Fears for West Rand reserve may come to nought
Conservationists are closer to realising their dream of a pioneering urban wildlife reserve on the West Rand, but believe their vision may be threatened if plans for a development cutting through the heart of it gets the go-ahead.
The national grasslands programme, run by the SA National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi), is preparing to undertake a feasibility study of the proposed 2 000-hectare reserve, which seeks to protect several rare bird species - including the famous black-eagle pair of Roodepoort - as well as mammal and plant species.
But as the study gets under way, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, the MEC of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), is considering an appeal by Suikerbos Valley Investments for its proposed Protea Dal Extension 1, a busi-ness and residential development tucked between the Roodekrans and Paardekraal ridges.
Local residents and conservation groups, however, argue that the reserve would not only be a tourism drawcard for Mogale City because of its large wildlife species, but would also protect threatened wildlife corridors.
The creation of such a reserve has the support of Mogale City as well as local landowners, and has been adopted as part of the Sanbi/GDARD grasslands programme.
Anthea Stephens, the head of the grasslands programme, says the reserve is a significant conservation site.
"It's flagged as one of the priority sites in the urban component of our programme. We want to look at getting as much land proclaimed under protected areas as possible, and we're working with private landowners and Mogale City.
"There is already a lot of support. You have 2 000ha of good-quality grassland vegetation that provides very essential ecosystem services - particularly in urban context - as an ecological corridor for the movement of species and for migration of plant species in the face of climate change."
The feasibility study, Stephens says, will address important issues about the management of the potential reserve, such as where its boundaries would be, and who would best run it.
"The land and reserve is under a lot of pressure," she says. "We want to see that where development happens, decisions are based on correct information."
Earlier this year, Mayathula-Khoza's department issued a negative record of decision against Protea Dal, stating that it would be located on an "untransformed Paardekraal Ridge that is considered to be part of the wildlife corridor important to connecting biodiversity in the areas" and would promote urban sprawl.
The development application was initially handled by Mabesa Consulting, which is run by Serge Mokonyane, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane's husband.
He says his firm is not involved in the appeal process.
"The assumption that the development will succeed because the premier is my wife is without any basis."
Conservationists argue that Protea Dal would be located on about 13ha of pristine grassland near the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, and could lead to the disappearance of the critically endangered grass owl.
Furthermore, the only known global population of an endemic orchid subspecies is situated in the area.
Arthur Albertson of the Black Eagle Project Roode-krans welcomes the grassland study as an encouraging sign that the authorities are fast-tracking their plans to allow |for the proper management and rehabilitation of the remaining areas of natural habitat, and for the establishment of the area as a recreational, educational and tourism resource.
He says the department has already made a "positive and well-substantiated decision" to deny business and high-density residential development in Protea Dal and believes it is unnecessary to revisit the issue.
"It would be most inappropriate to allow a development like this in the middle of an unspoilt valley upstream from the Kingskloof conservation area."
Albertson says Protea Dal has endangered species and is home to rare wildlife species on the brink of disappearing from the Roodekrans Ridge.
What remains of the black eagles' habitat is crucial to their continued survival in the area.
"It's becoming incredibly important to protect what remains of their hunting range."
MEC spokesman Lekola Makoko warns against speculation on the final outcome, but says the tender process for the grassland feasibility study will not be part of the MEC's consideration for Protea Dal.
"The MEC is considering the appeal? There is no basis to pre-empt the decision."
Suikerbos Valley Investments' appeal representative Cameron Cross, says his client can't comment at this stage and that it's still awaiting a decision.
The Star
Posted at 10:41AM Aug 30, 2010 by Editor in Cities and Towns |