Land restitution and settlement options in protected areas in South Africa

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	Land restitution and settlement options in protected areas in South Africa
Authors:	Koning, Mirjam de Marais, Marinda
Year:	2009
Periodical:	Africanus
Volume:	39
Issue:	1
Pages:	66-79
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	land reform nature conservation
Abstract:	An estimated 122 land claims are outstanding on protected areas in South Africa. The appropriate settlement of these claims can have enormous impact on the local economic development of rural areas where most people still rely heavily on natural resources to keep poverty at bay. For the land restitution process to be successful in protected areas, a good balance between conservation and development must be found. Therefore, conservation agencies must have a good understanding of the land restitution process and be proactive in dealing with these claims. This article describes the proposed ideal land restitution process in protected areas and the various settlement options and scenarios. It discusses the steps involved in processing a land claim, including lodgement and registration, validation, gazetting, facilitation, and settlement. Some examples are given of possible problems if the steps of the proposed land restitution process are not followed in the right order. Financial implications for the management authority and considerations on the way forward conclude the article. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract, edited]