October 13, 2005
By Tshepiso Seopa
CITY Parks is taking on the aliens, and on Friday, 14 October, it will send its forces to eradicate invasive alien vegetation at Hymany Dam in Randpark Ridge.
The battle, which begins at 9am, is in line with the National Weedbuster Week programme, themed "Stop the invasive! Plant indigenous!"
Kader Asmal started the weedbuster programme in 1995, when he was minister of water affairs and forestry. He cut down the first tree that marked the launch of the programme.
Not a local plant, the port jackson
The campaign is a multi-departmental initiative led by the Department Of Water Affairs And Forestry, working with various partners and stakeholders.
Invasive alien plants are divided into a number of categories. In Johannesburg, for example, the jacaranda tree, currently in bloom across the city, is classified as a category three invasive plant.
The black wattle, found in many gardens, is classed as category one. Plants in this category need to be cleared off quickly.
According to Jenny Moodley, City Parks' spokesperson, "Invasive plants, particularly those that are in category one, consume a lot of water and are vigorous growers. Invading alien plants are highly adaptable and can invade a wide range of ecological places. Invaders, furthermore, cause erosion.
"It is important that residents in Johannesburg identify invasive species, eradicate them [from] their yards, and not plant them," she emphasized.
Invaders have few natural enemies; bear a lot of seeds and can outstrip local plants within a few years.
National Weedbuster Week runs until 16 October.
Communities are urged to:
- Plant indigenous species;
- Avoid buying invasive alien plants from nurseries and other outlets;
- Avoid bringing foreign plants or animals into the country;
- Talk to their neighbours so that the land is not invaded through seed pollution; and
- Join a volunteer clearing group and adopt a piece of land to keep it clear.
According to the department's
Working for Water website, category one plants are those that may no longer be grown or planted and must be removed and destroyed.
Category two plants (invader plants of commercial value) must be removed from suburban gardens and can only be grown with a permit in public spaces such as parks, schools and hospitals.
Category three plants (invader plants used as ornamentals) can no longer be planted or sold by nurseries, but may remain in your garden if kept under control.
For more information contact Working For Water on 0800 005 376 or visit the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry website for advice on invasive alien plants and how best to remove them.
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