LOCAL BOARDS
LOCAL BOARDS
Legislation empowering KZN Wildlife also provides for a new and unique system of allowing
neighbouring and business communities to become involved in the management of the formally
protected areas of KwaZulu-Natal according to the management plans of each reserve.
Called the "Local Conservation Boards" - an idea that stemmed from the "People and Parks -
Parks and People" symposium, the new system gives legal substance to the neighbour relations and
community conservation programmes run by the predecessors of KZN Wildlife - the Natal Parks Board
and the KwaZulu Directorate of Nature Conservation. This confirms the commitment of KwaZulu-Natal
to a partnership in which conservation and people contributed to, and benefited from, the natural
resources of the province.
In terms of the KwaZulu-Natal Conservation Management Act of 1997, the KZN Minister charged
with the Nature Conservation portfolio may establish local boards for protected areas or a group of
protected areas.
Q:In which areas will Local Boards be established.
A:Four major protected areas have been identified to initiate the establishment of
Local Boards as pilot projects.
- Tembe and Ndumo involving the Tribal Authorities of Tembe and Mathenjwa.
- The central section of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park involving the Tribal Authorities of the
AmaNgwe, Mhungweni, AmaHlubi, Abambo, Insonga, Mkhize and Thendele.
- The Coastal Forest Reserve involving the Tribal Authorities of the Tembe and Mbila.
- The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park involving the Tribal Authorities of the Mdletshe, Mpembeni, Hlabisa,
Mpukunyoni, Zungu, Mandhlakazi, Ximba, Obuka, Somopho and Mhlana.
The largest areas were chosen but others will follow.
Q:What are the objectives of Local Boards
A:Local Boards are set up to:
- promote local decision-making regarding the management of nature conservation and heritage
resources within protected areas.
- to promote the integration of the activities of the protected area into that of the surrounding
area.
Q:How will Local Boards be established.
A:The public will be invited to participate through a public process calling for
the nomination of persons to be appointed as a member of a Local Board. Members will be drawn
from:
- Formally constituted organisations/institutions.
- Tribal authorities.
- Formal agriculture.
- Regional tourism.
- Business sector.
- Regional & Town councils.
- Local authorities.
- Environmental groups.
- Special interest groups.
Q:Who will appoint members to Local Boards.
A:The Minister of Agriculture and Environment Affairs, Mr Narend Singh, in
consultation with the KZN Nature Conservation Board and by notice in the Gazette, will appoint
persons as members of such a Local Board.
Q:What is the relationship between the Nature Conservation Board, KZN Wildlife and
the Local Board.
A:The Nature Conservation Board is the authority which directs nature conservation
in the Province.
KZN Wildlife is the implementing agency. Local Boards are independent, but work within the
framework of the Boards policies and are supported by KZN Wildlife.
Q:Who will be excluded from being nominated
A:A person who is a member of the national or provincial parliament;
an official/employee contemplated in the Public Service Act of 1994;
an unrehabilitated insolvent;
a person declared by a court to be of unsound mind.
Q:How will the Local Boards function.
A:Local Boards will hold regular meetings, the frequency, date, time and place to
be determined by the boards. The quorum for a meeting shall be the majority of the total number of
members appointed at that time. Decisions will be made by majority.
Should there be a tie in votes, the chairperson shall have a casting vote in addition to
his/her deliberation vote. At its discretion, Local Boards may allow members of the public,
including the media, to attend meetings.
Q:What are the powers of Local Boards.
A:In consultation with KZN Wildlife , a Local Board shall compile and implement
management plans in respect of protected area/s for which such a Local Board was appointed.
Any amendment to a management plan shall not be implemented until the Nature Conservation
Board has approved such amendment.
Through the process of compiling a management plan, understanding of nature conservation of
board members and staff alike will be enhanced. Promotion of the development needs of people living
in or adjacent to the protected areas including the implementation of the community levy.
Q:What are the criteria for members of Local Boards.
A:Members serve on the Local Board for a period of no more than three years. On
the expiry of such term of office, the individual is eligible for reappointment.
A member who has any direct/indirect interest which precludes him/her from performing his/her
functions in a fair, unbiased and proper manner, he/she shall absent himself/herself from any such
participatory proceedings.
Q:Can a member resign from a Local Board.
A:A member may at any time resign his/her appointment upon giving 14 (fourteen)
days written notice to the Head of the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs.
Q:Who elects the chairperson and the deputy.
A:Members elect a chairperson and deputy. Should the chairperson's post become
vacant, the deputy chairperson is empowered to carry out the chairperson's duties.
Should both posts become vacant simultaneously, the members will appoint another member from
the Local Board to act as chairperson.
Q:Will members of Local Boards receive any remuneration for their appointment.
A:The Minister must in consultation with the Minister of Finance, determine the
conditions of appointment of Local Boards, including any allowances payable.
Q:If Local Boards have no control over KZN Wildlife staff, how will decisions be
implemented.
A:Decisions must be in accordance with the management plan and Nature Conservation
Board policy.
If consensus on an action cannot be reached on a Local Board decision then the matter would
be referred to the Nature Conservation Board for further consideration.
Q:Will there be Nature Conservation staff appointed to the Local Board.
A:There will be one employee of KZN Wildlife appointed to the Local Board. This
would be an ex-officio appointee not on a personal level.
Other specialist staff will be in attendance to support the functioning of the Local
Board.
Q:Do Local Boards submit an annual report, and if so, To who.
A:The Local Board must submit a report at the end of each financial year to the
Nature Conservation Board.
The report is based on activities of that Local Board for the 12-month period.
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