Following reports last week that game reserves in Limpopo are facing major problems, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo is concerned about communities that are dependent on the game reserves involved for their main source of income. According to a statement supplied to the media on behalf of the DA, the problems at the game reserves are a result of poor management and under-budgeting. It is alleged that in some reserves, buildings worth millions are left vacant and falling apart. In other reserves there is evidence of tree felling by poachers. DA Limpopo leader Ms Desiree van der Walt said apparently 47 game farms managed by Limpopo Tourism and Parks were severely underfunded and top officials seemed to be turning a blind eye to the problems faced by these game farms. “Some have no rangers to police poaching and other illegal activities.” It is also reported that parks such as Maleboch, Bewaarkloof, Moletji, Turfloop and Makuya have very limited or no accommodation at all for personnel. “The sustainability of our economy and our efforts at creating new opportunities for our citizens rely on the sound management of our environment for both the current and future generations. Limpopo is blessed with a rich and unique biodiversity,” Van der Walt said. She further said she would be writing to Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Mr Pitsi Moloto to establish what steps he was going to take to ensure that game farms were run efficiently and professionally and a bigger budget was made available to keep them. The department´s senior general manager, Mr Charles Maluleke, denied all knowledge of the problems raised, while Limpopo´s chief director of biodiversity and natural resources management, Mr Greg Knill, conceded that there are problems, many of them traceable to a lack of funds.