In line with SANParks vision of reconnecting and inspiring society, jobless residents from the Garden Route town of Knysna have committed to cleaning the beaches and estuary as part of a pollution clean-up project initiated by SANParks. Garden Route National Park manager Megan Taplin said: “It’s important that residents of Knysna begin to reduce their own waste. A start could be buying loose fruit instead of the ones in plastic bags”.
The residents were grouped into seven teams, each made up of 10-12 members, focused on clearing waste that could have ended up in the estuary. The teams were placed at recreational areas, including Green Hole, Bollard Bay, Cathy’s Park and Coney Glen. The major litter items collected around the estuary were cigarette butts, cold drink lids, glass bottles and sweet packets. The teams also cleaned catchment areas of the Bigai River situated in Hornlee, the Bongani River situated in Khayalethu and the Salt River.
SANParks Spokesperson, Scott Ronaldson said that the teams collected 148 recycled bags of rubbish and 238 black bags during the end of December and beginning of January public holidays. “We have also been working well with the municipality’s solid waste department that sends a truck to collect the bags of waste daily,” added Ronaldson.
