Klip River eco-system to be restored
Plans are underway to improve the water quality of the Klip River and consequently, rehabilitate the Klip River wetlands.
THE Klip River and its eco-system have certainly been in better conditions in the past. Thankfully, some insight has been taken by a few groups and individuals who care for the environment, and plans are underway to improve the water quality of the Klip River and consequently, rehabilitate the Klip River wetlands.
This idea has been dubbed the KlipWaS (Klip River Water Stewardship) Initiative. On February 8, a meeting was held at the Lido Hotel where this idea was discussed and elaborated on among its involved partners. Andrew Barker, chairperson of KlipSA (Klipriviersberg Sustainability Association), led the discussions with informative presentations.
Along with KlipSA, a few concerned residents, community members, environmental conservation enthusiasts and academics, the main partners in this initiative are CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), The University of Johannesburg (UJ), PEETS (Process, Energy & Environment Technology Station) and iProp.
Informative presentation
Andrew Barker discussed lots of information through a presentation that he compiled on behalf of KlipSA. A brief review of all this information follows below.
Johannesburg South has large open tracts of unspoilt land, stretching from the Klipriviersberg hill-range in the north to the Klip River and further south. The area is rich in natural resources, varying from the Klipriviersberg hill-range and its trees to grasslands and wetlands, to abundant birdlife along the Klip River. It contains threatened species as well as numerous heritage sites and extensive areas of land with high agricultural potential.
The Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, 680ha in extent and the largest proclaimed nature reserve in Johannesburg, lies at the centre of the area. The reserve, in which a variety of game roams freely, is a unique urban conservation jewel. Its sustainability heavily depends on the Klip River, its fluid sibling.
Due to dumping, mining, urbanisation and human settlement, the Klip River, specifically its wetlands, has been suffering. A proactive approach to promote, enhance and protect the Klipriviersberg and (the water and wetlands of) the Klip River, as well as its future economic and social development, is necessary.
The ideal solution at large would be to create an integrated management plan for these wetlands to improve the quality and quantity of the Klip River’s water, consequently stimulating economic and social development related to the wetlands.
To start it all off, KlipWaS’s first two projects will be to tackle and improve the condition of the Panorama Stream and its wetlands and clean the highly polluted discharge from the Joburg city centre from the Robinson Canal into the Crown Valley at the source of the Klip River.
Micro-organisms and other water-life are being negatively affected – not only in the Panorama Stream and Robinson Canal but consequently in the Klip River at large. This needs to change soon.
Ideas and suggestions
In response to micro-organisms and other water-life being under threat, Dr Kousar Hoorzook (University of Johannesburg; PEETS) discussed how she and her Johannesburg University PhD-students would contribute towards solving this problem.
The water from the Panorama Stream and Robinson Canal would be tested for further research and experimentation. Water would also be tested to determine the effects of the use of micro-organisms therein. These micro-organisms would then be further studied to determine the effect they have on other water-life, its microbiome and the eco-systems around it.
Other attendees’ suggestions brought up during the meeting included:
• Getting learners involved in KlipWaS for educational purposes;
• Using the waste and pollution from all the mentioned water bodies to create Eco Bricks (plastic bottles stuffed with non-biodegradable waste), which can be used as building material;
• Removing alien-invasion plants that are depleting ground water.
Become involved
If you care for the Klip River, its wetlands or the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, your involvement in the KlipWaS Initiative would be most welcome and appreciated.
If you own or know of a business willing to give monetary or resource sponsorships towards this initiative, that would also be most welcome. Please contact Andrew Barker on 083 274 4424 or chairman@klipsa.org.za
The next meeting will be held on March 8 from 10am at the Lido Hotel. For more information about future meetings, please contact Dennis Jane on 083 701 8856 or dkjane@global.co.za
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
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