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wetlands in the Franschhoek Town Hall earlier last week.
He told the audience that wetlands were important filter systems that acted as huge sponges during the wet season that provided a stream of clean(ed) water to river systems. They also slowed the flow from the steep mountain slopes, thereby preventing erosion.
"Wetlands are very forgiving," said Buckle, adding that it was "almost never too late to rehabilitate a damaged wetland".
He pointed out that the current construction of the access road to the new dam site on the Berg River should not cause permanent damage to the wetland along the R45.
Buckle indicated that the wetland had already been bisected by the R301 between the Wemmershoek Primary School and the Wemmershoek Sawmill, but that work on the rehabilitation would start soon.
Some R300 000 had been made available for the clearing of alien vegetation in the wetland through the Working for Wetlands programme.
According to Buckle, the work had to start on the higher lying areas first (behind the Wemmershoek School), before the area under construction could be addressed.
Together with the signing of the agreement between TCTA and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, a new viewing platform in the wetlands, donated by TCTA, was also opened.
It is envisaged that local guides will be trained to accompany tourists to the platform, and later, on a boardwalk across the wetlands.
According to TCTA spokesperson George van der Merwe, the authority is "committed to sustainable environmental practices".
He expressed the hope that the proximity of the viewing platform to the Wemmershoek School would "foster increased environmental awareness amongst the learners". |