About 76% (3240 ha) of the Drakensberg Mountain Forest is officially protected. The geographical location of South Africa is such that in the past it had a smaller extent of forests. Given the circumstances, there is a clear lack of confidence on the part of the community to assert its natural resource conservation priorities.
Research Introduction
- Problem Statement
- Overall Objective of the Study
- Specific Objectives
- Research Methods
- Research Study: Chapters’ Overview
The Ntabamhlophe Forest is located in the KwaZulu-Natal province of the Republic of South Africa (Figure 1). It also gives an account of the different types of forest products and resources used by the community and their values to the users.
Indigenous Forests: Significance, Threats, Pressures and
Indigenous Forests: A Threatened Resource Defined
The Significance of Indigenous Forests
- Environmental Significance of Indigenous Forests
- Socio-economic Values of Indigenous Forests
They contain at least two-thirds of the terrestrial species on Earth (World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development, 1999). Historically and traditionally, most of the indigenous forests in the Drakensberg have been used as burial grounds for the amaKhosi (traditional chiefs).
Indigenous Forests in Crisis – A Global Synopsis
Soil degradation linked to forest destabilization and its pervasive effects require full commitment at various levels; local, regional, national and international. Otherwise, the chances of successfully addressing the problems of land degradation that threaten our environment and food security will be seriously reduced in light of the growing threats and pressures that many parts of the world are experiencing.
Growing Threats and Pressures on Indigenous Forests
- Agricultural Practices
- Extractive Use of Forest
- Land Tenure
- Human Conflict
For those with the right to perform traditional and religious rites, this meant that they had ownership of the resources. A mistake that some conservation authorities have made is to try to transfer responsibility for conservation without any rights of use (McKean, 2005 personal communication). A lost resource is not cared for and has no value to humans.
Implications for Policy and Management
While there was a development opportunity; the community rejected the proposal on the basis that it was initiated by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (formerly the Natal Parks Board) and Traditional Authority (Thomson, 2006 pers. The development proposal was wrongly politicized by some members of the community, claiming that Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife wanted to take their land away.
South Africa: Threats to Indigenous Forests
- Human Induced Accelerated Soil Loss
- Fire Pattern and Frequency
- Invasive Alien Plants
- Fuelwood and Construction Material Harvesting
In terms of nutrient cycling, manual dead removal is likely to have minimal impact (Williams and Shackleton, 2002). Therefore, the impact of harvesting live wood would be more significant than harvesting dead wood.
South Africa: Protected Indigenous Forests
Regarding live wood, the primary mechanism for aboveground nutrient recovery is via leaf and twig litter during annual litterfall, not dead wood. However, it should be noted that dead wood and fallen trees are an essential habitat for a diverse range of fauna, including the endangered species such as Cape parrot.
KwaZulu-Natal: Indigenous Forests
- Management Status of Indigenous Forests in KwaZulu-Natal
It is believed that the implementation of a permit system in KwaZulu-Natal has contributed to forest conservation (Geldenhuys, 1991). Conservation organizations have contributed significantly to the survival of South Africa's forests, especially those on private land.
Focus Group Research Method
The advantages of using the focus group technique are the fact that the researcher (moderator) helps keep the group focused, recording group conversations and observing non-verbal communication and expressions. The research results of focus groups depend on the relevance of the method and the researcher's interaction with the community (Nabasa, 1995 and Welman et al., 2005). Focus group research helps researchers delve into local life to understand the perspectives of local people (Ottke et al., 2000).
Through discussions, the focus group provides environmental testimonies from local residents about environmentally harmful activities (Greenbaum, 1998).
Summary
With focus groups, reliability can be increased by comparing views or responses from other focus groups. However, the responses from the focus groups help to create a set of views of different stakeholders. However, this can be addressed by using wise counsel and other focus groups to validate the information.
The continuation of these activities unabated could pose a serious threat to the forest if continued at what are believed to be current, unsustainable, rates.
The Description of the Forest
Location
Seventy-five percent (75%) of the focus group said that the local community and households depend on the forest products. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the focus group considered the forest to have a very high aesthetic value. The focus group was of the opinion that people did as they pleased in the forest.
Local community members are fully aware of the existence of horticultural crops in the forest.
Ntabamhlophe Forest: Biophysical Characteristics
History of Ntabamhlophe Forest Conservation Management
According to Dale (1995), the committee was presented with the following five options: . i) Leave the use of the mountain as it is now. A small number of community members opposed the Traditional Authority and the community regarding the conservation of the forest and mountains. They were concerned that the Natal Parks Board would take over management of the mountain and forest.
Most community members were in favor of the possibility of managing mountains and forests for different land uses, such as livestock rotation and tourism.
