Johannesburg - South Africa is committed to conservation because it contributes significantly to socio-economic development of the poor and rural communities, says President Jacob Zuma.
“The sustainable use of the country’s indigenous biological resources is fundamental to the development of South Africa’s economy and social transformation,” President Zuma said on Saturday.
He was addressing delegates at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg.
South Africa’s wildlife contributes immensely to the Gross Democratic Product (GDP) through the tourism sector, which is anchored in the main on nature-based tourism with the Big Five.
“This is a big job creator in our country. We preserve these animals because we are proud of our heritage, and because they generate much-needed revenue,” President Zuma said.
He said South Africa’s successful conservation record has saved important species, such as the black and white rhino, elephant, bontebok and Cape Mountain Zebra from near extinction in the past century.
Furthermore, South Africa is already running a successful green and ocean economy programmes, as well as a biodiversity economy linked directly to the bio-prospecting and wildlife sectors.
“What we are doing is in line with the continental strategy, Agenda 2063, which recognises the important role that natural resources play in Africa’s development and socio-economic transformation,” President Zuma said.
Law enforcement agencies tackle illegal trade
South Africa’s law enforcement agencies are continuing to work hard to break the illicit value chain of wildlife trafficking in the country and beyond.
“We have worked hard and our security strategy has resulted in a visible reduction in the number of rhinos poached in 2016,” President Zuma said.
He said the illegal trade in wildlife, including poaching, presents significant challenges and threats to the environment, including undermining the potential benefits arising from legal trade that contributes significantly to socio-economic upliftment and development.
Global governance
President Zuma said global governance is critical for conservation to succeed.
“This can only happen if we have a transparent and fair system that allows governments to meet their development imperatives which are intertwined with the sustainable use of species, which will be addressed in the coming days.
“Levels of exploitation of some animal and plant species are high and the trade is capable of heavily depleting their populations and even bringing some species close to extinction,” he said.
President Zuma said the existence of an agreement to ensure the sustainability of the trade is important in order to safeguard these resources for the future.
“It is critical for governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
“Regulations must ensure that trade of Rhinos for example, or wild ginger is in a way that ensures that future generations continue to benefit from them, and that they do not become extinct,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
