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Green Flag status for Knysna forest trails

20 May 2015

Two hiking trails in the Knysna forest, also part of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP), recently received Green Flag status. Perdekop (9, 5km nature walk) and Olifants (in Diepwalle) hiking trails were accredited by the Hiking Organisation of Southern Africa (HOSA) on 14 May 2015.

Simon Howden via www.freedigitalphotos.net

This is a global benchmark for hiking trails and includes the following criteria: conservation status, health and safety measures, cleanliness and maintenance, sustainability, management and others.

The GRNP is an open access park spanning over 155,000 hectares from Wilderness to Tsitsikamma. The well-being of all societies depends on healthy ecosystems. Protected areas can conserve healthy ecosystems and improve our health and well-being.

Regarding the accreditation, area manager for Knysna, Johan de Klerk says 'this is great for the park and also for Knysna.' He adds that Victor Cunningham, SANParks ranger who is based in the Tsitsikamma section of the GRNP was recently chosen as the regional chairperson of HOSA. This is a newly established body including most landowners with hikes in the area, including SANParks, Cape Pine, Cape Nature and others.

Cunningham says his duties will include 'assisting in the development of existing trails to reach globally acceptable Green Flag standards and objectives. He will also advise trail owners how to become involved in HOSA activities'.