2 February 2000
The Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism today announced the designation of the area of Verloren Valei Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga for inclusion in the list of Wetlands of International Importance as part of this year's celebration of the World Wetlands Day celebrated annually on the 2 February. This site will join the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park - recently designated, as a World Heritage Site - on the international map of environmental conservation, which is good news for both environmental awareness and tourism.
World Wetland Day marks the date of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (commonly referred to as the Ramsar Convention) signed in the Iranian City of Ramsar on 2 February 1971. Its aim is to raise public awareness of the value and benefits of wetlands. The Ramsar Convention, which has been signed by 118 countries around the world, emphasises the urgency with which fragile wetlands must be protected.
This year's theme for WWD is 'Celebrating our Wetlands of International Importance' to recognise that these special places have exceptional symbolic significance in capturing public Interest and demonstrating the values and benefits that communities can enjoy from all wetlands. These sites are designated based on their significance in terms of ecology, botany, limnology and hydrology. To date there are 1014 Wetlands on the World List and South Africa boasts 16 of these sites. Information on the Ramsar Convention and descriptive summaries of the 16 South African sites can be found on our website: www.environment.gov.za.
The Ministry and the Mpumalanga Parks Board see the designation of the Verloen Valei as a great opportunity for the communities in its vicinity to take maximum advantage of its benefits. This area boast more than 30 wetlands ranging in size from 2ha to 250ha. This site is ecologically important and supports high botanical diversity. The support of the community is therefore crucial in guaranteeing their sustainable use and conservation, and government is in consultation with the leadership of the community to ensure their long-term protection.
Issued by the Ministry for Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
For More Information Contact: Osborne Masilela - 082 655 4746