Beautiful but unwanted
JOBURG – City Parks explains the different categories of invasive alien species and landowners' responsibilities.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo recently launched its National Invasive Plant project that aims to get landowners on board to control invasive plants.
“Invasive plant species management has been neglected in the past and now the government is trying to lead by example,” said Landiwe Mashige, City Parks manager of integrated catchment management.
Read also: Zoo lake festival yet another success
She explained that, in South Africa, invasive plants are regulated under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act and in the associated Alien and Invasive Species Regulations, which became law on 1 October 2014.
According to Mashige, it is the responsibility of the landowners to be accountable and declare alien species on work and residential properties. Therefore, landowners need to be aware of the different categories of invasive species and how to deal with them.
Read also: Joburg Zoo to the rescue
To discover which category invasive plant species fall into, visit the Environmental Affairs website where you can download a PDF file with each species divided into categories.
Category 1a: These species must be eradicated, any form of trade or planting is strictly prohibited
Category 1b: Species must be controlled and removed if possible. Planting and trade are prohibited
Category 2: Invasive species or potentially invasive species for which one would need a permit for restricted activity
Category 3: Species that may remain in certain areas or provinces, however, further planting or trade is prohibited.
Landowners are expected to declare invasive plant species in writing to the Department of Environmental Affairs. However, if the plant is small, landowners are encouraged to pull the plant out by the root, pick off the plant’s flowers and discard the plant and flowers in separate bags.
If the invasive species is a tree or large plant, landowners must contact the department, who will send out a compliance officer. The officer will compile a report on the situation and the matter will be taken from there. If it is decided to remove the plant, a team will come out at the landowner’s cost.
Permits for Category 2 species can be applied for at AISpermits@environment.gov.za
Details: AIScompliance@environment.gov.za; 012 399 9679.
Related stories: Alien on my stoep
