A conservancy is a voluntary and co-operative environmental management of an area, largely overseen by the community and relevant stakeholders, and the registration of which is granted by the relevant provincial conservation bodies.
The conservancy will be named ‘iHlathi’ meaning ‘the forest’ in isiZulu.
Currently, the iHlathi Melrose-Birdhaven Conservancy is pending registration with the National Association of Conservancies (NACSSA), and aims to help develop a ‘green corridor’ between the urban nodes of Rosebank and Melrose Arch.
The initiative has partnered with City Parks and has the endorsement of the Melrose Residents Association, the Birdhaven Ratespayers’ Association, the Norwood Community Police Forum, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation.
The proposed area will encompass the RH Henderson Park, the James and Ethel Gray Park, the Sandspruit stream, and associated wetlands.
Peter Campbell, the recently retired chairman of the Birdhaven Ratepayers’ Association, has welcomed the establishment of the Conservancy.
“James and Ethel Gray Park is a vital lung in a crowded city, which the Birdhaven ratepayers have been battling to maintain in its pristine form,” he said.
Ward 74 councillor Jack Cooper is also supportive of iHlathi, “The establishment of the Conservancy is very much in the interests of the residents, and is an assurance to future generations that there will always be green spaces in a fast developing concrete environment. Likewise, the same applies to the Gardens Conservancy in Norwood, which is also in the process of formation” said Cooper.
Details: Markus Scheuermaier ihlathi.johannesburg@gmail.com
