Historical fig trees fall to progress

NEW Germany residents as well as members of the New Germany Conservancy watched in horror as municipal contractors destroyed several ancient fig trees in Qashana Khuswayo (Shepstone Road) Road on Wednesday, 28 May.

The fig trees (Ficus natalensis) were cut down after construction began for the first phase of the eThekwini’s Go!Durban integrated rapid public transport network (IRPTN) project.

The IRPTN project was designed with the hope of linking various modes of public transport between Pinetown, uMlazi, uMhlanga, Bridge City and Durban Central.

According to Jean Lindsay, the chairman of the New Germany Conservancy, the trees were part of the community’s natural heritage.

“Many of these trees were planted by the German Bergthiel settlers who arrived in New Germany in the 1860s.

“This information was supplied to me some years ago by Leo Freese, a descendant of these settlers.

“This is being done in the name of ‘progress’ as the new IRPTN or “Go!Durban” road will be following this route and the road needs to be widened to accommodate an extra lane,” said Lindsay.

Lindsay reported that 10 other indigenous trees were also chopped down on the Wednesday, and she fears that many more will be hacked down.

“The fig trees are wonderful trees because they supply fruit for birds and monkeys. Their leaves clean the air as they absorb pollution from all the vehicles that use this road,” said Lindsay.

The prominent conservationist also reported that she attended a public meeting at Lahee Park on 19 November 2013, but no mention was made of the trees that would have to be removed along this road to compensate for the additional lane.

Carlos Esteves, the deputy head of Road System Management, said, “No trees on Shepstone Road were identified as protected or significant to require specific treatment.

“At the various public participation meetings held in Pinetown, by the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) and the company handling the full environmental impact assessment (EIA), no objections were raised about trees in Shepstone Road.

“The only tree issue that was identified relates to the trees in the vicinity of the Pinetown Central Library, which was investigated and resolved,” said Esteves.

The Highway Heritage Society and AMAFA was also reportedly consulted and they raised no concerns regarding the trees along Shepstone Road.

According to Esteves the meetings were held on Tuesday 19 February at the Pinecrest Shopping Centre and Thursday 21 February at the Bridge City Shopping Centre. Notices regarding these meetings were published in various newspapers.

Esteves also reported a full EIA was done, over a two year period, and authorisation for or the entire project was obtained from the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs. A wetland and vegetation assessment was also conducted, and the assessment did not identify any protected trees along the route.

Lindsay said, “The New Germany Conservancy will be requesting that ‘Go!Durban’ implement the municipality’s Biodiversity Offset Policy, which means that they will have to replace all the indigenous trees that have been removed.”

Esteves confirmed that the municipality will be implementing an offset project.

“The trees to be planted will be advised through the relevant specialist city departments.

“In general the GO!Durban plans include for precinct development which includes tree planting, landscaping and general area urban improvement around all stations.

“It also incorporates landscaping and tree planting where appropriate along the route,” he said

Following the destruction of the historical fig trees, Lindsay has offered to assist the local Parks Department with the municipality’s Champion Tree List project. The aim of the project is to catalogue and preserve trees with historical or natural significance.

Contact Jean Lindsay on 082 550 4427 or lindsayjd@mweb.co.za.