The Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (Dardlea) has urged all community members to stop creating illegal dumpsites, as they are harmful to the environment.

Dardlea’s spokesperson, Zanele Shabangu, said, “Our environmental services team collaborated with the City of Mbombela and other key stakeholders to raise awareness about the benefits of preserving wetlands and grasslands.

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“The awareness campaign also dealt with major threats that degrade these twin treasures.”
Shabangu said the campaign formed part of observing World Wetlands Day, celebrated annually on February 2.
“The activities on the day included a clean-up campaign in the area, and planting indigenous trees at John Mdluli Primary School and at a local church. This was to encourage learners and the community to play their part in promoting a healthy ecosystem.”

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The stakeholders who assisted with the clean-up included Working on Fire, the South African National Biodiversity Institute, the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency and Hall’s Properties.