Table Mountain

Table Mountain. Image: Heinrich Botha/Pixabay

French connection: R20m biodiversity boost for Table Mountain National Park

A partnership between South Africa and France will see R20 million granted to biodiversity conservation in Table Mountain National Park.

Table Mountain

Table Mountain. Image: Heinrich Botha/Pixabay

An agreement between South African National Parks (SANParks) and Agence Fraçaise de Développement (AFD)  was signed on 30 May with over R30 million in French funding being made available to boost biodiversity between the two countries.

The partnership between South Africa and France was agreed to in 2019 which led to €1.85 million (R30 million) in financial support from AFD. Of that amount, €1.2 million (R20 million) will be given to SANParks.

PARTNERSHIP TO BRING BIODIVERSITY BOOST

The partnership will see funding being allocated to support sharing experiences between the Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town and the Reunion Island National Park on the island of Reunion in France to preserve the biodiversity in the two countries.

According to Cape Town ETC, SANParks CEO Dr Luthando Dziba said the partnership aims to:

  • Focus on territory-to-territory co-operation between the two parks;
  • Develop strategic plans and sharing tools for invasive species management;
  • Focus on vulnerable species management as well as fire management;
  • Climate change preparation and training;
  • Contribute expertise and collaborate on improving park management; and
  • Mobilise partner research bodies, including the University of Réunion, Cirad and the University of Cape Town.

TABLE MOUNTAIN: CONSERVATION CHALLENGES

According to IOL, Table Mountain National Park covers 25 000ha of natural areas located in the heart of Cape Town and stretching to the tip of the Cape of Good Hope. 

Both Reunion Island National Park and Table Mountain National Park face similar management and conservation challenges, as well as both parks are situated primarily in urban areas and are therefore exposed to various threats to the fauna and flora. As both parks are booming tourist attractions, each face a high volume of tourists. 

WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS

France is set to host the World Conservation Congress in 2021 with biodiversity conservation as a priority.

“France will host the World Conservation Congress in 2021. Through this exemplary regional co-operation project, France is providing concrete support for the preservation of biodiversity in southern Africa and the Indian Ocean,” said French ambassador to South Africa, Aurélien Lechevallier, according to IOL.

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