Durban North: graveyard of trees
Durban North residents take a stand against 'willy nilly' tree felling.
MORE than 30 trees have been felled in the last month in the Durban North area. The seemingly ‘willy nilly’ cutting down of trees has left several residents and environmentalists despondent and angry. The Northglen News met with two residents recently who have both taken unique approaches to highlight the plight of the barren landscape beginning to take shape in the area.
Steven Entwistle, an environmentalist and animal lover, said he has begun documenting the various stumps around the area with the aim of putting up posters showing what he refers to as ‘the graveyard of the trees’.
“I’ve counted 30 stumps so far and I haven’t finished yet. The rate at which the trees have been felled in the area is shocking. This area used to be a leafy suburb but the rate at which we are destroying the trees highlights the plight of our urban wildlife and the lack of respect we have for nature.
“In some cases the decisions given for cutting down the trees don’t make sense. We should be protecting our trees not chopping them down at a rate of knots. Everybody talks about educating the masses, but even the educated need to be educated. While we may not see it, there are thousands of species of insects, birds and other animals that use trees to roost, rest or inhabit. We are destroying the vegetation these animals rely on for survival,” Entwistle said.
Siva Naidoo, who lives on Burleigh Crescent, has started an online petition which he hopes to submit to the eThekwini Municipality showing residents anger to the cutting down of trees.
He believes poor policing and enforcement is aiding some residents using illegal tree fellers to take down trees.
“What we have in this area, we are very lucky to have it, we should cherish it. The Municipality needs to step up to the plate to do something about the situation. My wife and I bought a house in the area because of the trees and nature. Surely there must be some sort of process to follow.
“Some of these trees have been here before even my grandparents, and I’m deeply saddened by what’s happened. There are very few big indigenous trees left around KZN. Respecting and caring for our environment today means we and our children will have a better quality of life tomorrow,” he concluded.
To sign Naidoo’s petition, visit https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-durban- norths-sidewalk-trees.html.
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