by bringing together territory from several countries to protect the environment and native ecosystems.Dr. Anton Rupert from South Africa is the head of the project. "This is a very important breakthrough for the growth and development of peace parks in the rest of Africa," Rupert said.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park was created on April 7, 1999. Botswana's Department of Wildlife and National Parks and the South African National Parks agreed to a treaty that will create
the new park, which stretches across national borders.
Botswana's Gemsbok National Park will now be united with South Africa's Kalahari Gemsbok National Park to create the new park in the Kalahari Desert.
The new park will have a total of 37,991 square kilometers and will be monitored by the Transfrontier Management Committee. However, both countries will continue to manage parts of the park as well.
"This exciting initiative of the Peace Parks Foundation has my fullest support,"
said President Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
The Peace Park Foundation hopes to be able to promote and preserve biodiversity through the establishment of Peace Parks in Africa. The organization began in 1997, and has been trying to build cooperation between African countries ever since.
