into management effectiveness of protected areas, undertaken during 2009/10, had estimated the minimum conservation costs "to 30 percent aggregate underfunding".

This was mainly due to provincial environment departments "having to compete with other critical functions such as health, education and social welfare".

On measures to deal with the problem, she said provinces had been encouraged to speak to their treasuries and motivate for additional funding.

They should also "explore innovative mechanisms of generating their own revenue in order to minimise their reliance on state funding".

Molewa said her department continued to engage National Treasury for additional funds, particularly for use in acquiring land and infrastructure development and maintenance.

"[The] development of a business case for biodiversity conservation is underway, co-ordinated by [the department] and the SA National Biodiversity Institute," she said.

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