A CLEAN-UP initiative by the uMgeni Estuary Conservancy recently, although successful, resulted in some disturbing finds along the way.
Two other organisations, namely Wessa KZN and Adopt A River, also joined the clean up along the north side of Riverside, near the uMgeni Bird Park where they found plastic items, used condoms and human faeces.
READ ALSO: KZN Beach Clean Up calls on eco warriors to pitch in
Azile Mpukwana, project leader, encouraged all residents and businesses to keep the area as tidy as possible.
“We have been cleaning up since (last) Monday and the amount of condoms we have found is disturbing. All of this is going into our rivers. Please clean up and don’t dump in the area. All of this is harming our rivers,” said Mpukwana.
Margaret Burger, chairman for Wessa KZN and the uMgeni Estuary Conservancy said the aim of the initiative was to remove waste from the area before it gets into the rivers and oceans, under the programme Amanzi Ethu Nobunto.
“There is no proper waste collection from the informal settlement behind Quarry Road. Unless there is an agreement with the community, to get access to the area, it is very difficult to remove the waste. Sometimes contractors are also not reliable,” said Burger.
Disappointed by the filth in the area, Burger said with September being Tourist Month, getting the area as spick and span as possible was a brilliant initiative.
“Riverside Road has the potential to be an amazing tourist’s attraction. The bird park is part of the area’s history for many years and the cycle track from Riverside Road goes all the way to uShaka Beach. The beauty of it is that the area isn’t fenced off so you can literally experience the freedom and fresh air while you are cycling,” she said.
“I would love for schools to visit the bird park and learn his area, bird park, schools can visit and canoe to the other side of the river.”
“In my opinion there are social, economic and ecological problems in this area. Prostitution is an ongoing issue and we also found bits of car oil floating the water,” said Burger.
She added that if the river was taken care off by everyone, activities such as fishing, subsistence fishing, birding, paddling, cycling and social outings to the bird park would be possible for all.
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