Mangrove’s habitat at stake
Local environmentalist, Dave Henry, and Durban North councillor, Shaun Ryley, have raised concern regarding the deterioration of the Beachwood Mangrove habitat.
ENVIRONMENTALIST and former Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) chairman, Dave Henry, has called for the community to help restore the Beachwood Mangroves. According to Henry, the natural habitat of the mangroves deteriorated significantly since the construction of the interchange off Broadway onto the M4 was completed more than 30 years ago.
During the construction, a culvert was built to allow the stream flowing from the Beachwood Country Club to run underneath the interchange, but this has restricted the flow of the stream significantly, creating a silt trap.
Furthermore, storm water from Mildene Park was also canalised towards the stream, allowing additional silt and litter to clog the system. Alien plants were also introduced into the ecological environment.
“The blockage prevents fresh water from depositing into the Umgeni River, and has also blocked the high tides from washing sea water into the river, creating a freshwater environment, which can’t sustain the mangrove trees. As a result, hibiscus and other invasive plants have begun to encroach on the area,” said Henry.
Approximately six years ago the silt was dug out to try and rehabilitate the area, but the silt has once again built up below the culvert.
“This was merely a way of addressing the result, not the cause, which costs more time, funds and effort in the long run. We need to find a permanent solution,” he said.
Henry estimated that more than 1.5m of silt had been deposited in the last six years.
Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley, has backed Henry’s appeal. “It is a pity to see the reserve in such a state. It has so much potential, but it needs someone or a society to drive the initiative; to raise the funds needed to restore the reserve to its former glory,” said Ryley.
