Western Cape Province's Nature Conservation Ordinance, 1974

The Western Cape Nature Conservation Board is established as a juristic entity in terms of the Western Cape Biodiversity Act, 2021

CapeNature is governed by this Board, which is CapeNature's accounting authority.

One of CapeNature's primary functions is the management of nature conservation, not only within protected areas but within the entire Western Cape Province. CapeNature and its staff carry out the day-to-day operation of nature conservation in the Western Cape Province.

The Nature Conservation Ordinance, and its regulations, is essentially the enabling legislation creating the legal processes and structures necessary to carry out the above-mentioned nature conservation functions.

The Nature Conservation Ordinance prescribes the law relating to the protection of, amongst other aspects of biodiversity, wild flora and fauna.

The Nature Conservation Ordinance schedules endangered and protected indigenous animals and plants and provides certain legal protections for the scheduled species so as to assist conservation officials in the protection of biodiversity.

The Nature Conservation Ordinance also deals with professional hunting and non-indigenous species and sets out a system of permitting for certain activities.

The Nature Conservation Ordinance also designates the powers of conservation officials and provides for the appointment of officers.

Until such time as regulations necessary to supplement the Western Cape Biodiversity Act, 2021, are finalized the relevant administrative and law enforcement provisions are still dealt with by the Nature Conservation Ordinance.

Once the Western Cape Biodiversity Act, 2021, and its regulations are fully put into operation the above-mentioned Nature Conservation Ordinance (and its regulations) and will be entirely repealed.