Ensuring birds and their habitats are protected by the law
In South Africa we are fortunate to have comprehensive environmental laws that regulate human and bird interactions, including controls on the use of terrestrial and marine resources, development projects, hunting, trade as well as industrial and commercial activities that may threaten bird species or degrade their environments. By recognising protected species and designated conservation areas, our laws also enable the protection of critical habitats including wetlands, estuaries, forests, grasslands and coastal zones. They can be used to promote environmental stewardship, and hold individuals, corporations, and government agents accountable for actions that could cause ecological harm.
The primary objective of the Policy and Advocacy team is to ensure that we maximise the potential of these legal tools and policy measures to arrest the decline of bird populations and to conserve biodiversity. As a cross cutting programme in BirdLife South Africa, we provide legal advice and advocacy support to our conservation staff and external stakeholders. We are driven by our determination to ensure that environmental law is a powerful ally in promoting the success of our conservation endeavours.
In the past few years, the work of the Policy and Advocacy Team has included a range of interventions. We frequently comment on environmental impact assessment reports when we are concerned that there could be negative impacts on birds and their habitats. We also appeal decisions to approve developments, if these decisions are based on inaccurate or inadequate information, or do not comform to enviromental laws and principles. In 2025, we partnered with SANCCOB and the Biodiversity Law Centre in litigation that led to a Court Order securing no-take zones around six key penguin colonies. These reactive measures are complemented by our proactive endeavours to promote and advise on good environmental practice through the publication of guidelines, brochures and monitoring reports.
Ensuring birds and their habitats are protected by the law
In South Africa we are fortunate to have comprehensive environmental laws that regulate human and bird interactions, including controls on the use of terrestrial and marine resources, development projects, hunting, trade as well as industrial and commercial activities that may threaten bird species or degrade their environments. By recognising protected species and designated conservation areas, our laws also enable the protection of critical habitats including wetlands, estuaries, forests, grasslands and coastal zones. They can be used to promote environmental stewardship, and hold individuals, corporations, and government agents accountable for actions that could cause ecological harm.
The primary objective of the Policy and Advocacy team is to ensure that we maximise the potential of these legal tools and policy measures to arrest the decline of bird populations and to conserve biodiversity. As a cross cutting programme in BirdLife South Africa, we provide legal advice and advocacy support to our conservation staff and external stakeholders. We are driven by our determination to ensure that environmental law is a powerful ally in promoting the success of our conservation endeavours.
In the past few years, the work of the Policy and Advocacy Team has included a range of interventions. We frequently comment on environmental impact assessment reports when we are concerned that there could be negative impacts on birds and their habitats. We also appeal decisions to approve developments, if these decisions are based on inaccurate or inadequate information, or do not comform to enviromental laws and principles. In 2025, we partnered with SANCCOB and the Biodiversity Law Centre in litigation that led to a Court Order securing no-take zones around six key penguin colonies. These reactive measures are complemented by our proactive endeavours to promote and advise on good environmental practice through the publication of guidelines, brochures and monitoring reports.
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