PROGRAMME 4: FORESTRY

Mr M PETERDirector: Forestry

Technical and Information Services

DEPARTMENT: WATER AFFAIRS & FORESTRY

Annual Report 2006/2007

FORESTRY

Portfolio Committee: Water & Forestry

October 2007

BROAD-BASED BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

Target:

Approved BBBEE charter developed and implemented in partnership with the sector

Achieved:

• Charter agreed with sector in March 2007• Progress on BBBEE Charter User Guide

and companion document.• Consultation schedule for Indaba in May 2007

prepared.• Liaison with DEAT and SANParks to

participate in the Charter• Charter incorporates DTI/DWAF forestry

growth and expansion initiatives

Challenges:

• Agreement and timeframes with other stakeholders and other departments in particular for implementation

ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

Target:

Existing and potential economic

opportunities developed to contribute to

BBBEE

Achieved:

• Launched 7 new and supported other existing projects.

• 1266 participants in the projects (60% of whom are women)

• Developed business concept on eco-tourism potential at Ngome.

• Essential oils study to be finalized in the first quarter of 2007/8.

• Baseline study on Amathole and Thathe Vondo forest

• The MoU for FED intervention between LIBSA, DWAF and FSA (Vhembe and Mopane small growers)

• Negotiated MoUs with IKSSA and SANBI (role of forests in supplying medicinal plants esp. RDB)

Challenges:

• Funding (securing and disbursing) for FED

AFFORESTATION

Targets:

• Phase 2 Eastern Cape SEA completed• Set of afforestation potential maps in final

province• Increased levels of community-based

afforestation• Time taken for processing SFRA licences

reduced

Achieved:

• Finalised SEA in Eastern Cape.• Prepared maps of forest resources for

Premier of KZN.• Initiated process to identify afforestation

potential in other provinces.• Afforestation maps produced for DMs in

WMA 12 (EC).• Eastern Cape government established

Asgi-SA company to inter alia address new afforestation.

• Applications received for 5500ha compared to 800ha in 2005

• Licence application time decreasing in Eastern Cape

Challenges:

• Land tenure issues posing challenges in larger applications

SFM OF CAT B+C PLANTATIONS

Targets:

• 20 % decrease in TUPs• Fire damage limited to max of 1% of the

estate • Productivity increased by 5%• Management of state plantations using

C+Is for SFM

Achieved:

• 2843 ha or 18% decrease in TUP

• 5% increase in productivity

• Self-audits using C+Is done extensively on estates

Challenges:

• 51% vacancies

• Most vacancies are in management and general worker level

• Funding for rehabilitation

• Fire – due to loss of 9115 ha of plantations to fire the TUP increased

TRANSFER OF STATE FORESTS

Targets:

• Conclude stakeholder agreement for transfer of M+M

• Delegation or assignment agreements in place with relevant agents for natural forests

• Finalize release of land at St Lucia to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

Achieved:

• Agreement on M+M endorsed by stakeholders

• Assignment agreement and Presidential

proclamations for EC and WC completed• 98 000 ha released to Ezemvelo KZN

Wildlife• Over 450 000 ha released to SANParks

Challenges:

• Ensuring that the transfer of KLF maximises the BBBEE opportunities

• Payment of lease rentals• Establishment of Trust

VELD AND FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT

Targets:

• Establishment of all FPAs in priority fire risk areas

• Veldfire management strategies effectively implemented by FPAs

• Capacity building for registered FPAs supported

• NVFFA compliance strategy implemented• Negotiations cross border fires initiated

Achieved:

• Registered 80 FPAs and fire management implementation strategies

• Conducted M&E of 24 registered FPAs (NC,NW, EC,KZN and FS)

• Approximately 150 Stakeholders including FPOs, Chief Fire Officers and Local Government officials trained

• Several meetings to conclude MoUs with Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho and dates secured for meetings with Botswana and Namibia

Challenges:

• Technical problems with system

NFDRS

Thank you