THE WILD COAST region of the Eastern Cape will be home to a conservation park that includes communities within its boundaries when the Pondoland National Park is launched in 2002. The land (106000ha) and marine park (100000ha) will stretch from Port St Johns to Mtamvuna near Port Edward, incorporating environmental hotspots like the Pondoland Centre of biological diversity and endemism and the Mkambati Nature Reserve. It is being driven by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and South African National Parks (SANParks) who will co-manage the park with communities. The area was chosen for its unique biodiversity, relatively low population density compared with the region south of Port St Johns, and the number of sites within the area that can attract further investment for conservation-based developments. DEAT national spatial development initiatives programme manager Julian Sturgeon describes the project as a new South African park that will be an economic engine for the area, with the government intending to spend up to R200 million on the park. This would be spent on infrastructure, community-based tourism initiatives, capacity building and fencing. Poverty-relief projects also stand to benefit. Substantial private sector investment from empowerment initiatives would also be sought. Sturgeon said the first phase of the park was already under way with the transfer of Water Affairs and Forestry-owned forests to SANParks. The transfer is due to be completed by March 30. Phase two is the establishment of the contractual park between SANParks and the communities to be jointly managed that will be mostly unfenced. Core areas that require strict protection like Mkambati, major estuaries, certain forests and the marine component will receive highest levels of protection. The coastal zone stretching one kilometre inland is already protected by a special Transkei decree and laws will be strictly enforced. No relocation of communities was planned in the park.