Kruger National Park (KNP) in partnership with Total South Africa held the “Keep Kruger Clean” (KKC) campaign at Welverdiend, a village outside Orpen Gate as part of the World Environmental Day (WED) celebrations today, June 5, 2017. The aim of this campaign is to educate and create awareness about the danger of spoiling the environment such as the national parks 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”, said 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, which was launched in 2006 and still on.
Nhlapo also pointed to the stakeholders, that, visiting 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”
The KKC campaign has allowed stakeholders including school kids from the neighbouring communities to take part by collecting litter in areas outside the Park’s entrance gates. With Total SA as a dedicated sponsor, awareness building materials such as brochures and rubbish bags with litter messages continue to be handed out to guests on daily basis upon entry to the park.
“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. “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.”
