Province takes pride in its nature
She urged the community to live in harmony with nature, to take a good care of the environment and not to litter anywhere near rivers.
MBOMBELA- Mpumalanga province prides itself on its natural resources including lakes, wetlands, variety of bird species, frogs and crabs, which also serve as a tourist attraction to the province, hence the need to conserve and preserve nature.
This was heard during the recent celebration of Grassland Week and National Wetlands Day at Chrissiesmeer
in the Msukaligwa Local Municipality on February 5.
The Head of Department in the office of the MEC for agriculture, rural development, land and environmental
affairs (Dardlea) Sindisiwe Xulu said Mpumalanga is the first and only province in the country to declare and celebrate a provincial Grassland Week in combination with National Wetlands Day, which is
celebrated internationally on February 2.
The day was celebrated under the theme “Mpumalanga Twin Treasures – Wings over Mpumalanga”. “With this theme, the department aims to raise awareness and build capacity on the grassland and wetlands, including the avifaunal or bird richness of the province as they are part of the important ecosystem services vital for man, the environment and the economy,” explained Xulu.
Classifying wetlands as wastelands should be avoided as wetlands play an important biological, cultural, economic, aesthetic and spiritual role. Wetlands are also guaranteed to help recharge the ground water levels in any country thus ensuring better food security and increased water availability Xulu also called non-government organisation, the community and government to work together in protecting wetlands.
“Programmes run in schools must also play a role in targeting the youth to protect the environment in whatever way we can.”
She urged the community to live in harmony with nature. “Take care of the environment, don’t just throw waste anywhere and near rivers,” she said. She also urged the community to coin indigenous names for the newly found frog species in Chrissiesmeer. Dave Rathbone, a representative from Matotoland Tourism, pleaded with the government to put aside resources to allow for the growth of the area.
