Mokopane residents urged to take hands to make new Eco Park a reality
A piece of open field that's becoming a dumping site and where thugs hide in Kameeldoring Park could become one of Mokopane's first Eco Parks.
MOKOPANE – Riaan van Zyl, a resident of Kameeldoring Park who is also involved in the Mogalakwena Platinum Mine’s Environmental Education Centre, presented his dream of the Eco Park to the community at a social event in Kameeldoring Park earlier this month. “If the community stand together and take hands this could become one of the main attractions in Mokopane.”
Riaan’s plans include a wetland area for water birds and a bird hide for the fanatic birdwatcher or photographer, an outdoor gym area and a jungle gym for children. “We also look to take hands with various outdoor activity clubs, such as the cycling club and athletic clubs that can assist us to lay out a trail for runners and an obstacle course for mountain bikers. There will be a walk way with benches along the route to accommodate the elderly and also people with dogs. Indigenous trees will be identified with name tags and facts about the trees.”
Riaan said this piece of land is biodiversity rich and have 43 indigenous trees and shrubs, 10 indigenous grass species, 140 bird species and are also a breeding area for owls. You will also find various reptiles in the area such as snakes, lizards, monitor lizards, geckos, tree agamas, amphibians and insects. Mammal species that are roaming this area are porcupines, slender mongoose, tree squirrels, vervet monkey’s, steenbok, duiker, warthogs and smaller mammals like mice, rats and bats. “We will install bat and owl boxes to attract these animals.
This can be a very important education area for schools that can bring learners for ecological outings.”
Riaan admits it is a challenge but not impossible. “This will secure the area as there will be regular feet. It can also be an economic injection for our town, because it will attract nature lovers to the area such as birdwatchers, photographers, runners and cyclists. The biggest challenge is the funding of such a project. I present this project to various individuals and organisations in town and it was well received.”
Organisations or businesses who want to get involved in this project can contact Riaan at 083 277 2105.
