- SANParks has launched Vision 2040, an initiative aimed at promoting inclusivity, social justice, and economic growth through conservation efforts.
- The plan seeks to expand conservation lands and integrate local communities into the process.
- Vision 2040 also aligns with global biodiversity goals, positioning South Africa at the forefront of sustainable conservation practices.
South African National Parks (SANParks) has unveiled Vision 2040, a bold and ambitious initiative that intends to align conservation more decisively to redress and advance shared economic growth in ways that can tangibly change lives.
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh delivered the keynote address in a virtual launch event at the Cape Town Lodge on Thursday 26 September.
According to SANParks, this model of conservation will promote social justice and inclusivity by guaranteeing that all communities, particularly the disadvantaged and marginalised, have fair and equitable access to opportunities and resources.
Vision 2040 is an inspiring and visionary strategy that re-imagines the future of conservation and the institutional fitness of SANParks.
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“This long-term plan envisions a nation where nature and people thrive together, creating a harmonious and sustainable future for all.
“Vision 2040 aims to ensure that every South African has a stake in conservation, with tangible benefits that improve livelihoods and create opportunities.
“In seeking to realise this future, there will be a need to examine if SANParks in its current organisational form and as the country’s leading conservation agency will be able to enable Vision 2040,” SANParks said in a statement.
Singh congratulated the board and management of SANParks as he supported the intended approach of implementing Vision 2040 through the rollout of Mega Living Landscapes (MLL).
MLLs are essentially massive, interconnected areas that are set to break the myth that conservation is solely the playground of scientists and environmentalists.
All invited
Ordinary South Africans, the youth to be specific, are invited to find their place within Vision 2040. In MLL protected areas will no longer be isolated islands but interconnected to their surrounding communities.
This approach will foster co-existence, inclusivity, and sustainable development ensuring that most South Africans participate in conservation efforts.
The journey to Vision 2040 began in 2022 when SANParks embarked on an unprecedented consultation process throughout the country.
These included engagements with communities neighbouring national parks, visitors to national parks, traditional leaders, employees, conservationists, traditional healers, women, scientists and youth organisations.
These inputs shaped a shared vision for the future of conservation in South Africa as encapsulated in Vision 2040. The visionary strategy is also part of South Africa’s response to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s goal of conserving 30% of the world’s terrestrial, inland water, coastal, popularly referred to as the 30 x 30.
In South Africa, this means expanding conservation lands by an additional 14 million hectares as the nation creates a vast network of interconnected, ecologically vibrant areas.
Singh challenged SANParks to reconvene annually to report back on the Vision 2040 commitments made.
In response to this call, SANParks will embed the strategy in its plans and integrate it as part of its performance reporting.
