There’s a strong focus on conserving and rehabilitating the area surrounding the new Outer West developments.
Anyone who has ventured west of the Crest recently will likely have said “there is a lot going on out there!” – with tales of massive earthworks, huge new buildings and news that the N3 upgrades have actually started. While these developments are the hot topic, much of the area remains as it has for many years; rolling hills dotted with homesteads interspersed with errant grazing cattle. There remain a few truly untouched spaces despite Durban’s westward expansion, and efforts are being made to conserve and rehabilitate them.
“There are some wonderful wild spaces in the Outer West that are not sufficiently appreciated or accessed,” says Paolo Candotti, chairman of the KZN Conservancies. “The Kwa-Ximba Conservancy was founded nine years ago by members of the local community who are trying to conserve the few remaining areas of indigenous land that lie along the Msunduzi River.”
Another area of environmental significance is the Bartlett Estate, recently bought by eThekwini Municipality and earmarked for formal protection. It contains a relatively undisturbed patch of KZN Sandstone Sourveld, one of very few in the area. KZN Sandstone Sourveld is one of the most threatened vegetation types in the province, and as the name suggested only found here.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal Centre for Functional Biodiversity conducted a “bio-blitz” – a rapid environmental survey – on the Bartlett Estate and recorded five rodent species, two shrew species and several larger mammal species such as Scrub Hare, Porcupine, Reedbuck and Grey Duiker. The botanists collected over 200 plants, including five red-listed species.
Witnessing the rapid development of the area, Merlog Foods became a founding member of the Hammarsdale Cato Ridge Development Association (HCRDA), an effort by business to engage productively with the challenges facing the area. Russell Hanger, MD of Merlog Foods, says “One can do nothing and simply complain or do something. And we’ve chosen to do something. We’re pleased with the number of firms that have joined the HCRDA, and with the positive response from the eThekwini Municipality to this initiative”.
Merlog Foods is spearheading an initiative to rehabilitate and conserve a large tract of Ngongoni veld that runs along the R103. John White of the HCRDA says “There has been lots of illegal dumping, sand mining and overgrazing. Alien-invasives have taken root, and now cover a few hectares. It should be knee-high grassland, but it’s head-high weeds in places. This all makes it dangerous for the community who use it as a thoroughfare. It runs along 1,6km of the Comrades Marathon route, and should have fantastic views across to the Umgeni and Msunduzi.”
With support from Merlog Foods, Cosworth Carriers and NCP Chlorchem, the HCRDA is working with eThekwini Municipality Cleansing and Solid Waste and the Metropolitan Police to drive enforcement of dumping by-laws. Local business Msenge Environmental Landscapes are rehabilitating and conserving it through clearing, landscaping and maintenance operations. “This is a good example of the private sector collaborating, taking the initiative and working with government and the community to make the area a better place to work and live,” says John.
Kelvin Kotze, development manager of the Hammarsdale Industrial Park, notes that “Our phase 1 development has 64 hectares of conservation servitude and is surrounded by more than 200 hectares of Durban Municipal Open System (DMOSS) ecologically sensitive area. Our owners and tenants are encouraged to adopt an eco-approach. We have guidelines and resources to support them in this regard. It makes business sense to adopt sustainable practices.”
FOR MORE INFO:
- www.hcrda.org
- John White: 083 710 7555
SUPPORT LOCAL
iSithumba Adventure Centre
With a conference centre, a 20 bed lodge and a restaurant, and offering a range of activities, this is a comfortable base from which to explore the area.
www.1000thrills.co.za; 083 650 2789
isiThumba Travels
Offers hiking and cycling tours that take in the iconic isiThumba mountain – a massive and imposing granite boulder, canoeing and swimming in the Umngeni river and authentic cultural tours.
www.isithumba.com: 065 936 4418
Kwa-Ximba Conservancy
Find Kwa-Ximba Conservancy on Facebook or call Simon Maphumlo on 083 737 6564.
Durban Ramblers Hiking Club
Visits to Bartlett Estate are facilitated by the Durban Ramblers Hiking Club. www.durbanramblers.co.za