DRAKENSBERG NATURE RESERVE

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/africa/south-africa-new-drakensberg-nature-reserve-will-protect-ancient-rock-art-wildlife-livelihoods-grasslands-and-water-96498

Context: South Africa has recently declared the Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve, a 6,500-hectare nature reserve in the Drakensberg mountains.

Details

• South Africa has announced the establishment of a new nature reserve in the Drakensberg Mountains, which will protect ancient rock art, wildlife, livelihoods, grasslands, and water sources for millions of people.
• The Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve is working with communities to preserve these resources and expand a transnational protected area from South Africa to neighbouring Lesotho.
• The reserve takes forward a commitment made by South Africa at the COP15 biodiversity conference in 2022 that it would protect 30% of its land (including mountains) and oceans by 2030.

Drakensberg Mountain

• The Afrikaans name "Drakensberg" originates from the early Dutch settlers, translating to "Dragons' Mountains."
• The Drakensberg is part of the Great Escarpment, formed during the breakup of Gondwana.
• The highest peak, Thabana Ntlenyana, reaches 3,482 meters.
• The Drakensberg mountain range is the source of the Orange River, a vital water resource that sustains agricultural and industrial activities in South Africa.
• Northern Drakensberg includes wetlands, grasslands, and some of the best rock art in the world, with over 600 sites dating back as far as 3000 BC.
• The area is sparsely populated and home to wildlife such as endangered vulture colonies, herds of eland, and other grassland animals that benefit from expanded migratory corridors.
• The Tugela Falls, with a total drop of 947 meters, is the world's second-highest waterfall.
• Various parks and reserves, including the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, are UNESCO World Heritage sites, protecting the area's biodiversity and cultural heritage.
• The Drakensberg is famous for its extensive collection of San rock art, with thousands of paintings found in numerous caves and overhanging sites.

Source:

Down to Earth

Wikipedia

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.  Which of the following rivers originates from the Drakensberg mountain range and plays a crucial role in South Africa's water supply? A Zambezi River B) Orange River C) Limpopo River D) Congo River Answer: B