KwaZulu-Natal has announced the declaration of the iNkonjane Nature Reserve, a newly protected area named after the Critically Endangered Blue Swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea). Officially proclaimed by MEC Rev. Musa Zondi, the 181.7-hectare reserve potentially strengthens South Africa’s efforts to protect its most threatened species and habitats.
Critical Habitat for the Blue Swallow
Located next to the existing iMpendle Nature Reserve, which hosts 13% of South Africa’s remaining 30 breeding pairs of Blue Swallows, the iNkonjane Nature Reserve aims to protect vital foraging grounds for this rare aerial insectivore. “Named after the isiZulu word for the Blue Swallow – inkonjanesibhakabhaka – the reserve provides a critical sanctuary for this Critically Endangered bird,” says an Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife press release.
Home to Rare Butterflies and Grassland Species
The new reserve is also a sanctuary for the Critically Endangered Pennington’s protea butterfly (Capys penningtoni), a species found only in the greater Mkhomazi River valley. This butterfly relies exclusively on the common sugarbush protea (Protea caffra) to complete its life cycle.
“The new reserve also conserves valuable portions of Southern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland and patches of Eastern Mistbelt Forest, both under mounting pressure from afforestation, agriculture, and development”. These ecosystems support several other threatened species, including the Endangered oribi antelope, Endangered mountain reedbuck, and Near Threatened grey rhebok. “In time, it is hoped that these species, particularly the Endangered oribi antelope, can be reintroduced.”
Biodiversity Offset Agreement
The reserve was established through a biodiversity offset agreement involving Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, uMngeni Water, and uThukela Water. This agreement compensates for the construction of a wastewater pipeline through part of the Midmar Nature Reserve. In a rare exception, a servitude was permitted on condition that the residual damage to Midmar’s grasslands be offset through the acquisition of high-value conservation land, and incorporated to KwaZulu-Natal’s protected area network.
Towards South Africa’s Biodiversity Goals
Managed jointly with the iMpendle Nature Reserve, “there will be no fences separating these nature reserves, which will allow the free movement of wildlife and the integrated management of a larger conservation unit, allowing for greater ecological resilience”. This addition brings the land managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to over 518,000 hectares and pushes KwaZulu-Natal’s total protected area extent to 10.78% of the province.
Though iNkonjane Nature Reserve is not yet open to the public, visitors can visit the adjacent iMpendle Nature Reserve.
