KNP STAKEHOLDERS AIM FOR A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

KNP STAKEHOLDERS AIM FOR A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

Kruger National Park (KNP) in partnership with Total South Africa held the “Keep Kruger Clean” (KKC) campaign at Phalaborwa as part of the World Environmental Day (WED) celebrations today, June 5, 2015. The aim of this campaign is to educate and create awareness about the danger of littering the environment such as the national parks and other habitats. The Environment Day was declared by the United Nations general assembly in Stockholm in 1972 and it is celebrated annually on 5 June.

This year’s theme for the WED is “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care”, and focuses around the well-being of humanity, the environment, and the functioning of the economy. It challenges individuals to take a moment, ponder on how they live and how it impacts on the planet.

“If people do not evaluate their spending habits in particular the food they buy; it will end up as litter. We launched the KKC campaign in 2006, specifically to create awareness in and around the park about the dangers of litter towards the environment. The impact on animals when they swallow a plastic or any other kind of litter is like putting a snare around their neck. If an animal steps on a broken bottle; it gets wounded and the wound gets infected, leading to its death”; said the KNP’s GM: Communications & Marketing, William Mabasa.

More awareness building materials such as brochures and rubbish bags with litter messages continue to be handed out to the guests upon entry to the park. “Vukani the Vulture” Mascot also continues to encourage and remind KNP staff and visitors to keep Kruger clean.

“I’m particularly pleased to see the various sectors of society putting their weight together in support of this campaign today; we would like to urge every member of our communities to make a commitment to “Keep the Kruger Clean”; concluded Mabasa.