A DUNE rehabilitation iniative along uMhlanga’s coastline is enjoying unbridled success, thanks to a programme by locals. The project, which has been running for more than five years, has seen a dramatic increase in sand dune reclamation: in some areas from Eastmoor Crescent to Durban View Park six to eight metres have been gained.
What’s more, a section of the beach near the car park at the Durban View Park has seen one particular area reclaim more than 15 metres. The project has gained momentum and now covers almost 4km of uMhlanga’s shoreline.
“Key to the success has been the use of garden refuse, trimmings and off-cuts. It sounds like an odd solution, but it provides the perfect conditions for pioneering dune plants,” explained Dudley Horn.
uMhlanga residents, alongside Trevor Edwards, are part of Park to Park (PTP), which started the sand dune rehabilitation programme, which has helped improve the beach’s safety, cleanliness, ‘green’ status and environmental management.
“It may seem odd, but we ask residents of uMhlanga to bring their garden refuse to us. So we bunch things like branches, trimmings and palm fronds together. The covering then traps sand being carried by the wind. The sand covers the refuse, which forms a tiny lump, which is the start of a sand dune. The vegetation also traps moisture underneath the sand, which form perfect conditions for planting pioneer dune plants,” explained Horn.
The project started in 2007 after the stretch (between Durban View Park and Eastmoor Crescent) of beach was badly damaged by a storm.
At the time, the vegetation and the natural habitat of many of the animals that inhabited the mangroves and dunes were washed away. However, since then the duo, with the help of residents, dune experts and a host of other entities and helpers, has not looked back.
“The rehab programme has had a knock-on effect on the wildlife in the area. We’ve noticed that the blue duikers have returned. We’ve also noticed an increase in butterflies and insects using the dunes, which has brought about an increase in a number of birds in the area. We’ve also installed a few ponds in the area, which have brought legavaans and herons into the area.
“We keep having to remind ourselves how far we’ve come, and it’s a fantastic and fulfilling experience to have such a positive success story. Environmental sustainability is key for Park to Park, and the way forward is to continue with the rehabilitation and the reintroduction of plant species, which ultimately lead to an increase in biodiversity,” he said.
Horn added it was important to protect the coastline, and getting the dunes in good shape was vitally important.
