Dead end for aliens
Members of local conservancies and other like-minded individuals were given insight on plot clearing.
THE Umtentweni Conservancy, a non profit organisation headed by Alex Skene, was tasked by Hibiscus Coast Municipality to undertake plot clearing from Oslo Beach to Hibberdene.
At a site meeting at Woodgrange-on-Sea on Tuesday last week, Alex explained to a number of enthusiastic representatives from local conservancies how his organisation operates.
“The plot clearing project began 18 months ago with two clear objectives; to rid areas of alien plants and to clear plots. Our municipal manager, Max Mbili is one hundred percent behind our project,” said Mr Skene.
When he begins work on a plot, Alex divides his workforce into two teams of six. Each team is equipped with brush cutters, knapsacks, chainsaws, cane knives, steel and plastic rakes and personal protection equipment.
Depending on the size of a plot, the teams gather between 10 to 65 bags of dirt, pack them neatly on the side of the road where HCM trucks collect them. Alex mentioned that the entire plot clearing system works on lot numbers.
“I identify plots that need to be cleaned and report those to HCM, which in turn sends a letter to the owner of the property. If the owner does not respond within two weeks, HCM hands him/her to the incumbent, who then processes an order number for Umtentweni Conservancy to start the plot clearing process,” he said.
The conservancy then bills HCM, who bills the property owner. Local conservationist Dave Hallé complimented Alex and Umtentweni Conservancy for the excellent work they are undertaking in sprucing up the Hibiscus Coast. “This is one of the very best alien invader removal programmes we could have dreamed off,” he said.
