Learners from various schools in the Ikwezi area were eager to make their mark during Arbour week, earlier this month, by planting indigenous trees at their schools. In its bid to remain the greenest Province in South Africa, the Department of Environmental Affairs in the Eastern Cape together with the Ikwezi Municipality launched their “Alien Busters” initiative in the area, where they are taking strong action against Invasive Alien Plants (IAP). During Arbour Week 2012, the Alien Buster team visited selected areas and schools within the Ikwezi Municipality area educating the learners and community about IAPs and why it is important to eradicate them; topics such as the importance of indigenous trees, carbon dioxide imbalance as well as general appreciation and value for our environment also formed part of the information that was shared with the learners and community. Community members are encouraged to report anyone planting or selling IAPs within the Ikwezi Municipal area to the Municipality’s Community Services Directorate on 049-8360021
Job creation forms an important part of the Alien Buster project currently being undertaken in the Ikwezi Municipality area, where communities are being taught about the importance of eradicating Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs) and planting indigenous trees such as the Spekboom. “The cactus type plants such as the torch cactus that has been brought in from Mexico are the greatest plant invaders in the area,” says Sizwe Mngwevu, Mayor of the Ikwezi Local Municipality. “These plants threaten and deplete our water resources, which are already very limited. It is important for us to educate communities about the importance of eliminating these invasive plants, and why they should not be grown at home.” concludes Mngwevu.
Community members are encouraged to report anyone planting or selling IAPs within the Ikwezi Municipal area to the Municipality’s Community Services Directorate on 049-8360021
