The environment of southern Cape Peninsula, including the area known as the Glencairn (or Else River) Valley, is rich in natural assets such as biodiversity, wetlands and rivers, and dramatic scenery. Indeed, the Cape Peninsula and its surrounds have a truly extraordinary biodiversity, comparable in species richness to the rainforests of the Amazon, or the coral reefs of Indonesia, despite its tiny size. On this basis, the Cape Peninsula and entire Cape Floral Kingdom (fynbos) are recognized internationally as one of the world’s 25 Global Biodiversity Hotspots. Furthermore, due largely to its fynbos, South Africa is known internationally as one of the world’s top ‘mega-diverse’ nations.
The juxtaposition of a major city and urban sprawl with the Cape biodiversity hotspot places untenable pressure on this biodiversity. It is thus a matter of global, national and regional concern, when non-essential land transformation occurs.
These natural assets are an invaluable ecological and recreational resources for the inhabitants of Greater Cape Town, and for visitors to the City alike. They also provide the essential ecosystem services on which the health of the City and its inhabitants depend. The interests of current and future generations dictate that these resources must be vigorously protected and preserved.
The expanding population of Cape Town and their need for housing and recreational facilities, exerts increasing pressure on the environment of the southern Cape Peninsula. In particular, numerous developers have proposed, and still are proposing, projects for the construction of residential housing, commercial enterprises, telecommunications, and leisure facilities, which cumulatively degrade (and ultimately destroy) the environment of the Peninsula, including the Glencairn Valley.
Accordingly, a need exists for the protection of the environment of the Cape Peninsula. This need in the Glencairn Valley led to the establishment of the Glencairn Action Group (GAG), a Voluntary Association.
Some of the work GAG has already been involved in includes Erf 1 and Erf 60.
For further information on GAG activities, please contact Geoff Neden (gneden@googlemail.com) or Louise de Waal (dewaal.louise@googlemail.com).
