Problem Statement

The Waterberg is characterised by abundant biodiversity consisting of valuable, important, endemic, and endangered species. At a landscape level, there are insufficient levels of protection both for species and area status, thus hindering conservation initiatives and enabling criminal activity. Diverse demographics, land use, and socio-economic priorities exacerbated by inadequate communication and coordination creates disharmony and increases the burden on overstretched resources reducing the effectiveness of area integrity benefits, especially safety and security.

Various technologies have proven effective in deterring and facilitating the apprehension of potential criminals. There is, however a shortage of these technology devices across the greater Waterberg. There is also insufficient community engagement and coordinated initiatives that include the broader community.

The risks to biodiversity and the sustainability of protected and conservation areas (such as environmental crime, diminishing water quality and quantity,  and impacts of development) largely originate due to unsustainable economic development. However, the environment and biodiversity form the basic building blocks of any economy.

Degraded, exploited and under-valued environmental resources will all impact  the local economy. This is especially true for the Waterberg where the economy  is largely based on nature-based resources, with few other options. These risks are increasing over time, driven by climate change and socio-economic pressure linked to poverty and unemployment constantly increasing pressures on natural areas and biodiversity.

The Waterberg has largely intact biodiversity and ecological processes. It is also a known tourism destination and includes an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a Ramsar wetland and a World Heritage Site. It has a range of landscapes and attractions and already has a well-developed biodiversity  economy.

There is little long term sustainable financing for either conservation or community work. There is the constant threat of environmental crime, especially rhino and pangolin poaching. Human-wildlife conflicts still occur, mostly with predator species. Unemployment remains high and there are difficulties for rural communities to access conservation and biodiversity economy. The area’s biodiversity is also relatively under studied and undervalued.

However, set between the strengths and the challenges of the area, there are potential opportunities that through collaborative approaches could bring investment and benefits for people and the environment, such as the further development of nature-based tourism, increasing the reach of environmental education, increasing research and biodiversity knowledge, especially through citizen science, as well as promotion and further development of the biodiversity economy. These would allow the conservation potential of the area to be enhanced as well as strengthen livelihoods and rural economies.