PROVINCE TO USE WETLANDS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

An undertaking that emerged at the Provincial Wetlands Workshop

ENVIRO FOCUS: Wetlands Ecologist, Anton Linstrom
and Chief Director for Environmental Services, Sam Maluleka
during the Wetlands Workshop.

The Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture and Land Administration successfully held a workshop on the 15 th March, on the role of local government in water management and wetland conservation. The workshop held in partnership with the Mpumalanga Wetland Forum (MWF) looked at recent events in the province relating to health hazards and water shortages. It sought to raise the profile of wetlands in the province and highlight the important environmental services they offer.

In his address, Chief Director for Environmental Services, Mr Sam Maluleka, submitted that as municipalities are the custodians of the environment at a grassroots level, local government therefore plays a vital role in the management of our wetlands and water resources. With the joining of hands, Maluleka, charges that this shows commitment to work together but an example of co-operative environmental governance.

Officials from various municipalities in the province, environmentalists and other affected parties listened to presentations by speakers from the Wetlands Forum, Working for Water Programme and Water Affairs and Forestry Department. The inputs helped to see the relevance of wetlands in relation to municipal officials dealing with local economic development, integrated development planning, health and environment as well as waste, water and disaster management

Anton Linstrom, a Wetland Ecologist from the Mpumalanga Parks Board, explained the importance and role-played by wetlands in the betterment of communities' lives. “Wetlands play an important role in water purification, provision and need to be protected. He argues that wetlands take control over floods, could solve water problems, and provide habitat for biodiversity.

To move the process forward, the workshop made the following inputs:

• Political awareness and support and buy in at a higher level (Municipal Managers and Mayors)
• Wetland Workshop for Municipal Mayors and Managers, MEC invitation and initiative (both DALA MEC and DLG&H MEC)
• More enforcement of legislation – relevant authorities need to enforce respective mandates
• Involvement form community level (ward level) ward councillor rally support from grass roots level
• Municipal officials need to get involved in Mpumalanga Wetland Forum

Key wetland areas in Mpumalanga are around Dullstroom, Lothair, Chrissiesmeer and Wakkerstrooom. Of particular importance is Verloren Vallei near Dullstroom as it has

been recognised as a wetland of international importance in terms of the Ramsar Convention and as such has been afforded international status and protection.

If managed properly, wetlands could bring positive spin-offs for the rural poor. To them, wetlands are source of income that they obtain from production of crops, grazing of cattle as well as fishing and hunting. The department said 60 percent of the country's wetlands lost or degraded, with the causes being indiscriminate ploughing and overgrazing, chemicals and fertilizers that end up in the water, the construction of dams, and the removal of vegetation and poorly planned and managed development activities.

Issued by the Communication Directorate

Contact: Freddy Ngobe – 013 766 6086 / 082 821 4148

Department of Agriculture and Land Administration.