MAN AND BIOSPHERE RESERVES PROGRAMME PRESENTATION TO NSTF 06 June By: Vongani Maringa 2014

Transcription

1 MAN AND BIOSPHERE RESERVES PROGRAMME PRESENTATION TO NSTF 06 June 2014 By: Vongani Maringa 2014

2 Biosphere Reserve(s) background Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are national sites designated under UNESCO s MAB programme to promote conservation and sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science. Provide a platform for local people, citizens and government authorities to come together and build consensus to solve problems relating to sustainable development Provide platform for research and modelling of research into the impacts of human and natural phenomena e.g.: climate change, ecosystem degradation Remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the countries in which they are situated.

3 Biosphere reserves perform three main roles: Biosphere reserves functions Conservation contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and generic variation Conservation Sustainable use Development foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable Logistic support support for demonstration projects, environmental education and training, research and monitoring related to local, regional, National and global issues of conservation and sustainable development Logistic support

4 These functions are associated through a zonation system including: Core area(s) Biosphere reserves function cont Buffer zone(s) Transition area(s) T E T R M R R Research station or experimental research site M Monitoring E Education/training T Tourism

5 Current status of BR in South Africa The following Biosphere reserves are listed in South Africa: Kogelberg 1998 Cape West Coast 2000 Waterberg 2001 Kruger to Canyons 2001 Cape Winelands 2007 Vhembe Biosphere 2009 The following new initiatives are in various stages of development: Gouritz Cluster (final stage of nominations) Magaliesberg (final stage of nominations) Amathole Marico Garden Route initiative

6 Biosphere reserves in South Africa

7 Vhembe BR

8 Kruger to Canyon BR

9 Waterberg BR

10 Cape West Coast BR

11 MAB institutional structure (s) The International Co-ordinating Council (ICC): Consists of 34 Member States that meet every year South Africa is a member of MAB ICC, elected in October 2013 and will serve till 37th session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2017 MAB ICC is the governing body of MAB, responsible for guiding and supervising the MAB Programme (621 BRs in 117 Countries) delegates its authority to the MAB Bureau in between meetings. The MAB Bureau is comprised of 6 members from each of UNESCO s geopolitical regions. International Advisory Committee for BRs comprised of experts

12 MAB institutional structure cont AfriMAB Regional Network for biosphere reserves, currently chaired by Ghana responsible for coordination of 68 BRs in 28 countries in Sub-saharan Africa National MAB Committee Comprised of national/provincial/local government, NGO s and community reps, chaired by DEA Biosphere Reserve Management Structure Comprised of Provincial, Local government, land owners, NGOs and Civil Society

13 Benefits of the BR The value of the biosphere reserve lies in its ability to inclusively reach beyond biodiversity by giving equal priority to socio-economic issues as it seeks to reconcile the use and conservation of natural resources Catalyst for integrated planning a more informed balance can be struck between the demands of agriculture, mining and nature based tourism or the provision of ecosystem services Catalyst for a partnership between government and civil society

14 Examples of current projects in BRs Manufacturing of Innovative Products from alien plants (creating job opportunities) Restoration of biodiversity River monitoring/research done in partnership with Water Affairs in Cape West Coast BR Implementation of Climate Change adaption projects Carbon offset projects Walking trails etc

15 Proposed Activities at National Level Development of National MAB Strategy Explore ways on which to integrate BRs in legislation

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