THE Polea Biosphere celebrated the proclamation of the Ukhahlamba/Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu Natal as a World Heritage Site (WHS) at a function in Underberg over the weekend. According to KZN Tourism, WHS status brings with it many benefits such as better security as a protected area and more tourists. The park itself has undergone several other improvements including Giant's Castle having been revamped at a cost of R9m and the old Royal Natal National Park hotel to follow suit. A new camp, Didima at Cathedral Park is due for completion in 2003, while the new Centenary Centre interprets and houses the Game Capture operation. Possible conservation developments could see the creation of a transfrontier park and conservation area with Lesotho and the inclusion of linked protected areas in the Free State and Eastern Cape. (Miguel de Sousa)
