Ecological burn scheduled for Cape Flats Nature Reserve, residents urged to submit comments
UWC has appealed to Cape Flats residents to submit comments and concerns following the announcement of a scheduled controlled burn of the Cape Flats Nature Reserve.
The Cape Flats Nature Reserve. Picture: X/@UWConline
CAPE TOWN - The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has appealed to Cape Flats residents to submit comments and concerns following the announcement of a scheduled controlled burn of the Cape Flats Nature Reserve.
The university has applied to the City of Cape Town for a permit to conduct an ecological burn between February and April 2024.
According to the institution, the process was scheduled to take place in 2023 but was postponed due to unfavourable weather conditions.
The vegetation on the university's property is the Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, which is unique to Cape Town's coastal areas.
UWC said the burn is necessary to assist with the re-establishment of the indigenous vegetation.
"Our endangered Cape Flats Dune Strandveld - there's only 46% left. It doesn't occur anywhere else in the world," said the university's Laurenda Van Breda.
"Unfortunately, that's less than half left. The worst part is that only 16% of it is formally being protected in a nature reserve. That is a large task for conservationists."
Residents have until 26 January to submit their comments in writing to bronwyn.davidson@capetown.gov.za or call 021 444 2914.