Dr Dion George said the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, has prioritised three areas of focus for this financial year – driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and the cost of living, and building a capable, ethical and developmental state.
Speaking at the Department’s Budget Vote, on Friday, George said the Department’s 2025/26 allocation is R9.08 billion.
Nearly half the Department’s medium-term budget-R14.5 billion-will go directly to goods and services, including the Expanded Public Works Programme, implementation of the Forestry Master Plan, and rollout of the Waste Management Strategy.
Just over R5.5 billion, is expected to be transferred to the Department’s entities- SANBI, SANParks, iSimangaliso, and the SA Weather Service.
A revised Low Emissions Development Strategy, detailing Sectoral Emission Targets, is expected to be finalised this year, as well as the implementation of the Climate Change Adaptation Response Plan for vulnerable coastal regions.
George also said other projects this year, include more protection of the KISS initiative- Kruger National Park, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
The FILLER priority advances ethical and sustainable management of lions, leopards, rhinos, and elephants – species that are both culturally significant and economically vital.
The Elephant Heritage Strategy is also underway.
About 397,000 jobs will be created by 2036 through the implementation of the revised National Biodiversity Economy Strategy.
George also said SANBI, will launch a $40 million Green Climate Fund project this year, benefiting over 350,000 people directly and 1.5 million indirectly through investments in ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction.
Picture: Supplied