South Africa has published a revised Black and White Rhino Biodiversity Management Plan, strengthening coordination, policy alignment and conservation action to protect threatened rhino populations across ecosystems nationally.
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Mr Willie Aucamp, announced the publication of the revised Black and White Rhino Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) in the Government Gazette, marking an important step forward for rhino conservation in South Africa.
The updated plan provides a holistic strategic framework and detailed action programme aimed at improving coordination across government, conservation authorities, private landowners, communities and international partners working to protect rhino populations.
By consolidating earlier policy instruments – the Black Rhinoceros BMP (2013) and the White Rhinoceros BMP (2015) – into a single integrated framework, the revised plan brings together existing conservation strategies into one unified implementation approach.
The plan has been published in terms of sections 43(1)(b) and (c), and 43(3)(a) and (b) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), providing a legislative foundation for strengthened biodiversity protection.
Responsibility for implementation has been assigned to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) until the National Rhino Conservation Coordination Committee is formally established. The committee will support alignment across stakeholders and strengthen collaboration within the rhino conservation ecosystem.
A coordinated approach to conservation recognises that long-term biodiversity protection depends on collaboration between public institutions, conservation organisations, communities and the private sector.
Rhino conservation plays an important role in maintaining ecosystem stability, supporting biodiversity, and contributing to conservation-based economic activity, including tourism and environmental research.
The integrated BMP supports a whole-of-society approach to conservation, helping to strengthen monitoring systems, improve coordination of interventions and support long-term sustainability of rhino populations in South Africa.
The publication of the revised Black and White Rhino Biodiversity Management Plan signals continued commitment to strengthening conservation frameworks that protect South Africa’s natural heritage while supporting collaboration across the environmental sector.
A copy of the Government Notice can be obtained at:
www.environment.gov.za/legislation/gazetted_notices
www.gpwonline.gov.za
