Those against fynbos

The removal of the pine trees came as a shock to many frequent drivers and walkers around Tokai and Cecilia forest. The fact that the public had no knowledge of what was happening and were not informed before it occurred caused an upset among their respected communities. One day the trees were there and the next they were simply destroyed. Although there was in fact a document that was released in 2009, people were not aware that the act was going to be passed and ultimately become a law. The document stated that it was being released for “public comment” but it seemed that even those that were opposed to the act and commented on it, were ignored. As a result of this, came many people against the removal of the trees. 

The trees were planted in the forests in the 1800’s and are seen as having great historical and cultural value to the area. Not only are they massive in size but they are also so strikingly beautiful that it provides great scenery for the people walking through the forest and the people driving past it.   The fynbos that would be planted in its place would leave such a gaping space in both forests and would take away its beauty. After all, fynbos is a shrub and not a tree. Fynbos also has to be burned every decade to rejuvenate which many people living near the forest are nervous about. Even though the fires would be under control, the burning of the plants will still leave surrounding areas and homes with the affects of smoke and air pollution. People get nervous when they see fire, whether it is a controlled fire or a wild fire, they still feel on edge. This makes the plantation of more fynbos unsettling, knowing that it will have to be burned at some stage. Animals that have settled in the fynbos will be forcibly removed and forced to find a new settlement as well as some of the creatures even dying from the burning of the shrubs. It is claimed above, that if one of the pine trees were to catch on fire, it could spell disaster due to it being so close to urban areas, but people believe that the fynbos would have to be forcibly burned anyways so it doesn’t make much difference. (SANA. 2012)

Pictures personally took on Rhodes Drive

Pictures personally took on Rhodes Drive

(Totally Stoned. 2011)

This is a video of a mountain biker riding through tokai forest, it will give you a better  understanding of what the forest looks like today with the pine trees