Widenham wetland on the South Coast to be proclaimed a protected area

DURBAN-THE eThekwini Municipality has moved to proclaim the Widenham Wetland on the South Coast a protected area.

The municipality tabled a report before a full council meeting last week on the proclamation.

The wetland is in ward 99 (eMkhomazi (Umkomaas) and Cragieburn).

The report said: “As part of the eThekwini Municipality's commitment to promote sustainable management of biodiversity and ecological infrastructure, it is recommended to proclaim Widenham Wetland as a protected area”.

It said this is in line with the requirements of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas that enable landowners to establish protected areas on properties regarded as crucial for biodiversity conservation.

“Proclamation of Widenham Wetland will assist in introducing systematic management of the wetland through development and implementation of the Wetlands Management Plan,” said the report.

It added that the executive committee supported the proclamation of the wetland as a protected environment.

The report said the city would conclude agreements with the KZN MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, under the National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act, which are part of proclamation and management of the Widenham Wetland as a Protected Environment.

“The executive committee agrees that the eThekwini Municipality accepts the appointment as the Management Authority of the Protected Environment, in terms of Section of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act.

“That authority is granted for the City Manager to endorse any agreements that may arise as a result of as well as other associated documents for the management of the Widenham Wetland,” it said.

THE MERCURY