Author: John Yeld

Penguins at Boulders Beach in Cape Town. Environment minister Dion George seeks a settlement to end conservation groups’ legal challenge over “irrational” fishing restrictions to protect penguins’ food supply. Conservation groups are “encouraged” by the minister’s move but are waiting to see details of the settlement offer. For now, a court hearing is still scheduled for October. For climate change news and analysis, go to News24 Climate Future. The new environment minister in the Government of National Unity, Dion George of the DA, has instructed his lawyers to settle High Court litigation being brought against his department by bird conservation…

Government Proposal Threatens Environmental Safeguards in Kruger National Park A recent proposal by the South African government to exclude certain developments in the Kruger National Park from statutory environmental impact assessments has raised concerns among environmental specialists. Under this proposal, South African National Parks (SANParks) could implement developments without proper checks and balances, limiting public participation in the park’s management. Despite minimal public response to the proposal, experts like Cape Town lawyer Richard Summers have highlighted the potential negative consequences of this move. They argue that it goes against principles of administrative justice and public participation enshrined in the South…