Consultation over Tokai Forest needed

I HAVE used Tokai Park/Forest for many years for recreation.

I have no desire to see it turned to fynbos as has been suggested by the conservationists.

What I would like to see is shaded visibility provided by pruned, tall-stemmed trees, so I can recreate in comfort while seeing all around me and for some considerable distance.

What I do not want is hectares of fynbos which is dense, tall and dangerous.

We do not need another terrible incident as we had in March.

I have no objection to biodiversity, and I encourage it, but an all or nothing approach is unacceptable.

Likewise any approach that endangers users’ safety is unacceptable.

It should also be borne in mind the elderly and young need shade and a level area in which to recreate – and the open visibility and predominantly flat ground provided by the existing plantation goes a long way to meeting these needs.

Table Mountain National Park is an urban park and that means people’s needs need to be accommodated and given as much significance as biodiversity. CATHERINE LOMBERG Constantia,

AS SOMEONE who has used Tokai Forest for many years, I would like to enjoy it for recreation for many years to come – for myself, my children and my children’s children.

While there is a lot of talk about biodiversity, what about the people and community’s needs?

While I support controlled biodiversity, not the dense head height stuff that’s currently there, I’d like to also see the following in the area: Safety and visible patrolling. Areas for children to play. Shade provided by tall trees (which also provide visibility).

Grassed and shaded areas where families can picnic in safety.

A means whereby our children can learn about our various heritages so they appreciate our diversity and the history of Tokai.

A garden of remembrance so we never forget Franziska Blöchliger and all the other young girls so senselessly and brutally murdered.

Let Lower Tokai be a park for the people – the people of not just Tokai but Cape Town.

Let it be a place that is special and precious, rather than a place that is dangerous and important to only a group of conservationists.

Come on SANParks, let’s have balance, not fundamentalism. DEXTER RONIGER Constantia

I HAVE enjoyed using Lower Tokai Park/Tokai Forest for many years.

Now it appears we will shortly lose the last of our shaded recreation (and heritage) in the area.

In 2007, a management framework was negotiated for the area that allowed for biodiversity and shaded recreation – and included existing recreational activities.

Since last year’s fires, MTO Forestry will, in terms of their lease agreement, be felling the remaining pines and leaving the area before the end of the year.

Given that SANParks have started no new planting as per the management framework and we know the pines will be going soon, I would be keen to hear how SANParks plans to manage the implementation of the management framework.

Moreover, Friends of Tokai Park and other conservationists say the entire area is to be given over to fynbos.

If this is the case, it is directly counter to the management framework and changes of this nature cannot be made without a full public participation process.

The purpose of the Tokai Cecilia management framework was to achieve balance, and with it some degree of safety as created by the visibility provided by tall-stemmed trees.

Attempts to engage with SANParks by the organisation I belong to (Parkscape) have been ignored for the past four months. SANParks are legally obliged to engage with the public and affected interest groups.

We are all aware of the tragic incident of March when a young girl was murdered in the fynbos.

While I accept crime comes from outside the park, the unnaturally high and dense fynbos most certainly facilitated this heinous crime – and SANParks needs to do something to prevent a further incident.

So SANParks, will you tell the public your plans for the area?

And will you engage with Parkscape who represents about 2 000 people from across Cape Town?

And how will you ensure our safety? Moreover, we urge you to prevent MTO from felling until proper public engagement has taken place. COLLEEN HART Observatory