CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AGENCY (BGCMA), SET TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN MANAGING NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE SOUTHERN CAPE WATER MANAGEMENT AREA
Recently established in the Southern Cape, with a permanent office in George (head office in Worcester), the Breede Gouritz River Catchment Management Agency (BGCMA), is in the final phase of development of its overarching strategy document.
The primary role of the (Breede/ Gouritz) Catchment Management Agency is to manage the water resources in the Breede and Gouritz river catchments. The management of the BCGMA is an overarching function, and includes (amongst others), licensing of water use, water quality, how much water is allocated, where does it come from, rules and regulations, what happens in the rivers, wetlands and streams.
Factors such as storm water drainage, sewage works, effluent, agricultural use, industry, human consumption, groundwater etc. are also part of what is managed by the BGCMA
Where do invasive alien plants fit into managing catchments?
Invasive alien plants are recognized as a primary threat to water security, and because of the detrimental effect of invasive alien plants (IAP’s) on available water resources, the management thereof is an integral part of the BGCMA strategy.
BGCMA recognizes the fact that in much of the geographical footprint under its management, invasive alien plants pose the biggest threat to regional water resources.
Representing participating entities, Cobus Meiring, of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI), provided input to the most recent BGCMA (reference group) stake holder meeting, hosted in Riversdale.
Says Meiring, “Central to SCLI concerns is that national government’s efforts to control IAP’s, through its Working for Water initiative, is not making inroads into the problem”.
Large sections of the Outeniqua Mountains and catchments are infested by invasives, with no government body taking responsibility for managing the land.
The Outeniqua mountains is a strategic water resource area (generating exceptionally high rainfall), and a lot more should be done to more effectively protect the natural infrastructure and services provided by the mountains.
Taking into account that there is continuous increased pressure on existing water supplies, it is worrying that vast amounts of water are consumed by invasives.
Making matters worse, is the fact that indigenous biodiversity (such as the Fynbos eco- system), is being diminished by IAP’s, resultant in a shrinking conservation footprint.
The Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI), is a public platform for landowners and land managers with an interest in the control and eradication of Invasive Alien Plants SCLI is supported by the Table Mountain Fund (TMF).