Animaltalk Africa with the help of HEART Pride Members, Gail Clement and Ilse Van Vuuren, has put together this document in response to the invitation to comment on the draft policy for South Africa’s National Biodiversity Economy Strategy, published on 8th March 2024.
Comments close on the 8th April… if you have not already done so, please email the Director General with your views.
Click on the link below to view Animaltalk Africa’s Submission:
ATA Comments SA DRAFT NBES 5april24
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If this plan goes through, there will be very few, if any, natural areas of South Africa protected from hunting and consumptive use. This model goes against the global trend for protecting biodiversity and working in balance with Nature. There is no way a consumptive model can be aligned with the vision of “A thriving Nature and People”, which the government is touting. Where countries around the world are calling for the burning of stockpiles of Elephant ivory and Rhino horn, South Africa is intending to sell them locally, whilst actively pushing for international trade of horn and ivory to resume. This really feels like a death knell for South Africa in so many ways. But we can transform this! South African citizens, please submit a formal comment on this draft policy by the 8th April 2024. Global citizens can write to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to express your feelings and how this plan could affect your decisions to visit South Africa as a tourist. Please address your submissions to: Mr Khorommbi Matibe, Director-General: |