Kruger stands as one of the oldest National Parks in South Africa and the world as a whole. The coverage of the park is 4.8 million acres, making it one of the largest in the world as well. In the contemporary society, extinction is a problem in most National part making it hard to achieve the level of diversity that is evident in Kruger National Park (Tapela and Omara-Ojungu 33). That banks on the best protection policies that exist within the borders of the National Park. Most of the achievements in the part came about in 2011 when the authority decided to strengthen sustainability within the park. Marking close to 3 percent of the remote areas available under private concession for a decade and a half based on a lease contract improved performance. One of the awards went to Singita, which got the opportunity to construct the best infrastructure to accommodate the needs of the growing population (Chaminuka et al. 24). Since the reinforcement of the authority, some ecological services have achieved growth. For instance, the lease program made it possible to provide more water sources to cater for the growing population. Moreover, there is the regulation of population as well as disease control to improve the state of the environment (Roux and Llewellyn 4). Additionally, there is the development of spiritual as well as recreational services to promote well-being.
Social issues
Most issues evident in Kruger National park are the same with those affecting other parts of South Africa. The main problem relates to land ownership as well as justice. Some decades ago, some communities were moved out of their lands that later earmarked for the development of the National park (Spenceley, Anna and Harold 35). Ideally, that was a good move once done in the right manner. It stands out that the process never embraced justice and currently, most of the communities lay claim to the land. At one instance, close to half of the region became the subject of land claims, and that affected the relationship between various communities in the area. Even though the authority strived to solve some of these issues, a number of them were dismissed, and the affected are still not satisfied with the manner in which the case was handled. The Makhuleke community claim stands out, and the government, as well as other stakeholders, should intervene to ensure cooperation.
Two key drivers of ecological change
Over the past century, there is close to one degree of warming which affects various parts of the world, and Kruger National park also suffers the blow. The climate change mostly affects birds. Moreover, the amendment extends to affect plant growing season as well as the distribution of animals and plants in the region (Butler, Richard and Stephen 40). The alteration in the dates for flowering, breeding as well as bird migration is an aspect that should receive a comprehensive consideration. Land use is also a factor that creates commotion in the region making it hard to for people and plants to co-exist in the area.
Opportunities for sustainability
Even though global warming is still a challenge in different parts of the world, the government of South Africa has the best approaches into consideration to reduce the emission by 13 percent. The impact of such a move is significant and will contribute to success in most occasions. The opportunity has been implemented in various regions including Kruger National Park (Anthony 35). The government of South Africa came to realize about the responsibility on combating climate change. The instance plays a major role in sustainable development. Improving infrastructure is also an instance that the government embraces to meet the needs of the growing population. People can move freely in the region making it possible to contribute positively towards the growth of the park as well as the economy as a whole. These two are the main strategies and will surely provide a competitive edge while fostering sustainability in the region.
Works Cited
Anthony, Brandon. “The dual nature of parks: attitudes of neighbouring communities towards Kruger National Park, South Africa.” Environmental Conservation 34.3 (2007): 6-245.
Butler, Richard, and Stephen W. Boyd. Tourism and national parks. Chichester: Wiley, 2000.
Chaminuka, P., et al. “Tourist preferences for ecotourism in rural communities adjacent to Kruger National Park: A choice experiment approach.” Tourism management 33.1 (2012): 8-176.
Roux, Dirk J., and Llewellyn C. Foxcroft. “The development and application of strategic adaptive management within South African National Parks.” koedoe 53.2 (2011): 01-05.
Spenceley, Anna, and Harold Goodwin. “Nature-based tourism and poverty alleviation: Impacts of private sector and parastatal enterprises in and around Kruger National Park, South Africa.” Current Issues in Tourism 10.2-3 (2007): 5-277.
Tapela, B. N., and P. H. Omara-Ojungu. “Towards bridging the gap between wildlife conservation and rural development in post-apartheid South Africa: the case of the Makuleke community and the Kruger National Park.” South African geographical journal 81.3 (1999): 8-155.
