Cathkin conservancy was started in 2016, and is affiliated with conservancies KZN. We aim to conserve the biodiversity and the natural eco systems within the Cathkin Park area, for the benefit of present and future generations through collective management.
Our objectives lie in:
All conservancies are communities, but not all communities are conservancies. Conservancies KZN hope to be recognized, significant and sustained contributors to environmental planning and management in KZN. They are the largest and most active voluntary conservation organization in South Africa, linking local communities, conservation and sustainable livelihoods to address environmental and economic challenges. Cathkin Conservancy are proud members of the conservancies KZN community.
The uthukhela district has exceptional heterogeneity in habitat, which translates into rich vegetation diversity. It comprises of low altitude dense bushveld, savannah and grasslands which extend up to high altitude montana and alpine grasslands including significant pockets of indigenous forests. Approximately half of the vegetation types found within the district are classified as being endangered or vulnerable.
The Drakensberg is characterized by Drakensberg afro-alpine heathland on the escarpment, ukhahlamba basalt grassland and northern drakensberg highland grassland on the slopes and foothills. The central area extending from the foothills of the drakensberg is primarily northern kwazulu-natal moist grassland. The north-eastern area is thukela thornveld and the north-western area is drakensberg montane shrubland in the upper reaches and low escarpment moist grassland on the slopes.
Okhahlamba area is characterised by grassland although valley bushveld intrudes into the eastern portion of the thukela valley. The drakensberg has great diversity in plant communities with some species only endemic to the drakensberg mountain range. It comprises predominantly endangered and vulnerable vegetation types, and contains exceptionally rich floral and faunal species diversity.
According to the uthukela biodiversity sector plan the drakensburg region is considered a hotspot for amphibians and bird diversity such as cape and beared vultures as well as black eagles which nest on the cliffs along the drakensburg escarpment. Invertebrates have not yet been listed. Many of the birds that are found within the okhahlamba region require large areas of natural habitat so to ensure their viability. Therefore, the protection and management of habitat within the municipality is critical in this regard so to ensure the conservation of the faunal species listed above.
The world heritage site is known to protect populations of mammal endangered species such as the oribi, white tailed rat and the cape mole rat; one vulnerable species the makwassie musk shrew and 4 nearly threatened species the geoffrey horseshoe bat, spotted necked otter and the water rat. Bearded vulture, cape vulture and southern ground hornbills
We have engaged professional water testing companies to guide our river and stream management. We celebrated international Action for rivers day and encouraged the community to clean up our river banks, practice effective septic tank and sewage treatment, be mindful of harmful agri- chemicals that affect our natural water sources and eco systems.
The Drakensberg mountain range is the main water shed that defines our water catchment area for South Africa. It is the source of KZN water and supplies many parts of our country with water.
THUKELA WATER MANAGEMENT AREA
The municipality is also located in the thukela water management area (wma). The thukela river forms part of the thukela river catchment, which is approximately 30 000 km2 in extent. The uthukela emf (2013) notes that the upper thukela catchment area is by far the most strategically important catchment area within the utdm as it is the source of the water for the thukela-vaal transfer scheme. This scheme transfers water to the vaal river system to augment the supply to gauteng and free state provinces. The transfer water represents up to 30% of the total volume of surface water for these areas (dwa, 2004). The diversity of aquatic and wetland habitat units supports a great diversity of faunal and floral species. This is due to the area incorporating both subtropical and temperate features, which are governed by the dramatic changes in topographical features from the high-lying mountainous areas in the south-west and south of the drakensberg range, to flat areas in the northern and eastern coastal areas. (uthukela emf, 2013)
WATER SUPPLY
The major watercourse of the Okhahlamba Local Municipality, as well as the UTDM is the Tugela (uThukela or Thukela) River
Two major impoundments occur along the thukela river within the western central areas of okhahlamba, namely woodstock dam and spioenkop dam. (uthukela emf, 2015) the utdm emf further notes that the district is rich in wetland habitat, with the catchment area being regarded as a region with a high water supply. Just the udp area is reported to have a water yield of approximately 7000 m3/ha/year. The park area has a mar of approximately 1722 x 106 m3/year (bainbridge, 1982 as in uthukela emf, 2013).
There are four inter-basin transfer schemes, which serve as the largest components of existing water development infrastructure and they are namely:
Monthly events that involve either invited guest speakers or presentations by ourselves on topics of interest or a newsletter to create awareness among our community. Our awareness talks provoke great community togetherness and a shared loved for our space and the special fauna and flora we share it with. Please follow us on social media.
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This membership fee is for small businesses/ establishments (ie. hospitality establishments with 1-20 rooms)
This plan is for large businesses/establishments (ie. hospitality establishments with more than 20 rooms)
