GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment (MZCPE) was started in 2012 to maintain the current landscape's biodiversity, scenic and landscape value through collective action by private landowners.
The goal was to protect the area from detrimental developments and to protect and improve biodiversity between two national parks: Camdeboo National Park (Graaff-Reinet) and Mountain Zebra National Park (Cradock).
Protected environment and buffer zones
This initiative, then known as the Corridor Project, was launched by SANParks in partnership with the Wilderness Foundation and later the Global Environment Fund 5. The aim was to explore the possibility of declaring private land surrounding these national parks as a protected environment and buffer zones. The main focus was to protect the scenic characteristics of the parks and the Protected Environment itself, with special attention given to water catchment areas, natural priority areas, and view shed areas. Critically important biodiversity hotspots, such as the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany hotspot found in the high-altitude grasslands of the buffer zone, the Sneeuberg centre of floristic endemism, and the region's grasslands, were identified as essential to preserve.
Seven pillars
Their members are passionate individuals with diverse backgrounds, united by a shared vision of 'Conservation through Collaboration'.
The Protected Environment aims to develop across seven pillars:
• Biodiversity
• Socio-economic
• Cultural heritage protection
• Sustainable tourism
• Sustainable agriculture
• Bioregional management
• Effective management of the Protected Environment
More effective use of environment
These pillars lead to various projects that landowners are involved in, creating opportunities for more effective use and exposure of the Protected Environment.
The project has progressed significantly through two phases (phase 1 was 64 land-owners and 268 388ha declared in 2016, while phase two was a further 110 land-owners and 608 856ha declared in 2022) and now encompasses just over 877 000ha, with various landowners practising conservation and sustainable agriculture.
Aim to protect 1 million hectares
Located in the Great Karoo, this farming community is vast and diverse, where the natural and open spaces are grazed by sheep, cattle, Angora goats, Boer goats, and wildlife, alongside nature reserve management.
Every landowner has a story to tell, so come and visit them and stay in unique and often historical buildings perfectly upgraded for your comfort.
Phase 3 is currently in progress, and when completed, the MZCPE will include 200 landowners and cover a massive 1 million hectares, making it the largest protected environment in South Africa managed by private landowners.
Ability to preserve biodiversity
The value of this Protected Environment lies in its ability to preserve biodiversity, with alluring elements such as wide open spaces, silence, and serenity that are unique to the Great Karoo.
This area has been used in various forms by farmers in the past and the opportunity now exists to implement revised techniques and new endeavours to support current landowners - whether they are farmers, game ranchers, or conservation entities - in their efforts towards sustainable farming practices and biodiversity preservation.
This balance has significantly attracted many visitors to our unique area, creating numerous tourism experiences and opportunities.
For more information on this landscape, its people, and products, contact them via www.mzcpe.co.za or Ulrich Schutte at projectmanager@mzcpe.co.za or 066 238 6264.
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