| Water restrictions for Kruger Park
Alarmingly low levels of some of the perennial rivers that affect the Kruger National Park (KNP) have forced KNP management to introduce stringent water restrictions in an effort to help preserve the biodiversity needs of the parks river systems. We realise that the restrictions will have a noticeable effect on tourist facilities as the lawns will not be as lush and green that they have been for the last few years, but we need to start conserving the little water that we have, said KNP Conservation Services head of department, Dr Freek Venter. The new water restrictions, which will come into place from April 23 2007, will effectively halve the amount of water used for irrigation purposes at KNP camps, hostels, ranger posts, staff villages, concession lodges, sports fields and entrance gates, no matter whether those facilities extract water from boreholes or rivers.
Holidaymakers set to reap sterling benefits
Long haul destinations like South Africa, Dubai, Egypt and Mexico join Turkey, best value in Europe, as the countries where the pound will stretch further for UK holidaymakers this year.
According to a travel money survey by the Post Office, comparing currency movement trends in 16 destinations, sterling has gained ground in three-quarters of the countries surveyed over the past year.
The most marked growth has been in South Africa where sterling strengthened against the rand by nearly 21%.
Post Office Head of Travel Kevin McAdam said: “The continued growth of sterling is part of a long term trend that has seen the South African rand more than halve in value over the past decade. In that time demand for safaris, Garden Route tours and Cape Town breaks has mushroomed.
Zim to cull elephants as numbers explode
Harare - Zimbabwe plans to cull its growing elephant population to limit damage to the environment and reduce conflict with humans, state media said on Tuesday. The reports came after a rampaging elephant trampled to death a British woman and her 10-year-old daughter on Saturday in the Hwange national part in northwest Zimbabwe. The animals have also often stomped through villages, destroying crops and property. Zimbabwe's parks and wildlife authority says the southern African country's elephant population has risen above 100 000, more than twice the 45 000 it can sustain. "We are having an explosion of the elephant population," the regional Chronicle newspaper quoted wildlife authority spokesperson Edward Mbewe as saying. "This has proved to be destructive to the environment and there are more cases of humans encountering elephant invasions and attacks".
Playing at local movie theaters
BELIEVE * 1/2 A locally produced "mockumentary" that's too heavy on the mocking and too light on the laughs. Complete review on Page W5, running time: 78 minutes, PG (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity) FRACTURE *** It's Ryan Gosling and Anthony Hopkins' exchanges that make this predictable legal thriller rewarding. Complete review on Page W3, running time: 113 minutes, R (violence, profanity, gore, brief sex, vulgarity) HOT FUZZ *** This violent buddy-cop movie spoof from the "Shaun of the Dead" creators has several enjoyable aspects. Complete review on Page W4, running time: 121 minutes, R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs, brief nudity) IN THE LAND OF WOMEN ** 1/2 An obvious attempt to copy the hipster-cool vibe of "Garden State." Adam Brody stars.
Akali leader hurt in road accident
CHANDIGARH: Former Punjab minister and Akali leader Jagjeet Singh Zira was injured along with his driver and another accomplice in a road accident on Tuesday.
The mishap took place at the dividing road of Sector 38/39 when the Akali leader was travelling in his Tata Safari, which accidentally collided with an Alto.
The Alto was being driven by one Narinder Singh, a resident of Sector 38. While Zira, his driver Gurdev Singh and Narinder suffered minor injuries, both vehicles were thoroughly damaged in the accident.
The local police rushed to the spot and provided medical treatment to the victims. The Sector 39 police said that later, a written compromise was reached between both parties, so no case was registered in this regard. .
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