Forest Products, Livelihoods and Conservation

Michelle Cocks and Tony Dold 85

Figure 2. Documented trade routes of C. flanaganii bark from Pirie Forest

The difference in price for C. flanaganii is substantial in the various

urban centres. For example, between King William’s Town and Grahamstown

(110 km) the mark-up is approximately 213%. Recordings were made of the

price of C. flanaganii at secondary markets in the neighbouring districts

and the increase in price per kilogram was significant.

POLICIES AFFECTING RAW MATERIAL PRODUCTION

Pirie State Forest has been heavily exploited both by herbal gatherers and

historically by woodcutters (Board 1962). Furthermore, past and recent political

changes in South Africa have seriously impacted upon the management of

Pirie Forest. For example, under the previous administration forest management

was under the jurisdiction of the former homeland. During that era,

communities were strictly prohibited from accessing forest resources. Forest

guards patrolled the area to ensure that no one accessed resources. This

changed, however, in 1994 after the first South African democratic election

when the Chief Directorate of Forestry inherited de jure responsibility for

all forests previously under the jurisdiction of the former provinces,

homelands and self-governing territories. This constituted a substantial

Map by Rhodes University Graphics Services Unit

Source: Cocks and Dold 2002

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