Comments & Opinions

Ian Cormack wrote a letter into The Cape Times on January 28^th 2010 stating that “I can accept the botanical arguments about the Table Mountain bio zone, its uniqueness, the impact upon it of a wide range of alien species that outcompete local species for light, water and other nutrients and that increase fire risks. I can accept that the local species need protection and that culling alien’s species is a sound way of providing this protection. However, I am proposing that it does not automatically follow that every square meter of Table Mountain should be cleared of all aliens. I am proposing that the wishes of the city's residents should be taken into account in preserving areas where these aliens are so long-standing and attractive that they provide amenities and beauty to the city. I am thinking particularly of Rhodes Drive, the lower Tokai forest, the Cecilia forest, the area above Kirstenbosch and Newlands forest including those magnificent pines above the junction of the N2 and M3. These are all in residential areas where residents and visitors take walks or simply gaze in awe at the magnificent trees that populate these areas. To remove them would be an act of undemocratic vandalism no matter what the justification.” (Cool forest. 2010)

Doctor Tony Rebelo wrote into The Cape Times on February the 2^nd 2010 in reply to Ian’s statement stating that “To even suggest that pine plantations should be maintained in so threatened an ecosystem is incomprehensible. Imagine if this was a tropical forest: people would be up in arms at the wanton destruction of biodiversity. Instead, Capetonians complain that if they walk their dogs in Fynbos, then they have to walk in the sun. Shame!” (Cool forest. 2010)

(Cape Times. 2012)