| Overview : The project, Improving Management Effectiveness of the Protected Area Network, is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the South African National Parks (SANParks) as the Implementing Partner. The Project is supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) South Africa Country Office with the objective of assisting the Government of South Africa to overcome barriers to expand the national protected area estate. The high level project objectives will result in 1.) increased representation of globally important terrestrial habitats currently under-represented in the protected area system; 2.) improved management effectiveness through integrated interventions in buffer zones; and 3.) strengthening the financial sustainability of the expanded protected area network by optimizing and diversifying revenue streams through cost efficiencies. Of concern in South Africa’s protected area network, is the need for capacity building of land claimants and post-settlement beneficiation support, as well as for broader community development support in general. Of the fifteen (15) lodged land claims, the first Kruger National Park (KNP) land claim settlement agreements were signed with communities of Muyexe, Madonsi-Nwadzekudzeku, Ndindani, all in Greater Giyani municipality, Mahashi, Mhlanganisweni (Hazyview municipality), Ngirivane-Mathebula (Bushbuckridge municipality) on the 21st May 2016. Most of the land that has been claimed is within the boundary of the KNP jurisdiction. In this regard, UNDP together with SANParks, seeks to appoint a Service Provider to develop the Greater Kruger Strategic Development Framework (GKSDF) that will reflect a shared vision amongst stakeholders, and serve as an integrated institutional and partnership framework. The GKSDF will have at its centre, the KNP land claimants and Greater Kruger communities, in order to result in a more enabling and more sustainable land use and partnership environment. |
