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Ref: 02/1/5/2
MINISTER
QUESTION NO. 2539 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
A draft reply to Mr N J J van R Koornhof (Cope) to the above-mentioned
question is enclosed for your consideration.
Ms Nosipho Ngcaba
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DATE:
DRAFT REPLY APPROVED/AMENDED
MRS B E E MOLEWA, MP
MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
DATE:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
(For written reply)
QUESTION NO. 2539
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 27 NW2961E
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 02 September 2011
Mr N J J van R Koornhof (Cope) to ask the Minister of Water and
Environmental Affairs:
a) Whether there is a financial backlog regarding the management of
conservation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what
(a) is the current backlog and (b) measures have been put in place to
ensure that the backlog is eliminated?
b) Secure adequate financial resources to meet sector objectives based on
a sound understanding of the costs of implementation of environmental
legislation at all spheres of government. Increase own sources of
revenue from the increased implementation of the polluter pays
principle through user charges and other mechanisms.
Mr N J J van R Koornhof (Cope)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS
2539. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
a) Yes, The National Biodiversity Framework costing exercise undertaken
in 2009 suggested a total funding shortfall of approximately R 3.4
billion (47%). A study into management effectiveness of protected
areas, undertaken during 2009/10 estimated the minimum conservation
costs to 30% aggregate underfunding, largely because provincial
environment departments have to compete with other critical functions
such as health, education and social welfare.
b) i) due to the fact that nature conservation is a concurrent
competence, provinces have been encouraged to engage their treasuries
and motivate for additional funding as well as explore innovative
mechanisms of generating their own revenue in order to minimise their
reliance on state funding
ii) South African National Parks (SANParks) has developed a
commercialisation strategy in order to enhance its revenue generation
capacity and has stepped up its efforts at fundraising in order to
tap into external funding.
iii) Additional funding has been secured over the years by the
Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) for all its public entities
as evidenced by growth in budget allocations.
iv) The department continues to engage National Treasury for additional
budget in particular for land acquisition and infrastructure
development and maintenance.
v) Development of a business case for biodiversity conservation is
underway coordinated by DEA and South African National Biodiversity
Institute (SANBI) jointly.
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