SANParks leads big push to clean up Knysna

KNYSNA Honorary Rangers led a mass clean-up of the town in an effort to encourage active citizenry on World Environment Day.

Clean-ups planned by SANParks Honorary Rangers targeted upstream areas, the city centre and around the Knysna estuary. Of the 249 national estuaries forming part of a study conducted by independent researchers Jane Turpie and Barry Clarke (2007), the Knysna estuary was ranked number one in South Africa in terms of biodiversity significance.

The estuary is also home to 43% of South Africa’s plant and animal life, and supports rare fish species.

Honorary ranger Delle Henry said: “We started a string of conversations with pupils in Concordia High, Concordia Primary and Thembelitsha.”

On Tuesday, Percy Mdala High School and Chris Nissen Primary School also benefited from educational talks by SANParks rangers and the People and Conservation Department. Part of the campaign’s roll-out included roping in businesses via doorto-door action.

“Litter is our collective responsibility and everyone must play a role. We therefore plead with business owners to clean up in front of their shops and we appeal to everyone not to throw rubbish down stormwater drains.”

World Environment Day was used as a platform to raise awareness and action for the protection of the environment, under this year’s global theme of #beatairpollution.

SANParks chief executive officer Fundisile Mketeni said: “It is important for SANParks to commemorate this day, as it raises global awareness about taking positive action to protect the Earth.”