Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Case 1: Community-based tourism and
conservation in the Richtersveld
Background
The Richtersveld is located in the extreme north west of South Africa in the arid
mountainous desert of the Northern Cape province. Situated in the northern
Karoo, the area is characterized as a succulent Karoo biome and comprises one of
South Africa's most diverse ecosystems, hosting a variety of unique biodiversity.
The Orange river which flows into the Atlantic Ocean to the north of the
Richtersveld has deposited rich layers of alluvial diamonds on its bed and in the
sea and attracted diamond prospectors to the area (Reid and Turner, 2004, p226).
The Richtersveld's extreme remoteness caused this area and the communities
inhabiting it to be neglected. Nonetheless, since 1994 the South African govern-
ment and international donors have begun to pay more attention to the area by
putting resources into developing more sustainable land uses such as tourism
(Kepe et al, 2003). Besides the diamonds in the land and under the sea, the area
has many potential attractions for tourists: the unpolluted skies allow star viewing,
the majestic mountain desert gorges along the Orange river and the town of Port
Nolloth, which even in summer has a misty English seaside feel to it.
Potential Extension
of
Richtersveld/Ai-ais
TFP
Source: Extracted from the Richtersveld Integrated Development Plan 2001
Figure 4.1 Location of Richtersveld National Park and other existing or
potential multi-use conservation areas
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