Desolate Durban North leaves resident despondent
Local resident says trees are being cut down at an alarming rate in the Durban North area.
A DURBAN North resident has raised concerns over the cutting down of trees in the area, in most cases without the municipality’s go-ahead. Siva Naidoo, who often walks with his wife in Durban North, said he was shocked at the rate at which trees were being cut down. Residents have also raised concerns about trees being cut down in Somerset Park as well as the trend of poisoning trees for a sea view.
“We bought a house in the area because of the trees and nature. In my opinion, it is one of a few areas that still has a pristine quality about it. However, what is appalling is the way in which sidewalk trees are being cut down. Surely there must be some sort of process to follow.
“Some of these trees took more than 20 years to grow like that – it is not like we can just plant more. I understand if the tree being chopped down is an alien invader species, but I’d like to know what right some people have to hire private contractors to cut down trees.
“Surely they cannot cause so much discomfort that they need to be completely chopped down; why not prune them?” an exacerbated Naidoo asked.
Of particular concern were four trees, three on the corner of Old Mill Way and Kenneth Kaunda, and one on Adelaide Tambo Drive.
Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley, explained that these trees were in fact cut down by the municipality.
“I enquired about these trees immediately and the parks department explained that residents had asked for the removal of the trees. In the case of Adelaide Tambo Drive, the tree was viewed as a security risk as criminals were scaling the tree to get into properties.
“There is cause for concern when residents, without consulting the municipality and of their own volition, use private contractors to chop down trees illegally. You can be fined for the destruction of property,” Ryley said.
uMhlanga ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, concurred with Ryley’s comments.
“I’d advise against anyone trying to cut down trees without the municipality’s consent. If trees continue to be cut down in this fashion we will have a barren landscape.
“Where the city is failing is the enforcement of its by-laws. The fines need to be stiffer to discourage residents from illegally cutting down trees outside their boundary walls,” he said.
