01 February 2024
MEDIA STATEMENT : VARIOUS CONTRIBUTING FACTORS DESTROYING WETLANDS IN THE NORTHERN CAPE
Various factors such as using wetlands as dumping sides, over-abstraction and killing wetland plants are some of the contributing factors destroying them in the Northern Cape.
This as the challenges of Wetlands will once again be on the spotlight when the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, will be joining the World to celebrate World Wetlands Day on 02 February 2024.
The World Wetlands Day is being celebrated annually – to raise awareness about the significant role they play to both people and planet.
This year’s theme is “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing” urges us to take action now.
The theme challenges all to value, manage and love our wetlands – to stop killing them for our future generations. It seeks to raise awareness and its contribution to both people and the planet. Wetlands are home to countless plants and animals that are part of delicate balance where water and land become one. Thus about 40% world species (plants and animals) live in wetlands.
The call focus on raising awareness on the three important pillars, namely – values and benefits of wetlands, as well as the responsibility of people to protect wetlands.
Wetlands are amongst the most productive ecosystem (natural units) in the world. South Africa is a water scarce country and many of our water sources are polluted - therefore wetlands play a vital role by filtering water to give us clean ones.
The fact that only one percent of the world’s water is suitable for human consumption it emphasizes the significant of wetlands. Furthermore, they have beautiful, cultural, recreational, tourism and add economical value.
Wetlands are able to reduce the harshness of droughts and floods by serving as a buffer that stores water during climate disaster. This as both droughts and floods are common.
Currently the status of wetlands in South Africa remains a worrying factor hence action must be taken to stop this killing of them (wetlands).
Thus, the Department making a plea to Local Government, businesses, community members, learners and all role players to partner work together to prevent further loss of wetlands and restore those that have been lost.
Our wetlands in South Africa are facing a serious challenge due to human interference and the poor management thereof.
Seven ways to destroy wetlands;
- Using wetlands as dumping site for our waste,
- Overgrazing,
- Over-abstraction of water,
- Over harvesting of wetland resources,
- Killing wetland plants and animals,
- Poor agricultural methods,
- Different types of pollution.
World Wetlands Day is being celebrated since 1971 by different countries including South Africa to reaffirm the protection and love for wetlands and lead to the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands.
South Africa has signed a Treaty that provides a framework for the National Action and International Cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. END
Mr Bongani Silingile – Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC
Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs,
Rural Development and Land Reform
Cell: 082 675 1841
Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://daerl.ncpg.gov.za/