Responsible
Tourism - South Africa
Nature Conservation
What Is The Issue?
South Africa is the third most biologically diverse country in the world, although it occupies only 2% of the global land area. The country is home to 10% of the world’s plants and 7% of its reptiles, birds and mammals.
Despite this the consumption of renewable resources in South Africa far exceeds replacement capacity, with 46% of our forests and 62% of grasslands already destroyed and 10% of our plants threatened with extinction.
As natural resources sustain the livelihoods of millions of people, biodiversity loss has a direct impact on quality of life.
What Can You Do?
Set Targets
Increase what you spend on nature conservation, e.g. by 10% per year for 3 years.
Place a conservation levy on tourist visits, e.g. R10 per person per night, and earmark this for conservation projects.
Use at least 15% of the land around your buildings for habitat conservation (e.g. building a pond, planting indigenous trees).
Some Operational Tips
Land Management
Launch a land rehabilitation program, focusing on erosion control, clearing of alien vegetation and planting of indigenous flora.
Get experts to assist you to draw up and implement a land management program.
Draw up rules to control off-road driving and other activities that impact on the environment.
Adopt a nearby beach, forest or river and organize litter cleanups.
Fauna and Flora Conservation
Support a local wildlife or nature conservation program by providing funds or volunteers.
If you operate in a wildlife reserve, get experts to advise you on wildlife management e.g. carrying capacity, annual culling programs, understanding animal behavior.
Encourage scientific research of fauna and flora on your property.
Natural Resource Use
Get an expert to draw up a sustainable resource use program for your land – invite local communities to harvest thatching grass, wood etc. accordingly.
Buy crafts that are sustain ably produced and avoid curios or furniture made of indigenous hardwoods.
Be responsible in the use of wood for fires e.g. use wood from bush-clearing operations.
Education
Build sensitively placed trails and hides, with interpretation material for guests.
Develop a code of conduct for interaction with wildlife and disseminate this to guests
Ensure that your staff are educated about the importance of conserving biodiversity. Send them on nature conservation courses or invite guest lecturers.
Educate local communities about the importance of sustainable natural resource management.
Who’s Doing It?
Ocean Blue Adventures in Plettenberg Bay supports the Ocean Research and Conservation Africa (Orca) Foundation. Orca aims to return the local marine and coastal environment to a pristine condition by combining conservation, community development, science, education, business and tourism.
Coral Divers at Sodwana Bay annually participates in a reef-cleaning exercise. One day is set aside for divers to remove waste, which has collected on reefs as a result of divers, boats and anglers.
At Grootbos Nature Reserve near Hermanus, all alien invasive trees have been removed, former grazing land rehabilitated and a Milkwood restoration program introduced. More than 50 000 indigenous plants have been planted and Grootbos provides practical support for indigenous gardening in the region.
Imbali Safari Lodge has an off-road code of conduct for rangers, which prevents off-road driving on sensitive duplex/sodic soils. All rangers receive training in how to identify ‘no-go’ soils.
Sabi Sabi is involved in extensive rehabilitation of its land. This includes clearing alien vegetation encroachment and working to prevent soil erosion. The reserve has re-introduced endangered species, such as the Crowned Eagle.
How to Green Your Landscape
Set up an indigenous garden and remove alien trees or plants. Get involved in Working For Water initiatives that will help remove alien invasive plants.
Avoid using chemical pesticides that can kill off natural predators. Try to use organic fertilizers, weed killers and pesticides and biological pest controls.
Think carefully about planting exotic species e.g. roses, which require regular watering and the use of chemical fungicides and insecticides.
Responsible Tourism Awards
Develop a Responsible Tourism Awards system in your area, host them annually by the head of your Responsible Tourism Association, this enable tourism businesses to illustrate their commitment to responsible tourism and to showcase their economic, social and environmental achievements. Entrants are judged on measurable actions they have taken to promote sustainable tourism development.
|