We'll take action against illegal waste dumping in Kruger
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 4:45 pm
2015-11-10 15:28
News24 Correspondent
Skukuza - South African conservation authorities have expressed concerns about contractors irresponsibly dumping waste materials in the iconic Kruger National Park.
South African National Parks spokesperson Isaac Phaahla said the park was aware of issues with contractors exploiting gravel pit sites and dumping prohibited materials such as steel, plastic, asbestos, domestic implements and sanitary fittings, a News24 Correspondent reported.
"We are in the process of investigating and monitoring. Action will be instituted against these perpetrators. There is an ongoing investigation to establish how many of these dump sites there might be," said Phaahla.
Phaahla’s comments come after Kruger Park tourist Gary Donian stumbled across a large waste site close to the Lower Sabie camp on November 5.
"I turned onto the S29 and a few hundred metres down the road there was a piece of wire. As I turned the corner, I was confronted with the most horrific scene of what looked like a rubbish dump strewn with building material and papers," said Donian.
Donian explained that he drove to Lower Sabie to report the finding to camp management.
"The camp manager insisted that it was a landfill and that it conformed with environmental laws. I took him to the site and he did not seem too concerned - only promising to install a no-entry sign. Surely this cannot be allowed to happen in the park," said Donian.
Phaahla said that the dump site in question was in a demarcated area.
He added that the Kruger Park would embark on a six-month long clean-up from January to June next year.
"All illegal materials will be removed from the Kruger. The only materials that will be retained include hardcore mortar, concrete and brick products that will be utilised for gravel pit rehabilitation," said Phaahla.
He said the clean-up programme would be implemented by the senior civil and building management in the Kruger, as well as water and waste management officials.
Source: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/ ... s-20151110
News24 Correspondent
Skukuza - South African conservation authorities have expressed concerns about contractors irresponsibly dumping waste materials in the iconic Kruger National Park.
South African National Parks spokesperson Isaac Phaahla said the park was aware of issues with contractors exploiting gravel pit sites and dumping prohibited materials such as steel, plastic, asbestos, domestic implements and sanitary fittings, a News24 Correspondent reported.
"We are in the process of investigating and monitoring. Action will be instituted against these perpetrators. There is an ongoing investigation to establish how many of these dump sites there might be," said Phaahla.
Phaahla’s comments come after Kruger Park tourist Gary Donian stumbled across a large waste site close to the Lower Sabie camp on November 5.
"I turned onto the S29 and a few hundred metres down the road there was a piece of wire. As I turned the corner, I was confronted with the most horrific scene of what looked like a rubbish dump strewn with building material and papers," said Donian.
Donian explained that he drove to Lower Sabie to report the finding to camp management.
"The camp manager insisted that it was a landfill and that it conformed with environmental laws. I took him to the site and he did not seem too concerned - only promising to install a no-entry sign. Surely this cannot be allowed to happen in the park," said Donian.
Phaahla said that the dump site in question was in a demarcated area.
He added that the Kruger Park would embark on a six-month long clean-up from January to June next year.
"All illegal materials will be removed from the Kruger. The only materials that will be retained include hardcore mortar, concrete and brick products that will be utilised for gravel pit rehabilitation," said Phaahla.
He said the clean-up programme would be implemented by the senior civil and building management in the Kruger, as well as water and waste management officials.
Source: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/ ... s-20151110
Would think that at least with all poaching patrols that security would be too tight for contractors to just be dumping and doing there own thing around the park ? I think this highlights a general problem in South Africa :
I like it, and SO true.
