Forests are home to a wide range of fauna and flora that include 4 440 species of plants, 270 species of mammals, and 532 bird species. These biodiversity assets are found in all land categories-namely state, communal and private lands, to varying extents. 

Threats:

• Agricultural expansion;
• Uncontrolled veldt fires;
• Inadequate economic incentives for local communities;
• Inadequacy of enabling legislation and its weak enforcement; and
• Climate change. 

Interventions:

• Capacitating relevant institutions and communities;
• Value addition to and commercialization of timber and non-timber forest products and services;
• Coordinated enforcement of relevant laws; and
• Piloting and up scaling appropriate land management models.