# The fear of open-cast coal mining is reportedly driving landowners in Mpumalanga’s Highveld to declare private land as protected areas. The move is not purely motivated by conservation, but it seeks to help shield South Africa’s biodiverse grasslands, which are home to species like the wattled crane and oribi. According to the World Bank, about 476-million indigenous people hold tenure rights to about a quarter of the world’s surface area. Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency says this growing interest in biodiversity stewardship will offer legal protection from mining.
Open-cast coal mining driving Mpumalanga landowners to declare private land as protected areas