Wetlands crucial to tourism, community livelihoods
Water and Environmental Affairs Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi highlighted the importance of wetlands conservation, saying wetlands were important for tourism and community livelihoods, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) reports.
Mabudafhasi spoke at a World Wetlands Day event held at the Makuleke Wetlands in Limpopo. In 2007, Makuleke Wetlands was declared a Ramsar site - a wetland of international importance - and is acknowledged as the first Ramsar site worldwide that is owned and co-managed by the community.
South Africa was commended for its good work in designating these unique wetlands during the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention in Korea, where the Makuleke Wetlands Ramsar certificate was granted. Currently about 40 people are benefiting from the Makuleke community where a rehabilitation project worth R1.8 million was undertaken, Mabudafhasi said.
More than 800 wetlands are to be rehabilitated across South Africa, Mabudafhasi told the GCIS, adding that South Africa's extraordinary ecological wealth gave the country a unique opportunity to capitalise on emerging green markets and help the country adapt to climate change. "The rehabilitation and proper management of our ecosystems will not only increase our competitive advantage, but help us adapt our economy to become more sustainable and resilient in changing global conditions," she said.
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