THINGS are looking greener for the conservancies of the South Coast, particularly after a recent success in nipping illegal ‘muthi’ plant harvesting in the bud.
The newly appointed South Coast Conservancies Forum (SCCF) is to make this fight one of its main priorities.
Alex Skene, of Umtentweni, is the newly appointed chairman of the Forum. SCCF has much weight among the greenies as it is affiliated to the KZN Conservancy Association and KwaZulu-Natal Ezemvelo Wildlife.
The new committee is: vice chairman and events co-ordinator David Halle, secretary Anne Skelton, treasurer and education Stephanie Breedt, together with Morgan Naidoo who will head up pollution and water quality and Peter Vos as the scribe.
The SCCF will oversee the coast’s 16 urban conservancies, such as the Umtentweni, Bendigo, Trafalgar, Southbroom, Umzumbe, Red Desert, Paddock, Mbango, Umtamvuna, Leisure Bay, Palm Beach, Ramsgate, Kongweni, Ivungu, Marina Beach and Shelley Beach
The forum has many new projects planned for the next year, such as educating the public about the removal of alien/invasive plants, the habitat rehabilitation and maintenance of estuaries, coastal forest, grasslands, wetlands and rivers, along with flora and fauna projects and plant identification to name a few.
The conservancies’ proactive members recently seized 10 sacks of ‘muthi’ medicinal plants in Port Edward. The sacks, weighing at least 500kg were recovered after being illegally harvested in a nearby nature reserve.
The alleged ‘plant thieves’ were taken to the local police station and charged in terms of the KZN Nature Conservation Ordinance No 15 of 1974 for being in possession of protected/specially protected plants without a permit and trespassing. They will appear in court after further investigation.
The haul of muthi plants included 16 different species with some of the underground tubers estimated to be 10 years old.
Mr Skene said that harvesting ‘muthi’ plants has changed from being a localised customary practice for own consumption to a commercial enterprise on a large scale with these plants probably destined for the Durban markets.
“Harvesting on this commercial scale is not sustainable and will soon lead to a depletion in the local biodiversity with negative consequences for the ecosystem in this area,” he said.
A ‘cool’ educational place to take schoolchildren is Kinderstrand in Munster. This wonderful facility equipped with plenty of outdoor activities was completed back in 1942, and has always been a destination for disadvantaged children, to give them a holiday, and at the same time educate them about their surroundings.
With the same mission in mind they are now keen to expand this to emphasise conservation and the environment. Schools and orphanages regularly visit from KZN, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Free State. Interested schools can contact Stephanie Breedt at 083 3029382.
Don’t miss the conservancy’s unique stand at the Lions’ Show and if you are interested in becoming a member head down to the show for more information. Alex Skene can be contacted at 0785087290 or Dave Halle at 082 300 4283 if you need advice on an environmental problem in your area.
