SA builds 10 Eco-towns

  1. Posted on Wednesday 4 November 2009 - 11:15
    Mernat
    Image of Mernat
    Mernat Mafirakurewa, AfricaNews reporter in Johannesburg, South Africa Photo: Fred Hoogervorst
    At least $51,663,459 (R400 million) has been set aside by the South African government for the creating of 10 eco-towns. The towns being "created" under a project dubbed Buyesila (Give Back) is a direct response to efforts to protect the ecosystem and limit the damage brought about by climate change.
    South Africa Kruger National Park, Giraffe with a flock of red billed oxpeckers on its back, drinking water from a waterhole. Photo by: Fred Hoogervorst
    Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said the funds would be used for cleaning and greening projects. "South Africa must act now to combat climate change. Investing in the ecological infrastructure of this country is as important as building schools, roads, hospitals and houses," she said.

    “In the first phase of Project Buyesila, 10 eco-towns modelled on sustainability would be created as a legacy project. Funds would be equally divided among the proposed pilot sites,” the minister said.

    Sonjica said the project would compliment the municipal street cleaning efforts, clear up all hot spots, establish landfill sites where there are not any. It would also see the cleaning and rehabilitation of dump sites and encourage recycling as part of efforts to stop the wanton dumping of rubbish material.

    The minister said biodiversity was not about a few endangered species, but sustaining all ecosystems that underpinned service delivery. She said the restoration of degraded ecosystems would increase the ability of ecosystems to withstand climate change and adapt naturally.

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