REGULATIONS FOR THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF SPECIAL NATURE RESERVES, NATIONAL PARKS AND WORLD HERITAGE SITES

These regulations, published under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003, establish the administrative and operational framework for special nature reserves, national parks, and world heritage sites. They detail prohibitions on biodiversity disturbance, rules for biological resource use, access controls, commercial activity restrictions, and the establishment of advisory committees and management plans.

• The regulations apply to all special nature reserves, national parks, and world heritage sites, with the specific exception of the Vredefort World Heritage Site. They also extend to marine protected areas that have been incorporated into these types of protected areas.
• Management authorities are prohibited from allowing the introduction of species or specimens, the disturbance or feeding of animals, the removal of natural materials (such as wood, sand, or shells), and the removal of cultural artefacts without prior written consent, licenses, or permits, except in open access protected areas.
• The sustainable use of biological resources in national parks and world heritage sites may be granted via non-transferable licenses, permits, or written agreements. These must define the specific land or water area, the duration of the right, and the limits of use. Management authorities must submit annual returns to the Minister by the end of June detailing the number of permits, resources used, quantities harvested, income generated, and conservation status.
• Access to protected areas is strictly controlled; entry is limited to specific areas and designated times. Management authorities may close areas for management purposes, public safety, or due to extreme fire risk. Visitors must pay entrance fees and, if using a vehicle, display proof of entry on the inside of the windscreen opposite the driver.
• Commercial activities, including conducting tours, filming with webcams, selling goods, and conducting research, require a license, permit, or agreement and the payment of fees. Any development in national parks or world heritage sites must be designated in a management plan and may require a strategic or environmental impact assessment approved by the management authority.
• Specific recreational activities are prohibited without prior written permission, including rock climbing, parachuting, abseiling, using hang gliders, launching hot air balloons, and off-road driving. Water skiing is prohibited between sunset and sunrise.
• Local communities may be granted rights to the sustainable use of biological resources or access for cultural, spiritual, heritage, or religious purposes. Management authorities of national parks and world heritage sites must establish and maintain a register of local communities with rights, reviewing it at least every two years.
• Management authorities may establish advisory committees by inviting nominations from community organisations, NGOs, and residents. Members are appointed for terms not exceeding three years, and at least one management authority employee must serve as an ex officio member.
• Management plans must be integrated with national, provincial, regional, and local government planning. They must include a defined 'sense of place' and assessments of prohibited activities, material threats, and equitable access.
• Strict prohibitions are in place regarding environmental damage, including littering, polluting water, and interfering with soil or substrate. The removal of fossils, archaeological remains, or shipwrecks is prohibited without permission. The use of firearms is generally prohibited, though licensed owners may bring them if they are handed over to an authorised official at the first checkpoint and sealed.
• Bioprospecting is prohibited without prior written authorisation from the management authority, subject to specific conditions and the payment of a fee.
• Contravention of these regulations is a criminal offence. First-time convictions may result in a fine not exceeding R5 million or imprisonment for up to 5 years. Second or subsequent convictions may lead to a fine of up to R10 million or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (2005). REGULATIONS FOR THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF SPECIAL NATURE RESERVES, NATIONAL PARKS AND WORLD HERITAGE SITES. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2004/11/Regulations-for-the-Proper-Administration-of-Special-Nature-Reserves-National-Parks-and-World-Heritage-Sites.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. REGULATIONS FOR THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF SPECIAL NATURE RESERVES, NATIONAL PARKS AND WORLD HERITAGE SITES. 2005. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2004/11/Regulations-for-the-Proper-Administration-of-Special-Nature-Reserves-National-Parks-and-World-Heritage-Sites.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=REGULATIONS FOR THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF SPECIAL NATURE RESERVES, NATIONAL PARKS AND WORLD HERITAGE SITES |date=28 October 2005 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2004/11/Regulations-for-the-Proper-Administration-of-Special-Nature-Reserves-National-Parks-and-World-Heritage-Sites.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrights2005regulations, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{REGULATIONS FOR THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF SPECIAL NATURE RESERVES, NATIONAL PARKS AND WORLD HERITAGE SITES}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2005}, month = oct, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2004/11/Regulations-for-the-Proper-Administration-of-Special-Nature-Reserves-National-Parks-and-World-Heritage-Sites.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }