The Swaziland Environment Action Plan (SEAP)

Contents | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8

3.1 The Economy | 3.2 People | 3.3 Land | 3.4 Water Sector | 3.5 Biodiversity | 3.6 Agriculture | 3.7 Forestry | 3.8 Manufacturing | 3.9 Tourism | 3.10 Mining | 3.11 Fuel and Energy

3.0 SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

3.5 Biodiversity

3.5.1 Fauna

Although Swaziland was once well-endowed with a large variety of animal wildlife, including the elephant and the lion (which are part of the national emblem), primarily as a result of habitat destruction, and also because of hunting, most of the country's largest mammal species have become extinct in the wild. There is still a wide diversity of bird life. The latest bird atlas (Parker, ) lists 489 species, but they are also being diminished largely through habitat destruction, hunting, and poisoning by toxic chemicals.

Approximately only 4% of Swaziland's total land area is protected. This is well below the internationally recommended 10%. The main existing fauna reserves are:

• Malolotja;
• Mlawula;
• Hawane;
• Mantenga Nature Reserves (under the Swaziland National Trust Commission);
• Hlane Game Sanctuary (Royal game reserve);
• Mlilwane;
• Mkaya;
• Simunye;
• Mbuluzi Nature Reserves (private reserves)
• Phophonyane and Mhlosinga Nature Reserves (private, but as yet unproclaimed, reserves),

3.5.2 Flora

Swaziland has a wide diversity of flora. About 2,600 species of social, economic and cultural importance have been collected and recorded. It also has numerous endemic plant species which only occur in Swaziland. The main vegetation types are savannah, grasslands, forest, and bush (see Map No. ).

Natural processes, e.g. erosion, and human activities, i.e. agriculture, forest plantations, and human settlements, are causing a decrease in the diversity and distribution of Swaziland's natural flora. Large-scale irrigated agriculture, particularly monoculture agriculture such as sugar cane, pineapple and citrus production has resulted in clearing of large tracts of land and destruction of the natural vegetation. This in turn, results in loss of the animals and insects which depend on it.

A major threat to indigenous species is the encroachment of alien woody species. The principal ones are: the guava (Psidium guajava) widely found in the highveld and upper middleveld areas; lantana (Lantana camara) widely spread in the middleveld, particularly along major water courses; Mauritius thorn (Caesalpinia decapetala) which is reducing grazing potential in the Northern RDA; and wattle (Acacia mearnsii, A. decurrens, A. dealbata) the most widespread alien found widely throughout the highveld.

A list of flora reserves and protection-worthy areas has been proposed by the National Herbarium.

3.5.3 Environmental Issues Related to Wildlife

(1) Ignorance: There is a general lack of awareness about the value of conservation, which leads to insufficient human and financial resources being made available for its promotion.

(2) Conflicts with local communities: Presently, local people are denied or restricted in the use of resources within conservation areas. Since there is increasing demand for land, this is greatly resented.

(3) Lack of resources: Staff employed in conservation have a minimum of training and there is a shortage of equipment and facilities.

(4) Support: There is insufficient government interest and support in developing parks and nature reserves. Consequently their management suffers.

(5) Outdated, conflicting, and fragmented legislation: The legislation pertaining to Biodiversity Conservation, much of which needs revision and updating, is as follows:

(6) Alien plant control: There is uncontrolled spread of alien species along water courses and other habitats, resulting in excessive water use and exclusion of indigenous species through competition.

(7) Indigenous knowledge systems: There appears to be an exclusion of traditional knowledge and practices from present management activities.

(8) Pollution: Pollution through industry, agriculture, mining, urban waste, etc. is causing a decrease of fish populations and other species.

(9) Resource inventories: There is a lack of baseline information on which to base appropriate biodiversity measures.

(10) Ex-situ conservation: Swaziland is presently lacking adequate facilities, equipment and suitably trained staff to collect, catalogue and store seed to develop appropriate genetic material for cultivation and future use.

(11) Levels of protection: There is a lack of recognition for conservation management initiatives undertaken by private concerns, and current legislation does not recognize different levels of protection.

3.5.4 Policy

Status of Policy

Presently there is no Biodiversity Policy. However, a proposal for the development of a National Biodiversity Strategy and accompanying studies and activities has just been approved for funding by GTZ (a donor).

Broad Policy Objectives

A National Biodiversity Policy should have the following broad objectives:

• To restore and maintain the biological genetic resources;
• To utilize bio- and cultural diversity in sustainable ways in order to meet present and future needs;
• To preserve the unique ecosystems of Swaziland through an expanding network of carefully selected and well-managed reserves and parks, providing opportunities for recreation and income generation.

3.5.5 Priority Actions