GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The event programme for the launch of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) in Mossel Bay during December last year was packed with national and regional environmental scientists and specialists, according to Cobus Meiring of the forum's secretariat.
"The GREF is a regional forum for collaboration in conservation, environmental adaptation and community interaction. The forum aims to coordinate regional conservation efforts, serve as a catalyst to drive climate adaption practices in the Southern Cape and strive to establish a better-coordinated approach to environmental management," Meiring explained.
Addressing various subjects relevant to the Garden Route environment, there was a common thread throughout all the presentations, namely that unless we take note of the various factors changing our environment, and plan well ahead in accordance, we are heading for an uncertain future, said Meiring.
'Unsuitable for large populations'
Poor in infrastructure and resources, including fresh water, the Garden Route is not suitable nor capable of sustaining large populations, he continued.
Climate change is partly to blame for the drying out of the western and northern parts of the Garden Route, and the demise of agriculture in badly affected areas are real and seemingly irreversible, as farmers and those dependent on making a living off the land are forced to make a new start elsewhere.
Meiring said that the steady economic demise of the Eastern Cape is not doing the Southern and Western Cape any favours as rural populations move south in the hope of finding a better life.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) was launched in December 2018. GREF is an environmental coordinating body, mandated by the Garden Route District Municipality. Photo: Supplied
Cities such as East London and Nelson Mandela Bay are much better suited to accommodate vast populations in coming years, but continued political uncertainty, regional mismanagement and failure to increase economic growth options leave rural communities no choice but to migrate from the province.
'Realise value of natural resources'
"True to RSA politics, the national discourse does not recognise the imminent dangers to the population brought about by climate change and urban migration, and the inability of the government to plan for and address the demands of the future is alarming."
"Enhanced populist policies, increased racial tension and economic divisions are drawing attention away from ensuring a resilient environment where the RSA population may stand a better chance of survival."
The Garden Route population must realise the value of its natural resources and the importance of the protection and management thereof. Ensuring that mountain catchments, rivers and seep lines are clear of invasive alien forests depleting freshwater resources and posing severe fire risks, are perhaps the most important environmental management challenge, Meiring concluded.
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