100 000 hectares (ha) of afforestation potential land in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal as identified by the Forest Sector Charter of 2009.
22 000ha of land identified for recommissioning (or replanting) in the Western Cape.
4000 of land identified for recommissioning (or replanting) in Mpumalanga.
21 000ha of temporary unplanted areas of the plantations currently managed by the Department.
2.1 Western Cape Recommissioning
The strategy for recommissioning was approved and the implementation has commenced. The strategy has two phases:
Phase 1
The 22 000ha has been divided into 5 commercially viable packages and will be advertised as such.
The process to ensure that bids are advertised and new owners of these businesses are identified will be as follows:
Phase 2
To enter into a Service Level Agreement with MTO Forestry Pty Ltd to manage all the land on behalf of the Department for a period of two years. This interim arrangement will ensure that while the tender process is being implemented, land is managed to reduce risks such as fires. The Service Level Agreement (SLA) has been drafted and will be sent to Legal Services for ratification.
2.2 Reduction of 21000 hectors of temporarily unplanted areas
The Department is currently exploring different funding models ranging from use of funding institutions and use of own budget. The Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency will be approached to assist with funding for (Temporary Unplanted Areas (TUP) reduction in the Eastern Cape. In the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) area, (Tembe, Mbila and Mabaso communities (TMM) in partnership with the Department is assisting with the reduction of the temporary unplanted areas. The Department is further exploring the possibility of establishing a Forestry Development Fund to cater for funding requirements in the entire value chain
2.3 Hundred thousand hectares identified by the Forestry Charter
The hundred thousand hectares identified in the 2009 for afforestation will be planted in partnership with communities, private forestry companies and the Department in a phased manner which will also be determined by the number of water use licences issued and the Environmental Impact Assessment conducted in areas to be planted.
3. Available statistical details relating to the work of my department on Forestry in line with the APAP is covered through answer 2 above.