Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
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25 Jan 2020

Plan to address damage to Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve

(Northglen News) Picture: Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve tour guide, Bongani Chisale and KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife officer, David Mnguni, show the extent of the damage to the wetland of the reserve.

WHILE much of the spotlight has been focused on the ongoing work to repair the M4 Ruth First Highway, little has been said about the damage done to the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve which lies directly below the collapsed highway.  The highway has been out of commission for more than a month since a partial collapse caused the closure of the route between uMhlanga and Sibaya.

In December last year, a portion of the M4 roadway that was washed away led to a mudslide which affected the 26 hectare reserve which is a sanctuary not only for small wildlife but also for a number of wetland and coastal forest species. Due to the collapse, a deluge of sand covered the reserve’s wetland said Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s Basil Pather.

“The sand plume has been particularly devastating to the wetland alongside the M4, where significant quantities of sediment filled it in flowing the wash away. The wetlands are an important feature of the Umhlanga Nature Reserve and it is not possible to quantify the impact it has had on wildlife and birds. Suffice to say, an important support habitat has been affected,” he explained.

Pather added a plan to restore the reserve’s wetland would be pursued once repair work to the damaged section of the highway was complete.

 

Online Article