National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004)Chapter 3 : Biodiversity Planning and MonitoringPart 1 : Biodiversity planning40. Bioregions and bioregional plans |
| (a) | determine a geographic region as a bioregion for the purposes of this Act if that region contains whole or several nested ecosystems and is characterised by its landforms, vegetation cover, human culture and history; and |
| (b) | publish a plan for the management of biodiversity and the components of biodiversity in such region. |
| (2) | The Minister may determine a region as a bioregion and publish a bioregional plan for that region either— |
| (a) | on own initiative but after consulting the MEC for Environmental Affairs in the relevant province; or |
| (b) | at the request of a province or municipality. |
| (3) | The MEC for environmental affairs may determine a region as a bioregion and publish a bioregional plan for that region only with the concurrence of the Minister. |
| (4) | Any person or organ of state may, on the request of the Minister or MEC for Environmental Affairs, assist in the preparation of a bioregional plan. |
| (5) | The Minister— |
| (a) | may enter into an agreement with a neighbouring country to secure the effective implementation of the plan; and |
| (b) | must submit to Parliament a copy of any agreement entered into in terms of paragraph (a). |