SANParks to launch 2009 SA National Parks Week on 14 September

The country’s body charged with the management of national parks, South African National Parks (SANParks) will officially launch the 2009 SA National Parks Week (SANPW) in the Mopani camp of the Kruger National Park on Monday, 14 September 2009.

This according to SANParks, Chief Executive, Dr David Mabunda who said, SA National Parks Week offers an opportunity for all South Africans to experience their national parks and develop a sense of pride which culminates to renewed and improved efforts by all South Africans, towards taking care of the country’s conservation resources. “Through this project, we also aim at building stronger constituencies and ambassadors of conservation and the environment.”

The week-long celebration of free access to parks by South Africans will run from 14 to 20 September.

Dr Mabunda said the week will allow all South Africans free access to most national parks. This concept was launched in 2006, to encourage all South Africans to visit National Parks, out of the realisation that the majority of this country’s citizens were not accessing parks.

The objective of SANParks Week is to cultivate a culture of pride in all South Africans in their relationship with the country’s natural, cultural and historical heritage, under the established theme “Know Your National Parks” and the feature element of the project  is free access to all South African day visitors (especially people from communities around the parks) carrying an official Identity Document, while scholars and young persons under 16 years of age, will be allowed entry, without the requirement for proof of identity.

It should be noted that free access to parks will not include any of the commercially driven activities in parks, such as Open Safari guided tours, etc, as these are driven as commercial vehicles to ensure the sustainability of parks, with some run independently by commercial tour operators.

“The survival of the South African national parks system and our natural and cultural heritage lies in the people of South Africa and this year we are focusing on involving young people and communities, to cultivate a knowledge of the importance of conservation and an appreciation for the country’s natural heritage”, added Dr. Mabunda.

SA National Parks Week is an opportunity to showcase all national parks as key and affordable local holiday destinations, offering a unique experience, especially for families. We encourage all South Africans to take this opportunity to experience an encounter with wildlife.

The core objective of SA National Parks Week is to establish a partnership with all South Africans, towards creating a flagship international parks resource, which attracts both local and international interest, a product that we can conserve for future generations.

Related Stories

• SANParks appoints new Managing Executive for Kruger National Park
• SANParks responds on rhino sales and hunting in National Parks
• Investing in our natural parks is crucial – First National Bank
• Improved anti-poaching efforts yield results – SANParks
• SANParks names Kudu Awards 2009 Finalists

FREE  for 30 days

 Email This  Print This