Focus On: George Municipality alien vegetation management plan

GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality uses an alien vegetation management plan as a guideline for the implementation of alien clearing on all municipal properties.

The plan is approved by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and is in line with the Nemba legislation.

The plan includes a prioritisation of the areas according to the size, density and type of species and the risk associated with them, which includes risk to life as well as fire risk to life and infrastructure.

According to the manager of Parks and Recreation, Nosidima Vumindaba, the greater George is predominantly infested with black wattle, blue gum, pine, bug weed, American bramble and castor bean.

The clearing methods are felling and mechanical foliar application of chemicals.

The alien clearing is done according to the management plan, but also if a service delivery request is received and an assessment of the mentioned area shows that the infestation is critical.

The alien clearing operations include initial and follow-up clearing of alien invasive species. George Municipality makes use of an appointed service provider that is well experienced in undertaking the alien clearing on municipal properties.

George Municipality in collaboration with Sanbi has a team responsible for clearing emerging alien invasive species under the Early Detection and Rapid Response Project. A team is also clearing alien invasive species around the Garden Route Dam and the Kat River.

George Municipality is also in collaboration with various stakeholders in environmental awareness education on alien invasive species and the clearing methods for residents and landowners.

The environmental awareness is done through George Municipality communication platforms monthly.

Invasive alien plant species (IAPs) are among the biggest threats to biodiversity and alien clearing has many benefits to the environment, including reducing fire risks and groundwater retention.

The municipality encourages private property owners to also undertake alien clearing in their properties, as the seeds can disperse to the municipal properties that have been cleared and this will render the efforts of the municipality fruitless.