SANParks hopes get more community involvement in conserving SA's national parks

CAPE TOWN - SANParks is hoping to get more community involvement in the conservation of South Africa’s national parks.

The organisation will be hosting its Vision2040 conference this week.

It said the focus will be on long-term conservation with community involvement.  

SANParks spokesperson, JP Louw, said their previous conservation methods had created poor perceptions of what conservation really is.

"When you go to our different national parks, you'll even find gravesites that show you that these are places that people used to stay. Now, what we're saying into the future is that we want to work towards inclusive conservation. What is called convivial conservation, where literally you reimagine a relationship of your community with conservation."