City Parks and Zoo plants over 2 000 trees to re-green Midrand suburbs
"Without trees, the area was not looking good but with these trees, artistically the community will benefit," said Joseph Ndou.
Directly or indirectly, trees play a critical role in people’s, animals and nature’s well-being and biodiversity.
As a result of dead trees on the road reserves, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) is in the process of planting indigenous celtis africana (white stinkwood) trees in Vorna Valley.
The aim is to mitigate climate change while re-greening the area of Vorna Valley.
Road reserves on Allandale Road, Albertyn and Moerdyk Streets and Le Roux Avenue are some of the other roads where these trees will be planted.
Regional director of City Parks and Zoo Dr Joseph Ndou said they are planting trees after getting requests from residents.
He mentioned that the dead trees did not die naturally but as a result of illegally being pruned, which led to their death.
Ndou added that they were planning to plant about 2 800 trees around Vorna Valley and between now and June next year, their target is to plant 8 000 trees in Region A.
“There are a lot of dead trees on the road reserves. And this is also part of us replacing those dead trees. The benefits, therefore, are that it will improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide because of high traffic volumes. The trees will also assist in soil erosion, reduction of flooding and it will also attract birds to live in the area.”
He said without trees, the area was not looking good but with these new trees, artistically the community will benefit.
However, illegal pruning of the trees and thus killing them will not be tolerated. Ndou said they were taking serious measures against people who prune trees illegally by opening criminal cases with the authorities.
“In terms of maintenance, we now have a proactive trees maintenance programme, which is ward-based. This helps us ensure that we do not miss out on any trees that need maintenance. All the newly planted trees will be watered once a week, especially when there is no rain.”
Ndou urged the community to look after the new trees and report any illegal cut-down of them to City Parks and Zoo.
Related article:
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City Parks and Zoo plans to plant 1 000 trees in Midrand
