Court defends KZN Wetlands

2006-12-01 16:43

Pietermaritzburg - The Pietermaritzburg High Court interdicted on Friday Mkuze people from destroying indigenous vegetation in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park in order to plant vegetables.

The 48 people cited in court documents must travel at least five kilometres to the 2.7- and 0.22 hectare sites where vegetation has been cleared.

The sites are largely in watercourses, which would convey rainwater to Lake St Lucia, which is dangerously low.

Part of the area cleared consists of peat, which is very rare in South Africa.

Although the clearing and planting activities offend the World Heritage Convention and the National Environmental Acts, police have not been involved as the officials have decided to use a "soft" approach.

Clearing of indigenous vegetation

The indigenous plant clearing and vegetable cultivation were only discovered in the past month.

Cedric Coetzee, conservation office of KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Services, said illegal activities would harm the interests of the affected community in the long term.

The clearing of indigenous vegetation and vegetable cultivation would destroy sensitive areas and affect the tourism potential.

The government is keen to develop tourism as a lead economic activity.

The aim of the interdict is to ensure the conservation and preservation of the area and indigenous plants.

The area is part of the Mozambique-Swaziland-South Africa Lubombo Spatial Development interests. It will benefit present and future generations living in the area.

- SAPA