IMP on Principles for re-introduction of game, to deal with rescue and translocation of 23 white rhino
IMP on signage: Are these user-friendly visual indications of rules that protect visitors and the Park?
IMP on ZONATION: Leave only footprints is established practice for walking trails in the wilderness area, the natural heart of the Park
IMP on ACCESS FOR ALL: Visitor numbers are laid down to ensure maximum
access with minimal impact on the Park
SEA: How it works for all of us
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in SA must be seen as a process
of integrating sustainability into strategic decision-making. This is not
to replace other instruments in the Integrated Environmental Management
(IEM) framework, such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), or to take
over from other environmental planning processes.
Rather, it will be used to support and to underpin these. The SEA is not
a panacea for all environmental ills but an important tool to assist in
decision-making.
The Authority commissioned environmental management consultants, ACER, to
undertake a SEA for the Park following many years of intensive strategic
planning and development. The World Heritage Convention Act requires that
action be taken to address high levels of poverty by optimising economic
potential of World Heritage Sites without compromising cultural and ecological
integrity. UNESCO currently sees this approach and methodologies as best
practice and are encouraging other countries to do the same.
The SEA has identified three key issue:
? In what way should sustainability be defined and applied?
? Which important resources are the most vulnerable and how can they be
protected from misuse and deterioration?
? What critical elements have to be considered to make sure an acceptable
balance is achieved in terms of the conservation and development imperatives?
Concepts of weak, strong and absurdly-strong sustainability are considered,
as applied to conservation or degrading of natural assets. Zonation policy
and division of development zones lend themselves to the application of
these concepts to all developments.
Regarding vulnerability of critical resources, three were identified:
water resources; terrestrial ecosystems; neighbouring communities.
Why not marine and estuarine resources? They are important, but in
if you look after those listed, these will also be looked after.
Some critical elements being considered are sustainability objectives,
criteria and indicators, environmental opportunities and constraints. Most
importantly, the concept of determining and managing Limits of Acceptable
Change is being further developed.
The SEA is finding nothing in the IMP and other planning instruments - -
currently being applied - that need to be revised or altered, though certain
initiatives can be implemented to complement and strengthen
sustainable management of resources, for example, the management of the
water resources.