To provide for the protection and conservation of ecologically viable areas  representative of South Africa’s biological diversity and its natural landscapes and  seascapes; for the establishment of a national register of all national, provincial and  local protected areas; for the management of those areas in accordance with  national norms and standards; for intergovernmental co-operation and public  consultation in matters concerning protected areas; for the continued existence, governance and functions of South African National Parks; and for matters in connection therewith.

Latest Developments:

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) has been updated by a Declaration of Areas situated in the Northern Cape Province to be part of the existing Mokala National Park in terms of the Act, as per Notice No. 5119 of GG51050 dated 16 August 2024.

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) has been updated by Amendments to Regulation under R781 of 2019: Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area Regulations, as per Notice No. R.4210 of GG49937 dated 22 December 2023.

The National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, 2022 (No. 2 of 2022) has updated and made Amendments to:

National Environmental Management Act 1998

National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 2003

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 2004

National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 2004

National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act 2008

National Environmental Management: Waste Management Act 2008 - Effective 30 June 2023 (save for certain sections) per Proclamation 125 of GG48869 -

as per Notice No. 2203 of GG46602, dated 24 June 2022.

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) has been updated by the publication of an amendment to the Regulations for Management of the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area, as per Notice No. R1347 of GG43999 dated 15 December 2020

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) has been updated by the publication of the Non-Detriment finding Assessment for Aloe ferox (Bitter Aloe), as per Notice No. R1295 of GG43971 dated 7 December 2020

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) has been updated by the publication of a Correction Notice amending Regulations for Management of the Agulhas Front Marine Protected Area, as per Notice No. R797 of GG43534 dated 17 July 2020

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) has been updated by the publication of a Correction Notice amending Regulations for Management of Southwest Indian Seamount  Marine Protected Area, as per Notice No. R784 of GG43528 dated 17 July 2020

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) has been updated by the publication of a Correction Notice amending Notice declaring the Agulhas Front Marine Protected Area in terms of Section 22A of the Act, as per Notice No. R781 of GG43528 dated 17 July 2020

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) has been updated by the Withdrawal of the Declaration of the farms specified in the notice as part of the Karoo National Park as per Notice No.R.598 of GG43358 dated 29 May 2020

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) has been updated by the Management of the Namaqua National Park Marine Protected Area Regulations as per Notice No.R.787 of GG42479 dated 23 May 2019.

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) has been updated by the publication of Regulations for the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area, as per Notice No.R.781 of GG42479 dated 23 May 2019.

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) has been updated by Proclamations, Declaration of Land to be Part of Table Mountain National Park as per Proclamation No. 3 of GG42185 dated 25 January 2019.