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SAVE THE VREDEFORT DOME WORLD HERITAGE SITE! Go here to Sign the Petition
Category:
Environment
Region:
South Africa
Target: Dome
residents and environmentalists everywhere
Also see Facebook site:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=582576361&r...
Background (Preamble)
In 2005 Unesco approved the citation of the Vredefort Dome as a
World Heritage Site (WHS), and the SA government undertook to
formally recognise and regulate the area.
The Dome is at the centre of the oldest and largest visible meteorite impact site on earth. The area is remarkable for its geology and scientific interest and is also extremely beautiful. It is a drawcard for tourists and outdoor adventurers. The Vaal River runs through the Dome, and on the northwestern side is a range of mountains called the Bergland. Unfortunately certain landowners are now trying to prevent final proclamation of the Dome as a WHS. Government has formed the impression that all "landowners" as a group are not interested in conservation and only want a free hand to develop. We need to petition government to go forward with the WHS as planned. As many people as possible should sign this petition to prove that there is overwhelming public support for conservation, the protection of heritage, and sensible economic development for the benefit of all. Please support this! Deadlines are close and the more signatories you can bring to the petition the better our chances of saving this unique natural area for the nation and the world. PETITION STATEMENT
We, the undersigned, hereby petition the
South-African Government:
1. Not to agree to the request from some of the landowners in the Vredefort Dome to apply to Unesco to delist the area as a world heritage site. 2. To proclaim the Vredefort Dome as a world heritage site in terms of South-African legislation as soon as is reasonably possible. 3. To stop illegal developments in the Vredefort Dome area that negatively impact on the integrity and universal value of the site, including biodiversity, natural beauty, geology, history, rural character, cultural and other heritage. 4. To actively assist to conserve the site as a world heritage site for generations to come. 5. To take immediate steps to ensure that the pollution of the Vaal river is stopped. 6. To appoint a management authority to actively manage and conserve the site. 7. To finalize and implement the regulations and management plan for the site. 8. To actively assist the sustainable tourism development of the site and surrounding areas. 9. To develop the infrastructure required for the sustainable conservation and presentation of the Vredefort Dome as a world heritage site to all the people of the world. 10. To take steps to stop the vandalism of the unique geological meteorite impact melt rock formations and other geological phenomena in the Vredefort Dome. Go here to Sign the Petition About the Vredefort Dome
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