31 January 2003

The Verloren Valei wetland in Mpumalanga will get international recognition on Saturday when it is presented with a Ramsar site certificate.

Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Valli Moosa will present the certificate to Mpumalanga's agriculture, conservation and environment MEC Candith Mashego as part of World Wetlands Day celebrations.

Verloren Valei Nature Reserve outside Dullstroom is South Africa's 17th addition to the Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance and the first Ramsar site in Mpumalanga, said departmental spokesperson JP Louw.

"Hosting the World Wetlands Day event here will further contribute to boosting the profile of tourism and wetland conservation efforts in the province", Louw said.

The Ramsar Convention of 1971 aims to safeguard wetlands worldwide, recognising that wetlands are vital to preserving the quality and quantity of the planet's water.

Wetlands can save governments a fortune in water purification and flood damage control. They reduce the severity of drought by regulating stream flow, they cleanse and purify water by allowing UV light to kill bacteria, and they provide a habitat for many flora and fauna.

Despite this, over 50% of South Africa’s wetlands have been destroyed, exacerbating water scarcity problems and halving habitats for various endangered species.

The theme of World Wetlands Day this year is "No wetlands, no water", and coincides with the United Nations' declaration of 2003 as the International Year of Freshwater.

The recent World Summit on Sustainable Development revealed that 1.1 billion people worldwide don't have access to safe fresh water, while another 1.7 billion people live in water-scarce areas

Source: BuaNews