Research Design and Methods
Methods of Observation and Data Collection
- Methods
- Research Questionnaire Design
- Procedure
- Sampling
Both the focus group and wise counselors were given the same questionnaire schedule to complete (Appendix 1). Some of the information given by the focus group was requested by the researcher during the discussion. A combination of the focus group and wise counsel approach was used through the administration of a structured questionnaire schedule (Appendix 1).
The gender representation of the focus group was sixty-six percent (66%) male and thirty-four percent (34%) female.
Summary
This table purely reflects the number of individuals per focus group who represented the local community of Ntabamhlophe. However, when the focus groups were compared, there was no significant difference in responses to forest resource use. Due to varying interests and concentration levels, some focus group meetings lasted more than two hours.
At no point were focus group members required to vote to determine their position on forest products and resource use.
Analysis of Results
- Data Collation, Synthesis and Analysis
- Demography and Socio-economic Status of Focus Group
- Forest Resource Use and Products
- Indigenous Plant Harvest
- Indigenous Forest Management
- Indigenous Forest Conservation
- Threats to the Ntabamhlophe Indigenous Forest
Thirteen percent (13%) of the focus group indicated that forest products were used for decoration or crafts. Another twenty-five percent (25%) of the focus group indicated that they used the forest to the same extent as in previous years. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the focus group described current state intervention as non-existent.
Another twenty-five percent (25%) of the focus group indicated that they avoided traditional authority.
Discussion and Conclusions
Indigenous Medicinal Plant Harvesting
Cultural and Historical Sites
Some members of the community seemed to be unhappy with the eviction in 1964, because of this fact they were very skeptical about the protection of the forest. Community members were convinced that forest protection could result in the inclusion of surrounding areas. Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) play a major role in mediating living heritage sites (Prins, 2006 pers. comm.).
Due to cultural changes, the community is not expected to benefit significantly from the forest as a cultural resource.
Perceived Threats
The KwaZulu-Natal Ingonyama Trust Board would be an important player in the management of the forest. During the study, it appeared that the community has different views on forest conservation. Forest management should be prioritized in the Integrated Development Plan for Imbabazane Local Municipality.
State Forest Management – The Government Department defines the rules for the use and management of forests.
Fuelwood and Timber Harvesting
Educational and Recreational Benefits
Both the Ntabamhlophe forest and the mountain are resources that are widely used by the local community for resource harvesting and by local schools for educational purposes (Table 6). Some of the focus groups believed that the benefits of the forest and the mountain were realized by other schools located far from the Ntabamhlophe area. Aesthetically, all the focus groups felt that both the forest and the mountain are unique.
This initiative is recognized as an approach that will introduce an incentive to improve the use and management of both the forest and the mountain.
Historical and Current Forest Management
Other individuals in the community believe that if the forest is managed by the government there would be more employment opportunities for the community. There is a strong belief among community members that if the forest is protected, they would benefit more from it. There is a very strong belief that if the forest is formally protected, there would be more benefits for the community.
According to McKean (2005), a forest is more likely to be protected in the long term if the community has formal tenure.
Challenges
- Community Representation
- Traditional Healers Perspective
- Land Tenure
Majola (2006 pers. comm.) indicated that new landowners (claimants) would like to take over the management of the forest. In Ntabamhlophe, the Traditional Authority and the majority of respondents indicated that they would like the forest to be protected and preserved. It is the same regiment that forced the Traditional Authority to halt negotiations over the conservation of Ntabamhlophe Mountain and the forest in 1995.
There is a strong belief that the forest belongs to iNkosi Ndaba (Mhlungwini Traditional Authority) because it is on communal land.
Conclusions
As McKean (2005) writes, the forest is more likely to be protected in the long term if the community has an official position. The community has misconstrued the fact that the forest is not actively managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The forest is the source of their livelihood and they have depended on it for years.
Even if the forest is protected, traditional health practitioners have indicated that they will always need access to harvest medicinal plants.
Recommendations
Given the current enabling policy and legislative framework, a partnership management approach for Ntabamhlophe should be recommended. The community, Traditional Authority and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife are currently failing to manage the forest. Therefore, it is recommended to start a “cooperative management” approach. Consequently, the cooperative management system must take into account local dynamics and be adaptive.
An alternative source should be investigated to provide firewood, timber and medicinal plants (Bambanani White Mountain Muthi Indigenous Nursery).
Effect of fires on woody vegetation in the pine-grassland ecotone of the southern black hills. The effects of fire on the Podocarpus latifolius forests of the Royal Natal National Park, Natal Drakensberg. The Conservation Attitudes and Forest Use of the Zulu People in Settlements around the Ongoye Forest.
The future role of tropical forests in influencing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.
Lack of clarity about the status of the forest affects its condition and management. Local people use the forest for harvesting wood products Local people use the forest for harvesting non-wood products Use of the forest and its products has intensified over time Future use of the forest and its products is threatened by population growth in surrounding areas. The forest is likely to be an area of conflict in the future because of the varying demands on how it should be used.
