We live in the beautiful Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve known for its rich biodiversity, both flora and fauna. As custodians of the piece of this Biosphere in which we are privileged to live, we should take care to preserve the habitat of our local wildlife. As development increases and many new property owners simply denude their erfs of all natural vegetation, the habitat spaces for our wildlife are decreasing.
It is cause fora concern that residents are cutting down vegetation in the coastal public property areas. This is not permitted and we encourage everyone to respect this and refrain from doing it.
The Milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme) is afforded protection under the National Forests Act No 84 of 1998[1] and anyone contravening the provisions of this Act is guilty of an offence.
The BBRA is aware of incidents in which residents cut down vegetation in the coastal public property areas and the Environment Department of the Overstrand Municipality will follow up in this regard.
Let’s all make a special effort to focus on maintaining the existing living space and even on creating new habitat for our birds and other wildlife!
[1] National Forests Act No 84 of 1998 (Government Gazette No 19408, Pretoria, South Africa).