Krantzkloof Nature Reserve blocks illegal entrants

VISITORS to the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, many of whom live near access points dotted around the local reserve have voiced their concerns at the sudden installation of barbed wire fencing and unmonitored locked gates.

“The management of Krantzkloof Nature Reserve (KKNR), under the auspices of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, proudly unveiled another razor-riddled fence, a towering locked gate and small-print legalistic notice ensuring that the many visitors to KKNR, via the Uve Road entrance, had a wasted trip.

This popular, well-used access gate to/from neighbouring Molweni community, offering community members a vital right of way, and providing nature lovers, hikers, rock-climbers, trail-runners, families and local residents a variety of outdoor activities, was now blocked off.

The Uve Road entrance to KKNR is permanently closed,” said Kloof resident, Cecily Salmon.

According to the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife's head of corporate affairs, Musa Mntambo, there are only two official entrances the public can use to gain access to the reserve.

Musa noted the Uve Road entrance is not an official public entrance and is one of a number of management gates into the reserve. He noted that the reserve is open to the public for hiking and related activities, but its picnic sites are not open for use.

Management gates are upgraded where there have been high numbers of people gaining access into the reserve illegally,” said Musa. “Both official entrances have been open to the public since we opened the reserve again. Any person who pays the required entrance fee, or is in possession of a valid Rhino Card, and has completed the visitor information register, can enter the reserve.”

Salmon noted there were numerous constructive and positive ideas have been shared by would-be visitors to the reserve to make the UVE Road entrance safe and manageable. “This access point is particularly important as it offers a gentle walk through the rare KZN sandstone sourveld grassland for people who would be unable to manage the more arduous hikes from the other entrances, specifically those with young children, older people and people with disabilities.

However, people also express great anger and how this closure has happened, especially those who have invested considerable amounts of their own time and resources in supporting KKNR in a variety of ways,” she said.

Kloof resident and a staunch supporter of the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, Cecily Salmon says she is shocked by the sudden closure of the Uve Road entrance to the reserve.

This popular, well-used access gate to/from neighbouring Molweni community, offering community members a vital right of way, and providing nature lovers, hikers, rock-climbers, trail-runners, families and local residents a variety of outdoor activities, was now blocked off. The Uve Road entrance to KKNR is permanently closed,” said Kloof resident, Cecily Salmon.

According to the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s head of corporate affairs, Musa Mntambo, there are only two official entrances the public can use to gain access to the reserve.

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“Management gates are upgraded where there have been high numbers of people gaining access into the reserve illegally,” said Musa. “Both official entrances have been open to the public since we opened the reserve again. Any person who pays the required entrance fee, or is in possession of a valid Rhino Card, and has completed the visitor information register, can enter the reserve.”

Salmon noted there were numerous constructive and positive ideas have been shared by would-be visitors to the reserve to make the UVE Road entrance safe and manageable.

“This access point is particularly important as it offers a gentle walk through the rare KZN sandstone sourveld grassland for people who would be unable to manage the more arduous hikes from the other entrances, specifically those with young children, older people and people with disabilities. However, people also express great anger and how this closure has happened, especially those who have invested considerable amounts of their own time and resources in supporting KKNR in a variety of ways,” she said.

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