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THE WORLD'S WETLANDS: CREATING JOBS AND SAVING WATER
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Valli Moosa, emphasised the important of South African Wetlands, today on the 2nd January 2001 at the 30th Anniversary of the Signing of the Ramsar Convention. Speaking at Rietvlei Nature Reserve near Pretoria, Minister Moosa said, " Wetlands provide a range for benefits of high value to humans, form the ever diminishing supply of water to habitat for the rarest animals and plant species". Wetlands provide food to many communities in the form of fish and the plants may be used as food, building material, fuel, medicines and animal fodder"
South Africa is a founding member of the Ramsar Convention and has maintained its commitment to the spirit of the Convention. In playing its rightful role, our country through a partnership initiative between the Departments of Water Affairs and Environmental Affairs have engaged on a programme for the rehabilitation of the wetlands as well as the conservation of this heritage. The partnership has already generated R18 million worth of job creation projects for the 2000/1 financial year.
This year's anniversary is celebrated amidst great success of a pioneer rehabilitation project for the Rietvlei Nature Reserve which besides enhancing the biodiversity of the reserve will contribute immensely to the safeguarding of the water supply of the City of Tshwane. The Minister also announced that the 18 million rands spend on rehabilitation work of wetlands will be increased to 30 million rands in the new financial year. This will provide jobs, skills and opportunities for the poor and disadvantaged and raise awareness about the Wetlands.
Despite this joyous celebration, Mr. Moosa also highlighted the major threat posed to our wetlands. He said: "Being a dynamic system, direct and Indirect human activity has altered the rate of the change of wetlands. This ranges form overgrazing, indiscriminate use of pesticides as well as large scale indiscriminate fishing and this has led to an estimated 50% loss of South African Wetlands."
Enquiries: Onkgopotse J J Tabane, 082 465 6166
Issued by the Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, 2 February 2001