Lesotho Launches Biodiversity Trust
Maseru - 2 April, 2004
A new organization charged with conserving the endangered Maloti Minnow fish, and other threatened species of plants and animals in Lesotho, was launched in Maseru on 31 March 2004.
Comprising three Trustees each from Lesotho and South Africa, the new Trust is a product of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, a bilateral venture between the two countries to develop a system of dams and tunnels to transfer water from the highlands of Lesotho to the industrial and economic hub of South Africa, Gauteng province.
Phase 1 of the project was inaugurated on 16 March, when the King of Lesotho and the President of South Africa officiated at a colourful ceremony attended by thousands of people at the Mohale Dam.
The new Lesotho Biodiversity Trust has been given a flying start by the donation of M8 million (eight million Rand) from LHDA to get it up and running. The first task of the Trust is to address the conservation of the Maloti Minnow a tiny species found only in the high, cold mountain streams of Lesotho. This species is regarded as being “critically endangered”, mainly because of the introduction of trout to Lesotho. The trout is voracious predator of smaller species.
A last refuge of the Maloti Minnow is found in the Senqunyane river system, which has now been affected by the Mohale Dam. A lot of research has already been done on the Maloti Minnow, and the new Trust will be applying practical measures to ensure that sanctuary areas are established for the minnow where trout will be excluded.
In addition to its first task of conserving the Maloti Minnow, the Lesotho Biodiversity Trust will also undertake other projects to protect Lesotho’s rich biodiversity, and to train biodiversity specialists to care for the natural heritage of Lesotho, the plants and animals of the Mountain Kingdom.
Photo caption: At the launch of the Lesotho Biodiversity Trust (left to right): Dr Cornelius Ruiters (Trustee: RSA), Mr Junior Potloane (Chairman), Miss Nthomeng Majara (alternate), Chief Justice of Lesotho, Honourable M.L. Lehohla (Trustee: Lesotho), Dr Thikhoi Jonathan (Trustee: Lesotho), Mr Philip Opperman (Trustee: RSA), Dr D.R. Phororo (Trustee: Lesotho), and Professor Maitland Seaman (Trustee: RSA).
END of Message ……… 2 April 2004
For more information please contact LHDA Public Relations at 4th floor Lesotho Bank Tower; Telephone No. 22 311 280 ext 2175; Cell Number, 58 857 202