Possible 4X4 expedition to Thabana Ntlenyana peak
18 Oct 2011 05:59 - 18 Oct 2011 06:09 #4406
by Geordie
Replied by Geordie on topic Re: Possible 4X4 expedition to Thabana Ntlenyana peak
HI There
I also read the 4x4 forum when this trip (Thabana Ntlenyana) was being discussed.
Personally I think it's gone underground, they don't like to be told what to do.
So lets all be vigilent.
By the way, who would we report any info concerning TN to .
Is TN also within the world heritage area.
Do the Lesotho authorities have teeth?
How can we help?
George C
I also read the 4x4 forum when this trip (Thabana Ntlenyana) was being discussed.
Personally I think it's gone underground, they don't like to be told what to do.
So lets all be vigilent.
By the way, who would we report any info concerning TN to .
Is TN also within the world heritage area.
Do the Lesotho authorities have teeth?
How can we help?
George C
Last edit: 18 Oct 2011 06:09 by intrepid.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
18 Oct 2011 07:48 - 18 Oct 2011 10:18 #4413
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Re: Possible 4X4 expedition to Thabana Ntlenyana peak
It is possible that the plans went underground, yes.
Thabana Ntlenyana does not fall within the UDP-WHS unfortunately. It does fall within the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Project area however, and there is a co-operative agreement in place on an official level. This specific issue was reported to KZN Wildlife, who in turn took it up with their Lesotho counterparts.
The transfrontier area will come increasingly under scrutiny in the future I believe, but details of how the Lesotho side is managed are still somewhat unclear currently. My impression is that they do not tolerate 4x4ing to TN, but I'm not 100% sure.
Our role is to be alert for these kinds of activity, be it some sort of reference on the web, or what you see on the ground. If you see signs, take lots of pictures, record the specific location (GPS), and report it. Issues reported on this forum are regularly forwarded to KZN Wildlife, so always report it here for starters, but you can also report things directly to them too, especially if you see it happening real time, so that they can be caught. See here for their contact details. Stephen Richerts (manager of RNNP) was actively involved in the Amphitheatre 4x4 issue and has a good connection with some responsible 4x4 people. If you see 4x4's on the Amphitheatre, phone him or Eduard Goosen right away.
It must be emphasised that we handle this issue objectively and maturely without it degenerating into name calling and finger-pointing. Many in the 4x4 community are responsible people and do not support this kind of thing. We must work together with these people towards sustainable conservation. Remember too that there are bad apples within our hiking and climbing community too, whom I would equally gladly be rid of in the Berg. The ones with an attitude, and the ones that litter and make a toilet mess near (or on/in) trails, rivers, caves etc.
In the long term I would love to see a full recognition and protection of the entire Drakensberg, spanning across the Free State, KZN and the Eastern Cape, as well as the neighbouring Lesotho side. Maybe this is something we can all work towards somehow.
Thabana Ntlenyana does not fall within the UDP-WHS unfortunately. It does fall within the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Project area however, and there is a co-operative agreement in place on an official level. This specific issue was reported to KZN Wildlife, who in turn took it up with their Lesotho counterparts.
The transfrontier area will come increasingly under scrutiny in the future I believe, but details of how the Lesotho side is managed are still somewhat unclear currently. My impression is that they do not tolerate 4x4ing to TN, but I'm not 100% sure.
Our role is to be alert for these kinds of activity, be it some sort of reference on the web, or what you see on the ground. If you see signs, take lots of pictures, record the specific location (GPS), and report it. Issues reported on this forum are regularly forwarded to KZN Wildlife, so always report it here for starters, but you can also report things directly to them too, especially if you see it happening real time, so that they can be caught. See here for their contact details. Stephen Richerts (manager of RNNP) was actively involved in the Amphitheatre 4x4 issue and has a good connection with some responsible 4x4 people. If you see 4x4's on the Amphitheatre, phone him or Eduard Goosen right away.
It must be emphasised that we handle this issue objectively and maturely without it degenerating into name calling and finger-pointing. Many in the 4x4 community are responsible people and do not support this kind of thing. We must work together with these people towards sustainable conservation. Remember too that there are bad apples within our hiking and climbing community too, whom I would equally gladly be rid of in the Berg. The ones with an attitude, and the ones that litter and make a toilet mess near (or on/in) trails, rivers, caves etc.
In the long term I would love to see a full recognition and protection of the entire Drakensberg, spanning across the Free State, KZN and the Eastern Cape, as well as the neighbouring Lesotho side. Maybe this is something we can all work towards somehow.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Last edit: 18 Oct 2011 10:18 by intrepid. Reason: typo
The following user(s) said Thank You: Philip
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
