KNP TO REMOVE SIRHENI CONCRETE DAM FOR ECOLOGICAL REASONS

KNP TO REMOVE SIRHENI CONCRETE DAM FOR ECOLOGICAL REASONS

The Kruger National Park (KNP) in conjunction with South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will demolish the dam wall at Sirheni, one of the bush camps in the northern part of the Park in the week of 19 – 23 October 2015. The dam was damaged beyond repair during the 2013 floods. Explosives will be used to demolish the dam wall; after which the remains will be removed as part of the rehabilitation process.

The area around the target structure will be cleared to ensure animals and human beings are safe. Ranger and Military staff will be on the ground throughout and the road leading to the dam will also be temporarily closed. KNP has been closing redundant artificial water points for the past eight years, the last one having taken place in December last year; said the General Manager: Communications and Marketing, William Mabasa.

Artificial waterholes where water did not naturally occur previously have led to numerous ecological problems such as erosion and other environmental degradation. This also resulted in undesirable consequences for the rare herbivore species such as roan and sable antelope, increasing grazing competition by the more abundant herbivores. Conservation management has taken steps to rectify these consequences by closing and demolishing certain artificial water points. These will be replaced by naturally occurring waterholes in the area, where possible and where such ecological consequences are not likely.

“With continuous research data at our disposal, we have gradually changed our outlook on biodiversity management over the years. With this data available, policies and procedures can be revisited and revised; and that is evident in the change in policy regarding water distribution in the Park”, concluded Mabasa