Successful controlled burns improves security in Ashley, Nazareth
The controlled burns in grasslands are also important for the environment.
ETHEKWINI Natural Resources have helped improve security in Ashley and Nazareth through successful controlled burns of overgrown areas.
Following well-attended meetings of the Pinetown South CPF, DA councillor Lucky Mshengu and his team of activists liaised with council officials to improve security by raising the issue of overgrown areas in the Ward 16 area of Pinetown.
Areas of concern included the Mariannridge Drive area (opposite Pick n Pay) as well as the Mariannwood Nature Reserve and the public open space between Rudlof and Holzner Roads.
Kenneth Mabila and Terry Stewart of eThekwini Natural Resources were roped in and arranged controlled burns in the area.
Mshengu said: “We really appreciate their prompt action in the interest of both the Ashley and Nazareth areas. Pedestrians who were previously targeted by criminal elements will feel a lot safer now.”
While the community were concerned for their safety around the overgrown areas, eThekweni Municipality were also concerned about the environment.
According to Terry Stewart, majority of grasslands in SA are “fire maintained” – which means they depend on being burnt on a regular cycle to maintain the maximum plant species diversity.
“Most of our plant species occur in grasslands and not forests. In fact 80 per cent of all our critically endangered flowering species occur in grasslands.
“The grasslands found within the Pinetown/Highway area are Moist Coast Grasslands and KZN Sandstone sourveld grasslands which are themselves, threatened habitats,” added Stewart.
Burning of the grassland is also essential for removal of accumulated thatch or dead grass which will eventually smother and kill the smaller flowering plants.
It reduces fuel loads – grasslands which have been unburned for several years accumulate dead plant material which eventually becomes a fire hazard and makes for intense hot fires which can sterilize the top soil.
It also recycles essential nutrients that are locked in the accumulated dead grass, promotes grazing pastures in conservation areas with big game such as wildebeest, impala, buffalo and other antelope. It controls invasive alien plant species and manages the encroachment of indigenous woody plants into the grassland.
Stewart, however urged residents not to set fire to the grasslands around their homes. “Burning without permission and not having the required safety procedures in place is illegal and if grasslands are burned in the wrong way, at the wrong time, then the fires will damage the indigenous species and open the area up for invasive alien plants,” he added.
Tim Brauteseth, West Durban Constituency MP, inspected the burn area and was instrumental in getting the collaboration of DA activists.
“I’m honoured to have activists that are willing to dedicate themselves to the cause of their fellow residents. The team we assigned to Ward 16 is still in place and we’re assisting with further concerns daily for the residents of Nazareth, Ashley and Mariannridge,” said Brauteseth.
