Local Deforestation

In South Africa, on the 3^rd of April 2009, The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Marthinus Van Schalkwyk published a document that was to be released for 30 days for public comment. The document was titled “The 2nd draft of the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No.10 of 2004)”. It stated that plants would be placed in sections named “species exempted (section 66), prohibited alien species (section 67) and invasive species (section 70).” When looking at “invasive species (section 70)” all the plant species that were considered to be this, were placed under 3 categories:

“Category 1a: Invasive species requiring compulsory control. Remove and destroy. Any specimens of Category 1a listed species need, by law, to be eradicated from the environment. No permits will be issued.”

“Category 1b: Invasive species requiring compulsory control as part of an invasive species control programme. Remove and destroy. These plants are deemed to have such a high invasive potential that infestations can qualify to be placed under a government sponsored invasive species management programme. No permits will be issued.”

“Category 2: Invasive species regulated by area. A demarcation permit is required to import, possess, grow, breed, move, sell, buy or accept as a gift any plants listed as Category 2 plants. No permits will be issued for Cat 2 plants to exist in riparian zones.”

“Category 3: Invasive species regulated by activity. An individual plant permit is required to undertake any of the following restricted activities (import, possess, grow, breed, move, sell, buy or accept as a gift) involving a Category 3 species. No permits will be issued for Cat 3 plants to exist in riparian zones.”

(SANA. 2012)

There are currently 200 plants and trees that are in this section of “invasive species” and 100 of those are placed under category 1.  These plants and trees are constantly being demolished all over the Cape, but the biggest debate going, with regard to this act, is the one that takes place in Cecilia and Tokai forest. 

In Cape Town, if you were to take a long drive on Rhodes Drive and you will see the beauty that is the large pine trees surrounding the road. That is until you come across a very noticeable and enormous patch of empty land with no trees. These trees in Cecilia forest have all been cut down to make space for the plantation of fynbos. Not only in Cecilia forest are there visible patches of destroyed trees, but also in Tokai forest where there has been a drastic and large amount of deforestation occurring. (SANA. 2012)