Title: National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 (“NEMBA”): Consultation on the Draft Biodiversity Management Plan for Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium Simum) in South Africa 

Government Notice: GN 4980 in GG 50829 of 18 June 2024 

Deadline for public comments: 18 July 2024 

On 18 June 2024, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, in terms of sections 43(1)(b), 43(3), 99 and 100 of the NEMBA, published the draft Biodiversity Management Plan (“BMP”) for the Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and White Rhinoceros (Certatotherium simum) in South Africa, for public comment. 

The vision of the draft BMP is to ensure that: 

“Thriving national herds of wild black and white rhino are valued, promote conservation, and people benefit from their inclusive sustainable use, with the associated goal that will aim to cooperatively manage a viable, secure and expanding national metapopulation of both species of indigenous rhino in order to contribute to national biodiversity objectives, meet a range of societal values, and advance transformation through inclusive ownership, meaningful participation and broad beneficiation”. 

Once finalised, the Minister attends to assign the responsibility for implementation of the draft BMP to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment supporting by the National Rhino Conservation Co-ordinating Committee.