De Beers Group has donated the land it owns in the Namaqua National Park to the South African National Parks (SANParks).
The 34 667 hectares of the Succulent Karoo between the Groen and Spoeg River has been managed by SANParks as an extension of the Namaqua National Park since 2008.
The donation of this unspoilt land commits this area to the national protected area network for the shared benefit of all South Africans, in celebration of the SANParks Week which took place in September.
Now in its 18th year, the SANParks Week, which is aimed at creating awareness around conversation issues, is aligned to De Beers’ Building Forever sustainability pillar of Protecting the Natural World. De Beers stated that the company believes in restoring and protecting biodiversity, and that it has the potential to unlock a range of sustainable benefits for society.
The incorporation of this land supported the protection of unique biodiversity within the Succulent Karoo biome, the world’s only arid biodiversity hotspot.
Moses Madondo, managing director of De Beers Managed Operations, said De Beers is committed to protecting nature and its awe-inspiring creations.
Since 2008 SANParks has made several developments to the land and surrounding communities, which include employing 11 people, constructing 12 camp sites with environmentally friendly facilities, six staff houses, an office building, walkways, hiking trails, bird hides, ablutions and upgrading of the fence.
According to Northern Cape Tourism, during early August and September one will find a multiplicity of colour weaves across the valley floor which spills over to the sandy coastline of the park.
Throughout the year, walking can be enjoyed in the park, and with 3 500 plant species (of which a thousand are found nowhere else on earth) there is much to appreciate in this rich floral kingdom.
Animals found in the park include leopard and caracal, as well as springbok, porcupine, baboon and jackal.
Seals and other sea creatures pass through the marine reserve section of the park, while birders will also be delighted with the variety of birds found.
