Media Alert Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism WEDNESDAY, 21 MAY 2008 A declaration committing Government to implement the national
Grasslands Programme to conserve the deteriorating grasslands will be signed at the Walter
Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, on the 22nd May 2008. The Deputy Minister of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, will be the first to sign the Declaration, and
will be joined by Provincial Environmental MECs. MECs handling environment portfolios
will also sign include Gauteng MEC Mr. Khabisi Mosunkutu, Limpopo MEC Mr. Collins
Chabane and KZN MEC Mr. Mtholephi Mthimkhulu This is the first formal commitment towards conserving South Africa's grasslands that brings together all
stakeholders to conserve biodiversity in the grasslands biome. Covering 29% of South Africa
and crossing seven provinces, the grasslands biome is the second largest biome in South Africa.
However, 30% of this important biome is irreversibly transformed, and less than 2% is formally
conserved, falling far short of international conservation targets. Other VIPs expected to attend are the Acting Director-General of the Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism, representative of United Nations Development Program (UNDP), CEOs of
Conservation Agencies and senior officials and representatives of partner organizations. The media is invited to attend. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OR | 
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