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SOUTHERN AFRICAN PEACE PARKS

|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park

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On 1 August 2003 a new era for desert tourism and conservation unique succulent biodiversity dawned when the treaty on the establishment of the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park was signed by the presidents of Namibia and South Africa. The park measures 6 045 km² and spans some of the most spectacular arid and desert mountain scenery in southern Africa. It also features the world's second largest canyon - the Fish River Canyon. The 350 million year old and erosion-rich Orange River gorge abounds with history, folklore and grandeur and the Richtersveld is one of the last regions where the Nama people's traditional lifestyle based on nomadic pastoralism has been preserved.

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Progress

Subsequent to the signing of the international treaty the park's joint management board (JMB) was appointed in February 2004. JMB has since been holding regular meetings and has been overseeing the formulation of important operational documents to guide the management of the park. These include a financial protocol, the park's joint management plan and a business plan for the pontoon at Sendelingsdrift in the Richtersveld. The latter includes a management plan as well as a training and maintenance manual. JMB approved the joint management plan as a guideline document in August 2008.

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For further news on progress made, go to Progress Report.

 

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Current projects

Priority activity presently is to secure necessary political, legal and stakeholder endorsement as well as funding for the implementation of a TFCA on the Lower Orange River. Parallel to this, a process is under way - with funding from the Foundation - to develop a suitable brand for the entire TFCA. An effort is being made to make the unique succulent biodiversity and the Nama culture form strong elements of the envisaged brand.

Donor funding is being be raised to build a bridge over the Fish River, at Fish-Orange confluence, on the arterial road traversing the |Ai-|Ais Hot Springs Game Park. At the moment this road becomes impassable for up to four months every time the Fish River comes down in flood.

Processes are under way to register a legal entity in either country that will own and manage JMB's joint assets, that will oversee JMB joint business operations and will hold JMB funds.

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International Coordinator

Mr Karl Aribeb is the International Coordinator of the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Conservation Area between Namibia and South Africa. He is based in Windhoek, Namibia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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