Grassland gets due attention

It is estimated that the grassland of Mpumalanga provide sheep with natural grazing to annually produce more than eight-million kilograms in wool. Yet, these, described as the province’s most-used and pressured landscape by the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Dedet), are under threat.

In an effort to create awareness about their significance to the local economy, Pinky Phosa, MEC for Dedet, has declared the last week in February as Provincial Grassland Week. “Our grassland and the ecosystem continue to be threatened,” she said. “I am delighted to announce that we are the trendsetters, since we are the first province in the country to declare this week.”

The Grassland Declaration holds that the economic heartland of South Africa is contained in the grassland, where the bulk of water needed to sustain human life is also produced.

By honouring the proclamation, Phosa’s department acknowledges that it provides environmental infrastructure and services essential for life, and necessary ecosystems infrastructure and environmental services required for economic development.

These biomes typically feature less than 10 per cent natural tree or shrub cover among naturally occurring grass and include the Lowveld bushveld. “Grassland on a whole already contribute beneficially to the Mpumalanga economy,” said the department.

According to John McAllister of the Mpumalanga Parks Board, the southern grassland of Mpumalanga provide a year-round water supply essential for the cooling of the power generators of the Highveld power stations. “Without this water, the coal-fields of the province would be unable to generate this power,” he wrote on the web page of the South African Water Crisis.

He added that the country’s grassland have a high, and virtually untapped ecotourism potential worth possibly as much as R60 million annually. In addition, the great bulk of South Africa’s mineral wealth lies under the surface of the grassland biome.

Dedet said it recognised that the province’s economy depended heavily on energy and mineral resources, biodiversity, agriculture, forestry and tourism as provided by grassland. “We believe that the Provincial Grassland Week will surely enhance cooperative governance and promote environmental sustainability within our beautiful grassland-covered Mpumalanga,” said Phosa.

“We, therefore, encourage all stakeholders to support this initiative by partnering with us in creating awareness in their local areas about the importance of grassland.”