Botanists and plant fundis got together to rescue indigenous plants of significance, over the weekend, prior to the construction of the Coega Development Corporation (Coega) plant in Zone 1, South of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
They rescued and conserved over 1500 indigenous plant species from the demarcated site.
They hailed from the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), the Eastern Province Bonsai Society and the Dendrological Society.
In addition to plant species, a puff adder, tortoise and scorpion, were also successfully relocated.
Andrea Von Holdt, Coega’s Environmental Manager, said “this project was a great opportunity to create awareness about the Eastern Cape Thicket vegetation and rescue plants. In terms of Section 63 of the Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance, 1974 (Ordinance 19 of 1974), Coega is in possession of a permit to remove protected plant species from areas where infrastructure will be constructed within the Coega SEZ.”
Von Holdt also said there is still an opportunity to rescue more plants before the site is developed.
“We are open to the involvement of external stakeholders and community members with an interest in biodiversity conservation. This is about ensuring that industrial expansion and nature co-exist. As Coega, we are a catalyst for the championing of socioeconomic development, but in that, we have a responsibility to help economic progress and environmental conservation occur in harmony” she said.
Picture: Supplied