Yesterday, I wrote about the felling of the Tokai and Cecilia plantations in the southern peninsula taking place over the next four to six weeks.

I was angry.

A forest loved by many was being cut down for the purpose of the environment, and I was heartbroken that no one could see this. I was heartbroken that people, so dedicated to preserving a future for their children, couldn’t see the fact that the trees being cut down have actually been doing more harm than good.

Comments like “f**k the fynbos” were embarrassing.

The Cape Floral Kingdom is recognised as one of six floral kingdoms in the world – and is the smallest. It is home to 9 000 vascular plant species, of which 69 percent are endemic. To not take these facts into account is to not respect the very natural heritage which surrounds you.

To say “f**k the fynbos” is to pretty much imply that it plays no role in your life, and you would do better without it. But without it the Cape you love would not be as it is.

While trolling through social media yesterday, I came across a point made by a user on the Muizenberg Notice Board Facebook group – which I appreciated as much as the interview between John Robbie and Mishka Wazar:

Truth is certain facts need to be accepted:

The land is owned by the Dept of Agriculture Forestry and Fishing, and was leased to a private entity called MTO Group, which also owns Cape Pine. “Slow growing Cape Pine” was planted under the authority of DAFF, with the time of harvesting now realized.

The site is not part of a “protected forest,” but rather a “plantation.” Timber grown for economical reasons.

The lease is now coming to an end for MTO, of which the land must be returned to the DAFF. SANPARKS has been appointed to ensure the “cultivation” occurs according to contractual obligations, of which the land is then to be cleared and a controlled burn will take place to free up the stored, underlying natural seed bank.

The area will then be entrusted to SANPARKS for a conservation site, where natural Cape Sands Fynbos will be cultivated.

But that’s just the legality of the situation – what about the environmental impact?

Growing up with a father who was in the forestry industry, I learnt a lot about the immense depletion of our natural water supply because of alien species planted for commercial purposes, trees such as pines, blue gums, and port jackson willows. I grew up pulling out the alien saplings that germinated before any of the fynbos had a chance after the fires.

When I reported on the situation yesterday I naively thought this was obvious to everyone. But alas.

Here’s a breakdown on the water issue, made by a commenter on said Facebook post:

All the water that the pines are drinking will now flow down into our estuaries, improve the hydraulics and provide homes and refuge for migrating water birds. The owls will find alternative accommodation quite readily

The water will run into the Princess Kasteel and other systems and eventually into Zandvlei which will create a better “head of pressure” on water flowing through and make the estuary better.
It is not about water staying in the estuary but moving through it.

I speak here of the ecological aspect – fynbos is one of our more precious inheritances, and if you love Cape Town as much as you say you do, you will understand that the natural plant life that thrives in the area is more important than a plantation of pines planted to make money (because they were always going to be cut down).

This is not, at all, to suggest that crime in the area should not be taken seriously – I think in light of recent tragic events we need to be more vigilant than ever.

But I do hope you make as much of an effort to protect our local endangered species and curb illegal activities, starting with the removal of the pines.

Here’s a little list of things you can be aware of (concerning land-issues, not ocean):

• the illegal selling of white inca lilies which are home to an endangered frog
• the lack of awareness of the Western Cape Leopard Toad
• the illegal picking of Protea flowers
• the threats humankind makes to the Fish Eagle and other birds species
• the threat to the Cape Dune Mole
• the road killing of wildlife, such as frogs, snakes and porcupines
• the shooting and killing of baboons
• the planting of alien vegetation that suffocates indigenous plants

I never meant to belittle anyone’s relationship with the pines. I just had difficulty relating to such a blind outcry over illegal trees when there is so much else to consider.