The Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment has gazetted a notice calling for input by 17 March 2024 on proposals for exempting the South African National Parks from environmental authorisation requirements under the National Environmental Management Act, 1998. The notice has been backdated to 16 February 2024 but was only published three days later.
It is envisaged that the exemption would be specific to the Kruger National Park and subject to compliance with requirements outlined in the park’s generic environmental management programme and code of conduct.
The exemption would apply to activities associated with infrastructure projects, maintenance, conservation and rehabilitation. It would not apply to activities requiring atmospheric emission or waste management licences.
Published by SA Legal Academy Policy Watch