South Africa: The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) has awarded their coveted Green Coast Award to Swartvlei beach. These awards recognize coastal areas where local communities lead the way in protecting bidiversity and promote nature-based eco-tourism.
Earlier, the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve of City of Cape Town was awarded as South Africa’s first Green Coast Status. It was previously, honoured with the status in 2018 and since then it has been awarded annually in recognition of fulfilling the commitment to preserve the unique flora and fauna, along its coastline.
Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA)
WESSA which was earlier known as the Wildlife Society of Southern Africa, is a Wildlife Protection and Conservation Society. It is a non-governmental environmental organisation (NGO) of South Africa, which was established in 1926. Though it originated in 1890s.
Moreover, South Africa has an ecological footprint per person that exceeds its biocapacity. Water shortages, water pollution and air pollution are the top environmental concerns of the country but they also have concerns around broader environmental issues.
Reportedly, for almost 100 years, WESSA has played a significant role in creating awareness and provided platforms for people to act and get involved in helping to solve environmental issues.
WESSA encourages and supports the actions of the citizens for a healthier planet. They focus on education, skill building and training. Particularly among young people as well as advocacy and action projects to promote biodiversity, along with habitat integrity, pollution reduction as well as sustainable use of natural resources.
Their commitment acknowledges the inter-connectedness of people, especially the environment in order to promote sustainable development.
Green Coast Award
The Green Coast is an award that is presented to the rural South African coastal zones that meet the Green Coast criteria. It recognizes the vast natural coastline within South Africa. It comprises of many important coastal habitats and ecosystems.
Green Coast’s objective is to improve sustainable tourism, mainly through the promotion of these rural South African coastal zones. The criteria can be classified into three main themes i.e. Species, Habitat and Heritage.
Its aim is to recognize beaches of high environmental quality. To achieve the award, beaches must have excellent water quality. They must have effective and appropriate management to ensure the protection of the natural environment.
Green Coast Award is a symbol of environmental excellence and has been established to acknowledge, promote and protect the environment of the beaches. The award is for beaches which have excellent water quality, but which are also prized for their natural and unspoilt environment.