- The City of Cape Town has taken action against the illegal removal of trees in the Klaasenbosch Greenbelt, issuing a fine to the offender and launching a clean-up operation.
- The Recreation and Parks Department aims to restore the area while addressing community concerns about the restoration process and contractor selection.
- Local residents and environmentalists emphasize the importance of transparency and ecological integrity in future conservation efforts.
The City of Cape Town took decisive action in response to the illegal removal of trees in the Klaasenbosch Greenbelt, where several exotic trees were felled without authorisation by a landowner.
The Recreation and Parks Department has initiated a clean-up operation, emphasising the restoration of the surrounding indigenous scrub forest.
READ | Protected trees felled on Klaasenbosch greenbelt sparks public outrage
The City has issued a fine to the offender, and the compliance unit is working to recover estimated reinstatement costs of R70 000.
As Patricia van der Ross, Mayco member for community services and health, stated: “The swift action taken shows the City is serious about protecting our green spaces. The offender is being held accountable and we are committed to ensuring the clean-up process is executed sensitively to preserve the ecological integrity of the area.”
Clean-up
The clean-up involves careful removal of damaged trees and invasive plant species, with large tree trunks cut into manageable pieces to prevent additional landscape damage. Access to the area will be managed through existing paths to minimise disturbances to the indigenous vegetation.
Once the initial clean-up is completed the Recreation and Parks Department will lead restoration efforts.
“We aim to limit potential fuel loads for the upcoming fire season, particularly near the nearby electrical substation,” added Van der Ross.
Information signage has been placed in the area to keep residents and users informed of ongoing works.
The City has acknowledged the critical support of local conservation group Friends of Constantia Valley Greenbelt in these efforts.
Despite these measures, concerns have been raised about the handling of the incident.
Environmentalists and local residents have questioned the selection process for contractors and the adequacy of restoration funds.
One resident remarked: “It is essential to ensure transparency and proper oversight to prevent future violations.”
Moreover, concerns about the rehabilitation the timeframe of five to eight years have been voiced, with residents emphasising the need for a shaded canopy in this public recreation space. “Indigenous trees are slow-growing, and we must consider the ecological heritage of the area,” one ecologist said.
It is hoped lessons learnt from this incident will strengthen policies and practices to protect Cape Town’s natural spaces. “We feel excluded,” another concerned ecologist said. “Community involvement remains a crucial aspect of these conservation efforts.”
