Community unites to save the environment

The weekend rains did not stop environment lovers who participated in the annual International Coastal Clean-up Day.

A group of people who participated in the clean-up in Paradise Valley.

THE community and companies partnered with the Cowies Hill Lions Club and the Uthekwane Conservancy for the annual International Coastal Clean-up Day on Saturday.

The project was held to help clean up the Allers and Umbilo Rivers which meander through numerous eThekwini Inner West suburbs before discharging into the sea.

Various groups met at Paradise Valley Nature Reserve, Ashley, New Germany and Clermont/Reservoir Hills despite the weekend rains. A couple from England who were in SA on vacation also rolled up their sleeves and assisted.

A total of 48 bags were collected as well as plastic piping and porcelain ware which were too big to bag.

Thelma Wyatt: “I have just moved from Johannesburg and I am here to clean-up the river and help the environment.”

Imran Bobat: “I am the CEO of the adventure company, Rocks and Root and we teamed up with the Lions Club as this is part of the International Coastal Clean-Up Day.”

Kloof High School pupils, Lusanda and Ayanda Zulu, Storm Geailey and Nathan Ogle.

Sibusiso Zondi: I came to clean up all the bottles which are hazardous to the environment. There is not enough food for the animals living in the water and this has a negative impact on global warming.”

Lyn Botha: I am a member of the Cowies Hill Lions Club and one of our service projects is to clean up the environment.”

Ntsikelelo Khwela: I am here to clean up as the environment is very dirty and species are dying in the rivers.

Linda Boorman: We are here on vacation from England and we heard about this project from a friend, Mark Liptroit and we decided to lend a hand.”

David Boorman: “I love the wildlife and to watch birds and butterflies so this is a good project to assist the wildlife live longer in a clean place.”

Cliff Wyatt: “I read the article in the Highway Mail and I there was an option to choose between four areas in the Highway area and I chose to come to Paradise Valley as I have not been here for 55 years.”