Unfortunately, its still taboo to conserve, preserve and maintain cleanness when coming to our environment from oceans, seas, neighbourhoods to Holy places, etc.
But Kruger National Park in partnership with Total SA, has kept its word through its annual ‘Keep Kruger Clean’ campaign, held at Welverdiend, a village outside Orpen Gate, Mpumalanga, to educate and create awareness on dangers of spoiling the environment and other habitats.
“This year’s theme connecting people to nature encourages human beings to cherish the close relationship they have with nature. Our ecosystems are sensitive and must be preserved.
We need various species of flora and fauna in their original state for them to maintain a healthy and balanced environment; which includes the things on which they depend on to survive such as soil, river or stream”, says the acting KNP Managing Executive, Lucy Nhlapo.
The World Environment Day was declared by the United Nations general assembly in Stockholm in 1972 and is celebrated annually on 5 June, with Canada as the host this year.
In the KNP, the event is always linked with the Keep Kruger Clean (KKC) campaign, launched in 2006 and its still on going.
“The Keep Kruger Clean initiative, now in its 9th year, enables us to influence ecological responsible lifestyle choices which can help to protect the environment and ensure we sustain its natural resources for current and future generations to enjoy,” explains Nyameka Makonya, CSI Manager at Total South Africa.
School children and neighbouring villagers are encouraged to take part in cleaning and creating awareness about nature and habitat.
“Our commitment to conservation continues even beyond World Environmental Day. Through our investment in sustainable initiatives such as the flagship nature conservation program, ‘Walk and Learn on the Wildside’, Keep Kruger Clean and Kids in Kruger, we continue to make a tangible difference,” says Makonya.
“Stakeholders, that visit the National Parks including the KNP and other tourist attractions found in the country offers many benefits as there is so much to explore.
“We have the wilderness trails which some regard as places they get close to nature, people can go on self/guided game drives and spot those rare animals, just driving around the Park and taking photos of wildlife can do wonders.
Even at home, spend some time outdoors getting fresh air instead of sitting indoors chatting on social media,” says Nhlapo.
“This year’s theme ‘connecting people to nature’ encourages human beings to cherish the close relationship they have with nature. Our ecosystems are sensitive and must be preserved.
We need various species of flora and fauna in their original state for them to maintain a healthy and balanced environment; which includes the things on which they depend on to survive such as soil, river or stream.”
