[imagesource:x/cityofcapetown]

The Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve, a crown jewel of the Western Cape, was named 2021 Reserve of the Year.

The impressive sand dunes draw in thrill-seekers from all over for adrenaline-pumping activities like 4×4 off-roading, quad biking, and sandboarding, making it one of the region’s most coveted adventure destinations.

However, a recorded boom in 4x4s and quad bikes visiting the dunes has prompted the City Of Cape Town to draft a code of conduct to reduce harm to the environmentally sensitive area.

On Monday, deputy mayor and MMC for spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews called on residents and adventure sports operators to comment on the draft code of conduct for Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve (WANR), per TimesLIVE.

“Given the exceptional increase in activities the reserve has reached capacity,” Andrews said.

“The draft code of conduct is proposing a number of interventions to ensure the safety and security of visitors, operators and reserve personnel and continued preservation of the unique natural environment.”

The city resort has recorded a 1,501% increase in the number of visitor permits issued between 2019 and 2023. The total number of visitors increased from 4,244 during this period to 67,980. Quad biking and off-road motorcycles increased from 4,387 to 51,972 while sandboarding visitors increased from 4,057 to 4,827, or nearly 19%.

Off-road vehicle activity increased from 3,369 to 5,151, or nearly 52%. The city said the busiest months are December, January, March and April.

Image: GetYourGuide

The main concern is overcrowding, which will have an “impact on the natural and cultural environment, among which [are the] loss of ecosystem function, value and attraction,” said Andrews.

The Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve was named the 2021 Reserve of the Year. This reserve is going from strength to strength, all thanks to the dedicated staff component.

Read more: https://t.co/Kvnwvr8ABx#CTNews pic.twitter.com/kSSQ6a7m2u

— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) November 8, 2021

An increase in adventure sports accidents and the impact on the sense of place was also a concern, including on” visitors who are not participating in motorised activities, such as schools’ programmes, birdwatchers and hikers”.

Image: GetYourGuide

Andrews also included littering as an issue as well as an increase in illegal activities such as the consumption of alcohol and a negative effect on the reserve’s efforts to conserve energy and water. There was a concern about the “impact on the reserve’s conservancy tank that regularly overflows during peak visitor months” and parking.

“The city is responsible for managing and conserving the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve which is renowned for its water catchment source, surface biodiversity and mobile dunes. We agree this is an irreplaceable natural asset that must be preserved for current and future generations.

“However, we are also aware that many stakeholders rely on the reserve for their business operations and these outdoor activities contribute to the local adventure tourism industry.

Ultimately, the city wants the proposed code of conduct to find a balance between conservation and business opportunities.

The proposed code of conduct suggests capping daily permits for off-road vehicles at 80, with a strict rule that no individual or operator can claim more than half. Residents, operators, and stakeholders have until October to voice their opinions.

“Given the overcrowding and the serious challenges this poses we expect to implement the code by February next year. This timeline gives operators, in particular, about five months to prepare and adapt their operations as needed.”

While the proposed entry limits for different activities might raise some eyebrows, they are designed with both visitor safety and environmental protection in mind.

[source:timeslive]