For years, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has carried the responsibility of safeguarding our green spaces, yet without the enforcement powers to fully implement the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA).
Councillor Amad of Al Jama-ah alongside the MEC of environment in Gauteng commemorating the world environmental rangers’ day.
This gap left our city vulnerable, and we witnessed a growing trend of environmental transgressions — illegal dumping, tree felling, poaching, encroachments into reserves, and vandalism of public assets. However today, with the launch of the Grade 5 Environmental Management Inspector Programme, that gap is closed.
For the first time, our rangers are not only custodians, but enforcers. They now have the authority to act decisively, to protect biodiversity, and to uphold environmental bylaws.
Amad said: ” I’d to acknowledge the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department for its continued partnership in capacitating our Rangers with the necessary resources, operational support and enforcement capabilities to execute this important mandate effectively.”
