Aliens to be removed from Berg River
2008-05-22
Lise Beyers
A PROJECT is currently under way to clear the banks of the Berg River from alien vegetation. This initiative is being undertaken by a community division of the Department of Water and Forestry, Working for Water (WFW). Through the years the banks have become overgrown by alien species such as wattle, blue gum and port jacksons. The aim of WFW is to rid the area of these invasive plants, which is a huge threat to the country’s biological biodiversity and water supply. According to WFW, it is estimated that 9000 plants have been introduced to South Africa, of which 198 are classified as invasive plants. These plants have spread at such a rapid rate that they now cover 10% of the country, and this rate will continue to increase if such eradication projects do not go ahead. WFW is a community project which since its inception in 1995 has cleared more than one million hectares of invasive alien plants, and in doing so, providing employment and training for more than 20 000 people. Currently employees of WFW are visiting farms from Franschhoek through to Wellington to assess the scale of invasive growth along the banks of the river here. Once the assessment is complete a contract is drawn up between the landowner and WFW in which both parties agree to various terms. The clearing will comprise of the entire banks of the Berg River, and up to 30 metres high. Once cleared, the banks will not be left barren, but indigenous vegetation will be established here. One farmer in Simondium, was however recently disturbed when he was visited by WFW officials, who informed him that part of the clearing will include the felling of a very pine tree as well as oak trees which were probably planted when the old farm house was built. But after explaining the matter of these ‘monuments’, as Olav Wolters of Kunnenburg farm in Simondium calls them, a compromise was reached and these trees will be saved. Verity Arends of WFW said that they are there to work hand in hand with the farmers during the project, and in doing so everybody’s needs will be accommodated. But the fact remains that the banks of the river will be a much richer environment once the aliens are removed.
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