Volume 7 Pages 1 - 43 (February 1992)

Citation: Wyatt, J. (1992) South African National Wetlands Awareness Campaign IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 7: 36

Previous | Contents | Next

South African National Wetlands Awareness Campaign

Jon Wyatt

P0 Box 17090, Congella, 4013 South Africa.

It has been estimated that if at the current rates of population growth and water consumption persist, South Africa will not have sufficient water to supply the needs of its people by early next century. At the same time soil erosion continues, and watercourses are becoming silted or polluted To draw attention to these problems a National Wetlands Campaign has been established with the help of the Southern African Nature Foundation, the Natal Parks Board, and the Wildlife Society of Southern Africa; with sponsorship by Renfreight, and co-sponsorship by Mazda Wildlife Fund and South African Breweries.

Historically, wetlands have been regarded as unproductive and even unhealthy wastelands. While an understanding of the value of wetlands and the associated investment in wetland conservation has perhaps grown, we continue to convert natural wetlands to intensive agricultural land or fill them with soil and rubble to provide space for industrial, urban and tourist expansion. Well managed, these productive ecosystems can help meet the needs of a rising population, while their degradation and loss can worsen the already intense pressures upon both rural and urban communities. Such considerations gain special importance in our developing country, where development investments have too often ignored the value of natural ecosystems.

There is little doubt that education is the key word. The national programme has been set up to focus on target wetland and river areas, and landowner communities surrounding sensitive wetlands, in order to nurture awareness and provide guidelines for correct management. User-group studies will focus on urban, agricultural, forestry and rural wetlands and rivers.

Much wetland loss is the result of ignorance of the true value of the resources concerned, or of how certain actions lead directly or indirectly to wetland loss. There is even less awareness of how these problems can be addressed. This campaign - essentially of an awareness and facilitatory nature, assists formal conservation agencies and non-governmental organisations with national, regional, or local programmes aimed at promoting wetland conservation in South Africa. The campaign will be directed at four principal audiences:- the general public, wetland owners and communities, school children, and the various agencies responsible for wetland legislation and protection.

Previous | Contents | Next