Pretoria - The Department of Environmental Affairs has received more than 100 applications from non-governmental organisations, non-profit organisations and individuals seeking registrations of their awareness-raising projects and fundraising initiatives in the fight against rhino poaching.
This follows a public call made by the department for the registration of all rhino-related funders and anti-poaching ventures to register as part of the creation of a national database of organisations involved in the industry.
This was aimed at allowing for monitoring of fund raising operations, activities and uses of the funds raised.
NGOs, NPOs, businesses and individuals involved in fighting rhino poaching were required to register with the department by 30 September 2013.
The department said the initiative was one of numerous steps being taken to rid the sector of illegitimate and ill-intended operations and ensure greater legitimacy of organisations and individuals involved in projects aimed at addressing rhino poaching.
The establishment of a national database and a credible national financing mechanism for rhino anti-poaching, were agreed to by government and rhino stakeholders during a public engagement in July 2013.
“During the stakeholder engagement, the department was informed by more than 20 NGOs and NPOs about the work that they do to fight the scourge of rhino poaching. Numerous industry roleplayers raised concerns about the legitimacy of organisations involved in fighting rhino poaching, and some of the projects, particularly fundraising,” the department explained.
In an effort to coordinate anti-poaching initiatives and in response to the recommendation of the Rhino Issue Management (RIM) process, the department said it is planning to establish a National Rhino Fund in consultation with the National Treasury and other affected role players. The fund will support interventions directed to rhino poaching.
“The establishment of the National Rhino Fund and the compilation of a database of all NGOs, NPOs and any other organisations and/ or individuals who raise funds to save the rhino are among the recommendations being implemented following the adoption of the RIM Report by Cabinet earlier this year.
“The National Rhino Fund will result in the consolidation of all funding requirements and ensure that funding is distributed successfully to state-and privately-owned rhino anti-poaching initiatives, including conservation, safety and security, skills development and research.” – SAnews.gov.za
