A new European Union-funded conservation initiative is set to strengthen biodiversity protection and community livelihoods in the iconic Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, one of Southern Africa’s most significant transboundary wilderness areas.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park/JOBOGAERTS/Wikimedia Commons
According to African Parks, the project was officially launched in Gaborone, Botswana, this week, with South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, joining government leaders, conservation organisations and international partners for the event.
Funded through the European Union’s NaturAfrica programme, the initiative will see approximately €2.5 million (around R52 million) invested into conservation management, infrastructure upgrades and community resilience projects across the Kgalagadi landscape.
The 30-month project will be implemented by African Parks in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the governments of South Africa and Botswana.
Stretching across vast red dunes, fossil riverbeds and arid savannahs, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park remains one of the region’s most remarkable conservation success stories. Established in 2000 following a bilateral agreement between South Africa and Botswana, it became the Southern African Development Community’s first transfrontier conservation area.
According to project partners, the new initiative aims to improve protected area management while creating sustainable economic opportunities for communities living alongside the park. Plans include tourism development, infrastructure improvements and support for wildlife-based economies.
A key focus will also be on strengthening cooperation between conservation authorities and local communities, including engagement with the ǂKhomani San community in South Africa.
Speaking at the launch, Singh described the project as a major step forward for regional conservation cooperation. He said the investment demonstrates what can be achieved when governments, conservation organisations and communities work together to protect shared natural heritage.
The project is also expected to generate temporary employment opportunities during implementation, particularly through infrastructure development and conservation management work.
Officials say the long-term goal is to strengthen ecological resilience in the region while ensuring neighbouring communities benefit more directly from tourism and biodiversity conservation initiatives.
(Source: African Parks)
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
ALSO READ:
Ambassador Cruise Line passengers cleared to disembark after norovirus outbreak in France
.jpg){kind=link}