PROGRAMME 4: FORESTRY

PROGRAMME 4: FORESTRY Mr M PETER Director: 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 processto 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

PROGRAMME 4: FORESTRY