Garden Route park needs your input

KNYSNA NEWS - The picturesque 175 000-hectare Garden Route National Park (GRNP) consists of the previously proclaimed Tsitsikamma and Wilderness national parks, the Knysna Lakes Area, as well as the indigenous forest and fynbos areas previously managed by the Department of Forestry.

The GRNP initiated stakeholder meetings last week to develop a "desired state" as part of its management plan review.

The desired state sets out the strategic direction for the park and consists of a mission and high-level objectives to help achieve it.

A National Park management plan encourages a shared vision of managing for both current and future generations.

The objective of a management plan is to ensure the protection, conservation and management of the protected area in a manner consistent with the objectives of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act.

Workshops were held in Tsitsikamma, Knysna and Wilderness respectively.

There is a possibility of another workshop to discuss the desired state, to allow those stakeholders who could not make it to the first three meetings to attend. After that, more focus group meetings will be conducted from July onwards.

There is a possibility of another workshop to discuss the desired state, to allow those stakeholders who could not make it to the first three meetings to attend.

Workshops have been held with various stakeholders and the public on the future of the Wilderness, Tsitsikamma and Knysna sections of the Garden Route National Park, and more such sessions are on the cards for parties who have missed out. Photos: Supplied

Register to take part
All members of the public, organisations, stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to register online.